IUPLR - DECEMBER E-mail Update


Dear Colleagues,

This IUPLR faculty newsletter contains many fellowship and grant opportunities. I hope that you will consider taking advantage of them if they meet your personal career goals and objectives. Remember the IUPLR staff and Center Directors stand ready to assist you in preparing fellowship and research grant proposals.

Next week I will be sending out a Special Issue of the IUPLR faculty newsletter. It will contain a short questionnaire prepared by colleagues who are involved in preparing a chapter for the National Academy of Sciences book on race and ethnicity. Please make time in your busy schedule to respond to this request by sharing your opinions and thoughts.

Remember there is still time to plan to join us for the 1848/1898 in 1998 Conference at Arizona State University. The conference agenda and related events look very exciting. Check out the details on their web site at: http://www.asu.edu/1848and1898at1998. I hope to see you all in Arizona.

On behalf of the entire IUPLR network, I wish you and your families a holiday season full of blessings. Feliz Navidad!


Regards,
Robert Otto Valdez, Ph.D.
Professor, Health Policy and Management, UCLA
Associate Director, Chicano Studies Research Center, UCLA
National Research Director, IUPLR
ROValdez@aol.com
http://iuplr.utexas.edu



Inside the December IUPLR E-mail Update:

* IUPLR has published a new Briefing Paper entitled "U.S. Latinos in Higher Education."
* UCLA publishes another edition of the journal Aztlan.
* Wayne State University announces a tenure-track position in Latin American culture.
* Our "In the News" section features an article about UC-Denver professor and IUPLR
Co-Director Estevan Flores.



IUPLR HEADQUARTER NEWS

IUPLR has recently published a new Briefing Paper entitled "U.S. Latinos in Higher Education." The paper was written by Susan Moreno, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. It can be found online at the IUPLR web site at: http://iuplr.utexas.edu/publications.html. For a free hard copy of this paper (vol. 1, no. 6), please contact the IUPLR headquarters at (512) 471-7100.



CENTER NEWS


Chicano Studies Research Center, UCLA

The new issue of Aztlan: A Journal of Chicano Studies is due out in early December. Aztlan is an interdisciplinary, refereed journal dedicated to scholarly research relevant to or informed by the Chicano experience. First published in 1970 and still the premier journal of Chicano studies, Aztlan is issued twice a year and edited by Chon A. Noriega of the University of California at Los Angeles. Aztlan costs $25 a year for individual subscribers and $50 for institutional subscribers, $10 extra for those outside the United States or Mexico. For further information, please see our web page at http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/esp, or e-mail us at: aztlan@csrc.ucla.edu.



FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


The Smithsonian Institution announces the Latino Studies Fellowship Program. Its purpose is to support U.S. Latino/a predoctoral, postdoctoral and senior scholars pursuing research topics that relate to U.S. Latino culture, art and history. Applicants are encouraged to propose interdisciplinary projects, using the resources of one or more Smithsonian units. Fellowship appointments are from three to twelve months with the opportunity to spend up to a third of the time in the field, but not at the home institution. Application deadline is January 15. The application can be found online at: www.si.edu/research+study. Information regarding Latino Resources at the Smithsonian can be found at: www.si.edu/resource/tours/latino. For more information or for application materials contact: Office of Fellowships and Grants, Smithsonian Institution
955 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7000, MRC 902, Washington, DC 20560-0902, or phone (202) 287-3271.


The Smithsonian Institution's Center for Museum Studies announces the 1999 Museum Leadership Skills Seminar entitled, "Diversity, Leadership and Museums," to be held March 15-19. This event is an annual five-day program that explores diversity issues in museums and provides training opportunities for enhancing leadership skills and competencies. Each selected participant will receive a financial award to be used toward travel and lodging expenses. For additional information, contact Karen Cooper at (202) 633-8991, or by e-mail: kcooper@cms.si.edu.


American Studies Summer Institutes -- US Information Agency -- seeks proposals to conduct six American Studies Institutes in the summer of 1999. Institutes are academic seminars designed for multi-national groups of foreign scholars and professionals. Application deadline is January 29, 1999. Contact: Richard Taylor, Branch for the Study of the U.S., at (202) 619-4557 for additional information, or fax: (202) 619-6790, email: rtaylor@usia.gov. Programs are designed to provide each Fellow with a unique public
policy learning experience and to bring technical backgrounds and external
perspectives to decision-making in the U.S. government. Application deadline
is January 15, 1999. Call 202-326-6700 or www.aaas.org.


Williams College announces the 1999-2000 Gaius Charles Bolin Fellowships for Minority Graduate Students. The Bolin Fellowships enable two minority graduate students to devote the bulk of their time during the academic year to the completion of dissertation work. Applicants must have completed all doctoral work except the dissertation by the end of the current academic year. The stipend for the fellowship is $26,000. Candidates should submit a full curriculum vitae, a graduate school transcript, three confidential letters of recommendation, a copy of the dissertation prospectus, and a description of teaching interests. Please send all application materials to: David L. Smith, Dean of the Faculty, Hopkins Hall, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267.


