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![]() Michigan agriculture has undergone dramatic changes in the last 50 years. Changes in farm size, mechanization, crop diversification, and expansion to worldwide markets have all influenced the decisions farmers make in operating their businesses. Throughout these changes, migrant labor has remained a critical component in growers' efforts to respond to changing markets. Currently, consumers are demanding increased varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables. To meet this need and assure quality requires increased use of manual labor. This work is physically difficult and, in the present tight job market, growers are continually seeking ways to match the demand for crop production and their labor needs. Unlike Florida, Texas, or California, Michigan does not have a large resident population dedicated to seasonal farm work. In addition, smaller farm family size and increased employment opportunities in rural areas both increase grower dependency on migrant labor. JSRI has been actively involved in studying farmworkers throughout its history. Ten years ago the Julian Samora Research Institute published Research Report #1 profiling the needs and characteristics of farmworkers in Michigan, "Migrant and Seasonal Workers in Michigan's Agriculture: A Study of their Contributions, Characteristics, Needs, and Services" (Rochin, Santiago, and Dickey, 1989). This report documented that poor conditions (such as lack of kitchen and sanitation facilities) and unavailability of housing was a "serious problem"(61% of farmworker respondents). A subsequent JSRI study, Working Paper #20 (Siles, Elicerio, and Gonzalez, 1995), also showed that issues related to housing were prominent. This study reiterated previous perceptions that the supply of housing was a serious problem. It is a long-standing perception among growers, farmworkers,
state agency personnel and service providers that good, and usually
free, housing attracts good workers to Michigan. In the spring
of 1999, former JSRI Interim Director, Jorge Chapa, initiated
a research effort to explore the relationship between housing
and the migrant labor force. This article summarizes his study. This study is limited in scope in that it cannot be used to generalize the entire state. However, the sample covers Oceana and Berrien Counties, and the 5-county Lansing area. Together they constitute about one-eighth of the state's crop acreage and crop sales, and one-fourth of the licensed maximum capacity of migrant housing sites and labor camps in the state. These seven counties employ one-fourth of the state's 40,000 migrant farm workers. Farmworkers, growers, service providers, and selected community members were surveyed in order to obtain a broad perspective on the importance of farmworker housing. Though this sample only included relatively good farmworker housing and licensed migrant labor camps, it does give us a glimpse into the alternatives faced by farmworkers and growers and the perceptions and decisions that involve the larger community. Employer Viewpoint In Michigan, most growers who provide housing provide housing for free or pay a wage premium and view the provision of good housing as a necessary condition for access to a quality farm labor force. Providing housing is a major expenditure and operating cost for all growers. Growers that are able to provide housing for their migrant labor force have a competitive advantage over growers that do not have housing especially in what appears to be a long-term tight labor market. Housing can take the form of trailers or fixed structures (single family or duplexes to motel-type structures). Trailers are a cheaper initial investment, but are not durable and are often expensive to maintain. Fixed structures represent a much larger investment but eventually pay for themselves due to lower maintenance, durability, and greater attractiveness to workers. Some growers are hesitant to invest heavily in fixed structures since they are concerned about the long term viability of their operation. Many growers want to invest in fixed structures, but lack the initial capital and have felt frustrated at attempts to access State monies to assist them in this process due to the long waiting periods and qualifying contingencies. Another disadvantage for many of the growers is that it adds the role and duties of "landlord" to their existing responsibilities and relationships with the workers. The majority of growers surveyed reported that they prefer migrant farmworker housing to be located on the farm because it is easier to communicate with workers and conduct any needed housing repairs. The growers' overall perception is that the ability to provide free and reasonably good quality housing is critical in their efforts to attract and retain a stable labor force. Growers with better housing are more likely to employ the same families year to year. They feel there are many benefits to having a consistent and familiar work force. They think they have an enhanced relationship with the workers, the families take better care of the housing unit, and that this gives them more predictable productivity in their farm operations. Workers Perceptions Under Michigan law all migrant labor camps that house more than four workers must be licensed. Granting a license requires minimum standards designed to assure safety and health and a minimum of 100 square feet of space per person. The laws defining the minimum standards were adopted 10 years ago, and the final phase will be operational in the year 2000. Of the housing units surveyed in this study, they all had electricity though in some instances the farmworker paid this expense. All units also had a stove, refrigerator, and some furniture. Workers supplemented the units with furnishings they received from area agencies or purchased. All units had bathrooms although almost 15% had communal toilets and shower facilities. The biggest concerns that workers expressed were lack of access to washing machines and telephones. Dryers and cable television