With the recent addition of two Latino culture courses to the Penn State curriculum, some professors and students are pushing to create a Latino studies department within the College of the Liberal Arts.

In fall 2003, English 226 (Latino/a Border Theory) and English 426 (Chicana/o Cultural Production) became the first Latino courses offered at Penn State. No additional courses have since been added.

Although the College of the Liberal Arts currently offers a Latin American studies program, Latino studies stands apart from Latin American studies by reflecting the culture of Hispanics who now live in the United States.

Ralph Rodriguez, assistant professor of English and comparative literature, said he has been working for the past six years to develop the program, along with Jane Juffer, assistant professor of English and women's studies.

"Right now it's happening within the department, as students can pursue an emphasis in Latino studies with an English major," he said. "Ideally we would like to put together an undergraduate major and minor."

Rodriguez said he and Juffer have made strides in their efforts.

Last year, Penn State's Rock Ethics Institute granted funding for a Latino studies discussion group for faculty and graduate students.

"We're on the ground of developing energy to make this happen," Rodriguez said.

Susan Welch, dean of the College of the Liberal Arts, said she is optimistic about the creation of a Latino studies program.

"I think it would be possible. We have a graduate option that's in the curriculum process pipeline right now," she said, adding that the graduate option would likely be offered within one year.

Welch said there are a few requirements for the program to be introduced at the undergraduate level.

"The crucial thing is faculty interest," she said, adding that student interest would also have to be high and the program would need to be adequately funded.

Rodriguez and Welch both said a Latino studies minor would be offered as a trial before a major in the field could be created.

Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity, said he supports Latino studies.

"We have an increasing number of students who have a Hispanic background, and there are also a lot of other people interested in that area of world history and culture," he said.

Jones added that the Hispanic population in Pennsylvania is "growing by leaps and bounds."

He said Hispanics will eventually become the majority population in the United States.

Former Latino Caucus President Veronica Barajas, a 2004 alumna, praised English 226, which she took in the fall.

"It was completely filled," she said, adding that there was a balance between students of different backgrounds. "Latino students got as much out of it as non-Latino students."

Barajas submitted a proposal to create a Latino studies program to department heads within the College of Liberal Arts and said their response was "supportive."

She added that a collaborative effort between students and faculty is the only way for the idea to be put in action.

Stephanie Hofer, vice president of Chi Upsilon Sigma Latin National Sorority and member of the Latino Caucus, said the program could enhance understanding of a culture many students know little about.

"There's a lot of things about the Latin American community that people don't understand because it's not taught," she said.