FOR YOUR STUDENTS

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus announces its 1999 Summer Internship Program, June 12-August 7. The CHCI Summer Internship is designed to heighten Hispanic student's awareness of the U.S. political system and enhance their leadership skills. The thirty selected students are assigned to congressional offices where their duties may include clerical work, responding to constituent inquiries, drafting correspondence, monitoring hearings, conducting research, and assisting with general office operations. Students also attend leadership development meetings once a week, and fulfill other program requirements, such as writing a research paper and participating in a collective community service project. The application deadline is January 29, 1999, and it can be found online at: http://www.chci.org. For more information, call (202) 543-1771 or (800) 392-3532.



FACULTY OPPORTUNITIES


Wayne State University, Department of Anthropology, invites applications for a cultural anthropologist/theorist/ethnographer with a specialization in the Latin American culture area. This is a tenure track position at the assistant/associate professor level, to begin Fall 1999. Duties include teaching, active research and publication, student recruitment, and undergraduate and graduate student advising. Active research outside the United States, and the ability to work in a four-field department are essential. Scholarly competence as evidenced by a strong publication record is necessary. Minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit curriculum vitae, letters of application, and names of three references to: Professor Marietta Baba, Chair, Department of Anthropology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202. For more information, call (313) 577-2935.


The University of North Texas is seeking applicants for a tenure track position in Mexican American History. The successful applicant will teach undergraduate and graduate courses on Mexican-American history and the U.S. history survey and be responsible for coordinating the minor in Mexican-American studies. Interested applicants should send letter of application, c.v., and at least three letters of reference to: Denis Paz, Chair, Mexican-American History Search Committee, Department of History, P.O. Box 310650, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203-0650.


The Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Texas A&M University is seeking to hire a tenured associate professor or advanced assistant professor with research and teaching specialty in Latina/Latino literature and culture. The candidate must have a commitment to, and a proven track in, developing and implementing interdisciplinary programs at the undergraduate and graduate level in Latina/Latino Studies. Letter of application and complete dossier must be received by December 15 to: Steven M. Oberhelman, Head, Modern and Classical Languages, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4238. Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer; women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.


Arizona State University invites applications for a position as a tenure track assistant professor in Chicana/o Studies (CCS) in the area of Chicana/o sociology and/or public policy. CCS is a department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to work effectively in the Mexican-American community and the broader society. Responsibilities include teaching courses in Chicana/o sociology and/or public policy and courses that reflect the applicant's training and interests; conducting research on the Chicana/o experience; and contributing to the CCS department through committee service. Send a letter of application addressing teaching and research interests, a vita, three letters of recommendation, one significant writing sample under 50 pages, and one set of current teaching evaluations to: Dr. Cordelia Candelaria, Professor, and Search Committee Chair, Department of Chicana/o Studies, Arizona State University, PO Box 872002, Tempe, Arizona 85287-2002


The University of Notre Dame is seeking an established scholar to direct its newly instituted Latino Studies Center. Candidates for the position are expected to have earned a Ph.D. and have experience in working with Latino populations and a record of research in any field related to Latino Studies. The successful candidate will provide direction and leadership for an interdisciplinary program of teaching and research focusing on the Latino experience in the United States. Please direct all applications and nominations, including a complete dossier and names of references to: Rev. Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C., Vice President and Senior Associate Provost, 234 Hayes-Healy Center, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556.


The Latina/Latino Studies Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in conjunction with the English Department, is searching for an Assistant or Associate Professor of English and Latina/Latino Studies. Please visit their web site for additional information at: http://www.lls.uiuc.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For more information, write to: Department of English, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 608 S. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801. Attention: Dennis Baron, Head, Department of English; Rolando J. Romero, Director, Latina/Latino Studies.


The Chicana/Chicano Studies Program at the University of California, Davis, seeks an assistant, associate, or full professor, with strong background in Chicana/o Studies and/or relevant comparative cultural and gender studies that would advance the interests of Chicana/o Studies. Joint appointment with another department or program may be possible. This is full time, ladder-rank tenure track position. The starting date for this position is fall quarter, 1999. Applicants should submit: a curriculum vitae; a statement of research and teaching interests; copies of published articles or other examples of scholarly writing or portfolio; and the names and addresses of at least three people from whom letters of reference may be requested. Applications should be sent to: Malaquías Montoya, Chair, Chicana/o Studies Search Committee, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA. 95616. For inquiries about the position, call (916) 752-2428, or fax (916) 752-8814.