connections were seen as luxury items though some farms did have satellite TV available. In many instances farmworkers saw it as inappropriate to suggest changes to housing they did not own and occupied only temporarily. Other workers implied that they could tolerate "inconveniences" and "inadequacies" in housing because of the relatively short duration of their seasonal employment. In comparing housing in Michigan to housing in other states, most workers gave relatively high marks to their current housing. Many other states charge for housing and that is seen as a significant disadvantage. Keeping in mind that the survey only included licensed camps, workers generally noted differences in the quality of the housing itself and indicated that the availability of quality housing is a factor in their selection of employment. Labor Shortage and Housing Though both growers and farmworkers emphasize the importance
of the availability of good housing, it is not a sufficient condition
to have adequate farm labor. Growers in Oceana County reported
that though the demand for hand-harvested fruits and vegetables,
such as asparagus, cherries, and apples, has increased it is
difficult to find local people willing to work on farms. While
growers' need for labor has increased, the labor market has tightened
and unemployment rates dropped. Consequently, there is a higher
demand for farmworkers when there are better job opportunities
available in other sectors in the local economy. Golf course, nurseries, processing and packing plants, and service sector jobs are able to provide equal or higher wages for less labor-intensive work. As a result, many growers are experiencing a labor shortage in the farming sector. In the words of one grower, "lack of willing labor will continue to be the number one problem in operating and expanding agricultural business." Forty-two percent of the 114 farms responding reported that, in the last five years, they lost money due to a labor shortage. Of the 48 farms that reported losing money, 63% reported that, in their opinion, the shortage of labor was associated, at least in part, with a lack of migrant farmworker housing. A large proportion of the growers who reported labor shortages own or rent some housing for their workers, but still do not have enough housing to meet their labor needs at peak times of the year. It is expected that growers who do not own migrant farmworker housing, or provide it, will experience an even more difficult time finding migrant farm labor and adequate housing at certain times of the year. Growers as Landlords? Rental housing in rural communities and housing available for short-term use is limited. Also, there were some indications that some landlords preferred not to rent to migrant families. Housing that is far from the job is seen as inadequate by the grower. The worker views any housing they must pay for as inadequate. Previous housing arrangements such as "borrowing" workers who live in other grower owned housing is not seen as feasible. The closing of many older housing units due to increased regulation, and fear of lawsuits, has also made things difficult. Growers are increasingly unwilling to assume the liability associated with extending the effort to be a landlord for someone else's workers. The relationship between a farmworker housing shortage and a labor market shortage is complex. Current trends in crops and farming place more emphasis on hand-harvested crops and a move to fresh packing, while at the same time there is a tightened labor market. This indicates the need for migrant workers to remain in an area for a longer period of time, causing housing needs to be viewed differently. Growers who do not view the provision of housing as an investment or operating expense (especially small and marginal operations) have few options. Growers who did not want the work associated with being a landlord or managing housing are in the same position. The results from this study suggest that providing housing is necessary, but not sufficient to assure a quality labor force. The tight labor market is a fundamental factor causing some growers to complain about both a labor shortage and a housing shortage. Other Factors Growers and workers both expressed concerns about other factors. One primary concern related to questions about the legal status of workers. Growers need a stable work force for set periods of time. Disruption of this work force at critical points in the operation can mean loss of their entire crop. Workers want the opportunity to earn money and better the lives of their families. Questions of immigration status affect all their decisions from selection of jobs to length of stay in the community. Growers raised numerous concerns about governmental housing programs. These ranged from complex application forms to extremely long waiting periods for availability of funds. A number of growers also raised questions about the local implementation of existing statutes. They expressed frustration over regulations for migrant housing on their farms that they feel are stricter than local regulations. They also expressed frustration with uneven enforcement of the housing regulations. Finally, they voiced concerns over lawsuits from Migrant Legal Services related to their housing. In many instances, the growers stated they want to provide good housing, but are concerned about the increased exposure and risk this brings to their entire operation. An additional area of concern is the integration of the farmworker into the community. Migrant farmworkers and agricultural communities are mutually dependent on each other for their livelihoods. Yet despite this mutual dependence, these two groups often maintain antagonistic relationships that affect housing supply. Growers and community members acknowledge that there is a
difference between migrant farmworkers who are in the community
for only a few weeks and those that are in the area longer. Farmworkers
that are here for a short time are less likely to be involved
in community events because they spend most of their time working.
Workers that remain longer frequently have children in school
and use other community resources more often. Reasonable access
to community services, such as doctors' offices, schools and
community events, are important to the migrant workers. Feeling
welcome at the grocery store, gas station, and parks shapes the
farmworkers experience of the community. In general, growers acknowledged the economic contribution of farmworkers. They saw access to services such as health care as an extension of their investment in labor. However, many community members expressed a differing opinion. Many local residents perceive the migrant farmworker population as "using" the system in order to benefit from the social services offered. Many farming communities have fragile economies and fear that an influx of farmworkers can strain community and educational resources. Some pointed to the burden of providing transportation to school for children while others emphasized the impact of larger classes. "This produces additional strains on resources that effects all our students, not just the migrant students," one person noted in the survey. Still others believe farmworkers and their families are an integral part of the communities' economy. But, as another person noted, it is hard for local citizens, with low-paying jobs and high childcare expenses, to see migrant families receive government assistance for food and health care needs. Community members also expressed positive perceptions of farmworkers within the community. They saw the supply of farmworkers, both as workers and as consumers who return much of their wages to the community, as a boom to their economy. Others commented on the enriching effects of diversity within the community. Farmers recognize their business is part of the community, and a few growers explained how they dealt with issues associated with migrant farmworker housing. They tried to minimize the issues around new construction by talking with neighbors ahead of time and by maintaining their existing housing. Most growers expect their need for migrant farm labor to remain constant or increase over the next five years. Issues such as housing, legal status, and community integration are critical to the balance between labor supply and agricultural production and these must be addressed if Michigan agriculture is to remain competitive in the world market. The complete version of Chapa's will appear as a JSRI working paper. The Julian Samora Research Institute, Libraries, and University Archives have been awarded $50,000 from the Vice-Provost for Library Computing and Technology and the Office of the Provost to digitize and make accessible worldwide the papers and writings of Julian Samora. Dr. Samora, a prominent sociologist whose research focused on Chicanos/Latinos in the Midwest, had a major impact within the field of sociology as well as all social sciences. He was not only a pioneer in Mexican-American studies, but he was also a National Council of La Raza co-founder. Dr. Samora also created the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), which impacted bilingual education and immigration nationwide. Dr. Samora's papers are spread across three sites (JSRI, University of Texas at Austin, and Notre Dame), and consist of text, photographs, audio, video, and personal artifacts. Research on Samora is made difficult by the separation of materials, necessitating travel to these distant locations. The purpose of the Julian Samora Virtual Collection is to make all textual materials (published and private papers) available on the web, as well as samples of the photographs, audio, video, and artifacts related to his work, and to provide links to related research on Chicanos/Latinos in the Midwest. An important side effect of the project will be that Samora's papers and artifacts will be properly identified, cataloged, and preserved for posterity. JSRI, the Libraries, and Archives have committed substantial staff resources to this project. It is anticipated that once the initial project is underway, external funding will be pursued to enable this collaborative project to continue.The Julian Samora Virtual Collection will provide worldwide access to the papers and publications of a renowned scholar and will preserve Dr. Samora's papers for posterity.