The National Hispanic Bar Association is seeking applicants for executive director. The Executive Director is the organizations presence in DC. This person will communicate consistently with the media, funders, the legal community, association members, and national Hispanic and mainstream organizations. S/he is responsible for helping to develop and implement the HNBAs strategic plan. S/he will meet regularly with the Board of Directors to ensure their skilled and enthusiastic involvement in all aspects of the associations activities and will be responsible for the day-to-day activities, office supervision and database maintenance. To apply, please send resume, cover letter, writing samples and three references to: Lillian Apodaca, President, Crider, Calvert & Bingham, Esq., 3908 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Position will remain open until suitable candidate is found.


The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, a non-profit Latino cultural arts institution seeks a highly qualified individual as Executive Director. Candidates must have demonstrated skills and experience in the areas of fund-raising and development, fiscal management and budget oversight, facility development and management, strategic planning, and an artistic and institutional vision consistent with the mission of the Center. Qualifications include a Master's degree or equivalent work experience, five years management experience in the arts and cultural field, two years experience in a leadership position in the non-profit field, and excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish. Salary is negotiable, an the closing date is January 30, 1999. Send letter of interest and resume to: Leticia Luna, Search Committee Chair, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 1300 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX 78207, or fax: (210) 271-3480.



**IN THE NEWS**

"Latino Professor Fights For his Own"

By Michael Booth - Denver Post Staff Writer (Section Two, page two)

Nov. 3 - Estevan Flores is settling into the reality that he must always prove himself. Not just to his immediate boss, or to his family, or to the students who visit him at the University of Colorado at Denver campus. Flores knows he must prove himself to an entire culture, a whole region that is slow to grant Hispanic intellectuals the reverential labels of social scientist or policy wonk.

He directs the Latino/a Policy Institute for UCD, one of only a small handful of Hispanic-oriented think tanks in the nation. Yet his own strained history tells him to work overtime building connections between his fledgling institute and the Front Range until it becomes an indelible part of public life here. Flores wants the institute to reflect his own personality: a force that will not be denied.

"People are watching. It's a wait-and-see attitude,'' he said, not complaining, just stating a fact. "The test of all organizations is, can we be effective?'' Flores grew used to shouting his credentials and his accomplishments in public during a nasty, 16-month battle over his bid for tenure in the sociology department at CU-Boulder in 1994 and 1995. It is brutal enough to be told privately by a boss that your work doesn't merit job security, let alone a promotion.

It is quite another thing to have your alleged shortcomings debated in the press, argued for the public record at the CU Board of Regents and become the rallying point for a hunger strike. Opponents said Flores' research as a sociologist documenting the effect of government policy on Latinos was not solid enough for CU-Boulder. His supporters said he was being judged for his ethnicity, not his research, and that Hispanic scholars are not taken seriously in Boulder. Flores mustered support >from everyone he knew and from many he didn't. He accused his detractors of racism. The president of CU at the time, Judith Albino, backed Flores as a way to prove the university's commitment to minorities.

Albino took his rejected tenure to the regents for reconsideration, a highly unusual move, and Flores won by a 9-0 vote. Saying it would be impossible to continue working in the Sociology Department, he accepted a tenured position at Boulder's Center for Ethnicity and Race. When CU-Denver decided to revive its Hispanic studies with a new policy institute, Flores jumped at the chance to become a co-director last year. The Boulder experience has been hard to shake, he says. "There's a distance, social as well as physical, between Denver Latinos and Boulder,'' he said. He cannot say the tenure fight was one of those life lessons he was glad to learn. "It confirmed a lot of Latinos' bad impressions of going up to Boulder,'' he said.

Now Flores is the sole director of the institute, which has focused its resources on two areas: education and health care. Two questions Flores wants to help answer are why Hispanic students fail to graduate from high school or go on to college, and how all Hispanics can get better access to health care. At base level, Flores is the institute. He is the director and the only full-time employee. His goal has been to push ideas based on community needs rather than the abstracts of ivory tower academics. The think tank's real work is done in committees Flores created that bring together everyone from a Latina professor of romance languages in Colorado Springs to a Denver union organizer.

A symposium on proposed HMO guidelines helped influence policies dealing with Spanish-speaking patients. The people who backed Flores in his earlier fights are glad to see him now choosing his own battles on behalf of his community, while still in the university system. "It's a good thing about a big university, that we have these resources that don't have to just be disposed,'' said Evelyn Hu-DeHart, the director of the CU-Boulder ethnicity center who hired Flores. "Whatever the reason, the way the tenure system goes, we oftentimes waste very valuable resources by discarding them. I think that was a win-win situation for everybody.''

Michael Booth's stories on people and their ideas appear Tuesdays and Thursdays. His phone is (303) 820-1686. His e-mail is newsroom@denverpost.com, attention Michael Booth.



IUPLR E-mail Update compiled by:

Victor Sáenz
Graduate Research Assistant
Inter University Program for Latino Research
University of Texas at Austin
vbsaenz@mail.utexas.edu