![]() In July, I was invited by the Dean of the College of Social Science to assume the role of Interim Director. After completing my term as Chair of the Department of Geography, my intention was to return to teaching and research in the Urban and Regional Planning Program. I accepted the Interim appointment because I felt that with my academic and administrative experience I could contribute to furthering the mission of the Institute. I am happy to say that I have received valuable support from staff and faculty and I feel very optimistic about the future of JSRI. One priority is to reenergize the research focus of the Institute. This year, partnering with other units on campus, the Institute hired three new Chicano/Latino faculty. These faculty members will significantly increase the research capacity of the Institute for addressing research questions related to the needs of the Chicano/Latino community. One new faculty member is Linda M. Hunt. She comes as an Associate Professor from the University of Texas at San Antonio and her areas of interest are in culture and health issues, and applied medical anthropology. Rose Colon, an Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychology, completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Health Services Veterans Health Administration and specializes in health psychology and health services research. Our third new faculty hire is Cynthia Perez McCluskey who was introduced in our last issue of Nexo. She is completing her dissertation and will become an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice. With these new faculty and others, my goal is for JSRI to began research on health and environmental research questions related to the Latino community, with special attention to the well being of Michigan migrant-seasonal agricultural workers and their families. We are continuing the outreach role of the Institute but would like to pursue new directions. We are very interested in becoming a catalyst for initiatives that cut across the roles of various support units on campus. JSRI and other units, like the Office of Minority Student Affairs, are getting close to implementing a mentoring program for Chicano/Latino students at MSU. This project seeks to create a supportive environment for incoming college students. Students will be matched with upper division peers and faculty and develop activities to increase minority participation and retention. On a larger scale, JSRI and other partners inside and outside the University have also responded to the Kellogg's Foundation ENLACE Initiative by preparing a proposal for strengthening the educational pipeline for Latino young people. Later in the year, we also plan to develop an internship program for our students. One project we are very excited about is the Julian Samora Virtual Collection. Together with MSU Libraries and University Archives, the Institute will create a web-based digital collection to disseminate Dr. Samora's papers and publications, and preserve his artifacts for posterity. These are just examples of JSRI's initiatives that are presently underway. In this issue you will find more details about these and other projects. If you have ideas to share or wish to know more the Institute, please contact us at jsamorai@msu.edu. René C. Hinojosa ![]() Dr. Jorge Chapa, who served as JSRI's Interim Director during the 1998-99 academic year, became Professor and Founding Director of Indiana University's Latino Studies in September. Meanwhile, Dr. René C. Hinojosa accepted JSRI's Interim Director assignment for at least one year while college and MSU officials undertake a nationwide search for the Institute's Permanent Director. Before coming to MSU, Chapa was a faculty member of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin. As a demographer whose interests include population perspectives, race relations, and minorities in higher education, his areas of expertise include statistics, demography, economic development, and information systems. He is an accomplished author whose research has focused on Hispanic population characteristics and growth and their implications on U.S. social policy. At UT-Austin, he served as Associate Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies and Director of the Graduate Opportunity Program and was responsible for the recruitment and retention of minority students in most of UT-Austin's graduate and professional programs. He attributed recruitment and retention improvements there to aggressive programs and increases in fellowship funds. As a sociologist and demographer, Chapa's participation as JSRI's Interim Director sparked renewed interest in numerous aspects of Latino communities. In just 12 months, he initiated several research studies on migrant farmworker housing, spearheaded efforts to explore and identify new sources of funding for JSRI, and improved the Institute's technical capabilities. Maria A. Mejia, a senior in Political Science Pre-law and a 2-year JSRI student worker, was a McNair/SROP Scholar at MSU this summer. She reviewed and assessed a JSRI co-sponsored study, "Faculty Perspectives of Diversity in Higher Education," for her final project. By using a survey, her study explored if faculty members perceived a diverse classroom positively affected teaching and learning. Furthermore, it tried to find out if there existed a relationship between faculty members' attitudes on diversity and their academic field. Statistical analysis concluded that faculty members do perceive the presence of a diverse student class composition increases classroom interaction and that this is important for enhancing the quality of learning. The results also indicate that professors who are female, liberal, moderate, young, and from social sciences backgrounds tend to place more importance on diversity in the classroom. On July 26, 1999, Raul Yzaguirre of the National Council of
La Raza (NCLR) announced the release of a report, "The Mainstreaming
of Hate: A Report on Latinos and Harassment, Hate Violence, and
Law Enforcement Abuse in the '90s" at their annual conference
in Texas. Carmen T. Joge, a NCLR Civil Rights Policy Analyst,
highlighted the report while she was a JSRI Visiting Scholar
in early October. The NCLR report represents efforts to document growing patterns of harassment, violence, and abuse against Hispanics. The acts of violence are not simply "hate crimes" violence motivated by preformed bias based solely on race, religion, ethnicity or national origin, or sexual orientation. These crimes are not limited to commonly-known hate groups, but also include acts of violence by law enforcement agents and Hispanics themselves, according to a NCLR news release. Dozens of instances of hate violence, vigilantism, and abuse, some of which NCLR says is being published for the first time, are listed in the report. "Traditional" hate crimes against Hispanics have increased, the report concluded. In 1993, the first year federal hate crime statistics were compiled, there were 472 anti-Hispanic incidents reported nationwide. That increased almost 20% in a 2-year period and the latest figures show a growing rate of bias-motivated crimes. The perception that Latinos are "foreigners," "un-American," or "illegal" immigrants contributes to these acts of violence, the report states. This report reflects other research showing persistent problems of police abuse across the U.S. It cited numerous incidents of property seizures, racial profiling, and questionable arrests. Latinos are also becoming perpetrators of hate crimes, especially in California, the NCLR report shows. In 1995, the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations found Latinos to be 22% of the perpetrators of racial hate crimes and 30% of those based on sexual orientation. By 1997, those figures rose by 12% and 1%, respectively. The pattern continues in San Diego County where Latinos were reportedly 27% of the perpetrators of hate crimes - 33% of those committed against African Americans and 31% against gays/lesbians. "Although these incidents are technically different, they are linked by a common thread," Yzaguirre said. "This behavior is especially troubling because it suggests that, increasingly, hate is being mainstreamed." The report indicates a number of conditions contribute to this violence and abuse, including the pervasiveness of racism and stereotypes, the media's portrayals of Latinos, demographic changes, ethnic tensions, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the absence of effective deterrents and remedies. Recommendations for eliminating similar acts of violence and abuse were included by Joge in her presentation. The full report is available by contacting NCLR. Chicano/Latino Studies (CLS) is a program designed to focus on the histories and the cultures of Chicanas/Chicanos and Latinas/Latinos. As an academic discipline, Chicano/Latino Studies began nationally, over 30 years ago, to acknowledge the historical, cultural, and social contributions of the diverse indo-afro-hispano citizens of the U.S. over the last 500 years. Traditionally, it bases its academic programs on an interdisciplinary model in the humanities and social sciences and considers having close ties to the community an essential element. At Michigan State University, the CLS program coordinates the Chicano/Latino Specialization, oversees curriculum development, mentors and advises students, and promotes close faculty, staff, and student relations. In addition, it sponsors academic and cultural activities that benefit not only the university, but also the larger community in the area. The Chicano/Latino population in the United States has increased steadily in the last half of the 20th Century. According to recent projections, by the turn of the century Chicano/Latinos will represent 10% of the population and, by 2010, they will be the largest minority group in the country. Within the U.S., the most rapid growth of Latino communities is occurring in the Midwest. By 1990, there were 2 million Latinos in the Midwest, of which over 202,000 lived in Michigan. The number of college-age Latinos is proportionately greater than the college-age segment in the rest of the population as a whole. At the crux of the demographic transformation are the myriad ways communities of Chicanos/Latinos are formed, and the quality of life within those communities. Issues of multiculturalism, racial and ethnic diversity, and new social institutions are at the forefront of public concerns and policies as the demographics of the United States continue to change. A study of issues related to identity, culture, ethnicity, and community formation reveals the history, acculturation, politicization, and socioeconomic conditions of minorities and highlights the significance of studies of ethnicity, race, gender, and inequality in the United States today. With the heightened globalization of trade, transnational employment, and economic transactions across nations, the place of Latinos in the new world order becomes even more significant. Thus, there is a greater demand for Latinos with more employment diversification, specialized skills, and knowledge of the issues at stake for our communities.
Participating in CLS courses represents a unique and challenging way to study the status and conditions of ethnic minorities and emerging populations in the United States. Courses in CLS vary by semester. See our webpage at www.cls.msu.edu for updated course schedules. The specialization in Chicano/Latino Studies (CLS), administered by the College of Social Science, is an elective available to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University. The specialization complements a number of major fields, including education, social work, law, government service, business, or any area addressing the issues and needs of ethnic communities. It will be especially productive for those who wish to pursue a graduate degree, either in the humanities or social sciences, focusing on the Chicano/Latino. The specialization provides students opportunities to: o gain a knowledge of Chicano/Latino scholarship and scholars; o enrich their majors by addressing issues of ethnicity, race, gender, and social inequality; o apply the knowledge that they gain to the study of Latino communities and life. The specialization draws on research, teaching, and community service that: o focus intensively on the histories of different racial and cultural sub-groups of Chicanos/Latinos; o draw larger theoretical lessons from comparisons among these groups and between non-Latino populations; o seek to articulate general principles that shape racial and ethnic relations; o explore how ethnic identity is constructed and reconstructed over time; o develop methodologies and principles which empower students to enhance leadership and human relations within diverse communities of peoples and conditions. Advising for Chicano/Latino studies is coordinated by Dr. Theresa Melendez . ![]() Linda M. Hunt has been appointed as an Associate Professor in Anthropology at MSU. She is a medical anthropologist and has published extensively on cultural factors in health care. She is currently completing a NIH study of communication and decision making in prenatal genetic screening among low income Hispanic women in South Texas. Cynthia Perez McCluskey is currently teaching a Criminology course (CJ220) and a Criminal Justice special topics section on Latinos, Crime, and Victimization (CJ491). She has also been working with the School of Criminal Justice's Dr. Tim Bynum on a research project about an early chronic truancy program in Michigan. In addition to evaluating the initiative, they are interested in identifying the precursors and long-term consequences of chronic truancy in a multiethnic Midwest communities. Congratulations to Rene Rosenbaum on receiving tenure with promotion to Associate Professor in the Department of Resource Development. Dr. Rosenbaum is the official Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Project Representative for "The Impact of Immigration on Rural America" project. The focus of his work is on the social and economic impact of Latinos on Agribusiness and on rural communities. Marcello Siles, a long-time JSRI associate and currently Co-Director of the Social Capital Initiative, is now devoting 25% of his time to coordinating research on Latino issues for JSRI. He has also participated in the development of the ENLACE proposal for JSRI.
JSRI would also like to recognize other new Chicano/Latino faculty at MSU this year: Margie Rodriguez (Social Work), Sissi Foster (Landscape Architecture), and Patricia Machemer (Landscape Architecture). Teresa Melendez, Director of the Chicano/Latino studies program, is focusing her research on issues of identity and Chicano/Latino community issues in the Midwest. She is also participating in the Oral History Project, Border Studies Initiative, and Long Distance Learning. Carrie Guzman continues her work with the joint MSU/UofM "Communities of Color and Genetics Policy" Project. Her focus is the inclusion of the Latino/Hispanic community in the policy making process. Juan Marinez, MSUE and JSRI, is participating in a 2-year Inter-Agency Program Agreement while serving as National Program Coordinator for farmworkers in Washington, D.C. His accomplishments include work on a $20 million grant to assist farmworkers who cannot work because of natural disasters, participation in the Extension Research Service and Symposium on rural farmworker communities, and a research project that examines factors contributing to the transition from farmworker to farm owner. Rose Colon was recently appointed as an Assistant Professor in MSU's Department of Psychology. Her research centers on acculturation processes, chronic illness, and healthcare services for Latino populations. She recently concluded a study examining the processes of familism and fatalism, and health service utilization among Latino veterans. She will be teaching Health Psychology next Spring. Joe Spielberg, former JSRI Interim Director, will retire at the end of this academic year. JSRI appreciates the contributions of Dr. Spielberg to the mission of the Institute.
JSRI announces its scholarship program for distribution at the awards ceremony of the Social Science College Convocation next Spring. The Julian Samora Endowed Scholarship was established by Dr. Julian Samora, his family, and many friends. The fund supports undergraduate and graduate scholarships for social science students engaged in scholarly activity compatible with the goals of JSRI. JSRI is seeking to expand these scholarships to students in other majors. Applicants must demonstrate good academic standing and service to the Chicano/Latino community. Scholarship awards are anticipated in the amount of $600 and awards appear as tuition bill credits. Applicants must submit the following: latest course transcripts; a personal statement describing accomplishments, research and educational interests, and goals as a Chicano/Latino student; and one letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor. Submissions must arrive before 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2000 at JSRI (Att: Laurie Briseño), 112 Paolucci Bldg., MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824. For more info, call (517) 432-1317 or e-mail: <briseno@msu.edu> Cifras-11 "Latinos in Indiana: On the Throes of Growth" OC-37 "Immigrants in the Delmarva Poultry Processing Industry: The Changing Face of Georgetown, Delaware and Environs" OC-41 "Mexican American Children's Ethnic Pride and Internalized Racism" OC-47 "Culturally Competent HIV Prevention With Mexican/Chicano Farmworkers" OC-46 "New Development in Mestizo Psychology: Theory, Research, and Application" OC-48 "Comunidad: Promoting the Educational Persistence and Success of Chicana/o College Students" OC-52 "Towards a New Chicana/o History: An Introductory Overview" OC-53 "Chicano Drivers of Ideas in Anthropology Across Space and Place: Pre-Postmodern Debts to Chicano Studies and Others" OC-56 "Carlos Lopez: A Forgotten Michigan Painter" OC-58 "Objectivity, Scholarship, and Advocacy: The Chicano/Latino Scholar in America" OC-60 "Con Sus Calzones Al Reves, With his Underpants on Inside Out: Cultural Economy and Patriarchy in Pablo de la Guerra's Letters to Josefa Moreno de la Guerra, 1851-1872" OC-64 "Exiles, Migrants, Settlers, and Natives: Literary Representations of Chicano/as and Mexicans in the Midwest" OC-69 "The Concept of Acculturation in Health Research: Assumptions about Rationality and Progress" RR-26 "Latino Immigrants, Meatpacking Work, and Rural Communities: A Nebraska Case Study" RR-30 "Transformations: The Post-Immigrant Generation in an Age of Diversity" WP-38 "Rethinking Violence in the Educational Crisis of U.S. Latinos" WP-39 "Transformations: The Post-Immigrant Generation in an Age of Diversity" WP-43 "A Spatial Study of the Mobility of Hispanics in Illinois and the Implications for Educational Institutions" WP-44 "Latina Mothers' Involvement in their Children's Schooling: The Role of Maternal Education and Acculturation" ![]() ![]() In an age when people are collecting everything from metal lunchboxes to Beanie Babies, Gil Salazar is collecting memories baseball and softball memories from Lansing's Latin-American leagues. Salazar's efforts are more for historical purposes than for prosperity, he says. He has devoted decades, first as a sports writer for El Renacimiento newspaper and now as future publisher of Lansing's Latin-American Leagues: A History in the Making, to preserving the imagery and information about these leagues. This bilingual book is now in its final stages of preparation and contains more than 120 team and individual photographs collected from sources statewide. JSRI assisted Salazar in the project, devoting layout design services and technical advise. Salazar hopes the final product will be available for the Christmas holidays. ENLACE is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation multi-year grant initiative to strengthen the educational pipeline and increase opportunities for Latinos to enter and complete college. ENLACE aims to serve as a catalyst to strengthen partnerships and create coalitions among higher education institutions, K-12 school districts, communities, businesses, and other partners that are working to increase opportunities for Latinos to enter and complete college. In response to this initative JSRI, on behalf of Michigan State University, has worked in conjunction with the Lansing School District, Lansing Community College, Cristo Rey Community Center, and business partners such as Uniboring and In-Line Design corporations in submitting a proposal for funding by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Successfuly funded projects will be announced by the end of the year. Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences will have a special issue devoted to "The Latino Experience in the Great Plains." The submission deadline is March 15, 2000. Manuscripts from both the natural and social sciences will be considered. Relevant issues and topics include, but are not limited to: Impact of Latinos on Regional Economies and the Labor Force; Educational, Communication, and Language Challenges for Organizations, Institutions, Schools and Businesses; Community Planning and Development Issues Attributable to the Rapidly Increasing Latino Population; Safety and Health Needs for Latino Workers; Access to Healthcare Services; and Legal and Social Policy Concerns Regarding Latino Immigrant Families. For more information, contact Guxtavo Carlo, 1215 Oldfather Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0317. Phone: (402) 472-6970. Internet: <gpr@unlinfo.unl.edu> Fellowship Opportunities Fellowships on Religion and Immigration or Fellowships on International Migration to the United States are available through the Social Science Research Council. These target predoctoral and postdoctoral work that fosters innovative research and advance theoretical understanding of the immigration experience. For further information, contact: Social Science Research Council, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019. Internet: <www.ssrc.org > Minority Summer Dissertation Workshop, Social Science Research Council, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019. Internet: <www.ssrc.org>. Students from minority ethnic and racial backgrounds can apply for fellowships to participate in a 3-week summer workshop designed to help their development of dissertation research projects and funding proposals on all topics related to international migration to the United States. Applications must be postmarked by: Jan. 12, 2000. Gates Millennium Scholars Program will provide scholarships and fellowships for outstanding low-income Hispanic American, African-American, Native American, and Asian American students to attend undergraduate and graduate institutions. The program offers scholarships starting with the 2000-2001 academic year. Information is available from the Minority On-Line Information Service (MOLIS) at <www.sciencewise.com/molis/>. Click on the "Notice/News" then "Gates Millennium Scholars Program" Other scholarships and fellowships are also available at this site. American Psychological Association (APA) offers psychologists an invaluable public policy learning experience that contributes to an effective use of psychological knowledge in government and broadens awareness about the value of psychology-government interaction. Fellows spend a year working as special legislative assistants to Congress or a Congressional Committee. Activities involve conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in Congressional hearings and debates, preparing briefings, and writing speeches. Fellows also attend orientation programs and a year-long seminar series on science and public issues. Fellows must demonstrate competence in scientific and/or professional psychology and have strong interests in applying psychological knowledge to the solution of societal problems. Fellows must work quickly, communicate effectively, and cooperate with individuals having diverse viewpoints. Applicants must be an APA member (or an applicant for membership) and have a doctorate in psychology. Applicants considered for the 'Senior Congressional Fellow' position must have a minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral experience. APA sponsors four Fellows for 1-year appointments beginning next September; one fellowship is awarded for work on policy related to HIV/AIDS. There is a Fellowship stipend and relocation allowance. Submit a detailed vita, a 1,000-word statement addressing your interests in the fellowship, career goals, contributions that can be made to the legislative process, and what you expect from the experience, and three letters of reference. For more information, contact: APA Congressional Fellowship Program, Public Policy Office, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002-4242. Phone: (202) 336-6062. E-mail and Internet: ppo@apa.org or <http://www.apa.org>. |
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