LatinX Center to Join New SMSU Affinity Center at CSUSB

By: Julia Nunez

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Joe Gutierrez

Photo Description:

(Left to right) Brian Haynes, Vice President, Student Affairs, California State University, San Bernardino, Tomás D. Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino, Diana Hernandez Aguilar, SMSU Board of Directors, Chair, CSUSB, Michael Mejia, Master of Ceremony, Aaron Burgess, Executive Director, SMSU, CSUSB, Ivan Gastelum, planning Committee Member, Carmen Prado, Planning Committee Member, Alexis Andrade, Committee Member, Helen Martinez, Committee Member, Eduardo Ramirez, Committee Member, Krystal Lozoya, Mistress of Ceremony, Emmanuel Garcia, Committee Member and Alysson Satterlund, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students, Student Affairs, California State University San Bernardino-- LatinX Center grand opening in the Santos Manuel Student Union (SU) at California State University, San Bernardino on Monday, Feb 27, 2017. The center will act as a hub for the Latino community on campus, which is estimated to make up about 60 percent of CSUSB’s students. Photo by Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB
SAN BERNARDINO>> The LatinX Center, created to provide support and inclusion to Latino students and others, opened its doors last month as the latest affinity center of the California State University, San Bernardino Santos Manuel Student Union Cross Cultural Center. “Today marks an exciting day for CSUSB, the Division of Student Affairs, the San Bernardino community, the Inland Empire region and for the students that we serve,” said Brian Haynes, CSUSB vice president of student affairs. “We are here today to celebrate the opening of the LatinX Center, where CSUSB Latino, Latina and LatinX students, their allies and supporters can congregate, exchange ideas and provide support to one another.” The center’s grand opening was held on the second floor of the Santos Manuel Student Union, in front of room 202, the location of the new affinity centers. With an approximate 60 percent Latino population on campus, the center will act as a hub for the Latino community on campus. Haynes congratulated the students that make up the LatinX planning committee for their hard work, dedication and determination. “I remember the first meeting we had. Thank you so much for stepping up and saying we need a LatinX Center here at CSUSB,” Haynes said. “As I’ve said before, long overdue.” CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales echoed Haynes comments. “I’m truly inspired by our students. That’s what gets me up every morning to come here,” Morales said. Morales went on to explain that CSUSB is the 16th largest Hispanic serving institution in the United States. According to Morales, 60 percent of the student population at CSUSB identifies as Hispanic Latino. “Within that group there is an incredible array of identities with their own proud cultures and traditions," said Morales. "And in this group in our campus we’re very proud that we in fact represent the Latino diaspora." Morales, also praised CSUSB for its emphasis on higher education and the positive affects it can have on an individual, families and the greater community. "We also know there are many barriers that must be dealt with to help historically underrepresented students realize those benefits,” Morales said. “The establishment of the LatinX Center allows us to reaffirm our commitment to diversity. We believe inclusivity makes us a robust, productive and dynamic university which embodies a culture embracing engaged learning and respecting diverse perspectives.” Diana Hernandez Aguilar, founding committee member and SMSU Board of Directors chair, echoed Morales' sentiments. “Having grown up in a school system that teaches you the very least about your culture, it is with great honor to open the LatinX Center on campus, where we can learn about different Latino cultures and express our multifaceted identities,” Aguilar said. Funded by the SMSU, the LatinX center will offer students peer-to-peer advising and tutoring, internship resources, and scholarships. The center will operate under the leadership of SMSU associate director, programs and communication, Rosemary Zometa. Plans to hiring a designated affinity center coordinator and student assistants are in the works. “The creation of our affinity centers LatinX, Pan-African, and First Peoples are a symbol of how CSUSB embraces diversity and is inclusive of all cultures,” Zometa said. “I have been honored to work with a dynamic group of students that understand the importance of building a sense of community. In addition, I would like to thank President Morales and Vice President Haynes for their leadership, support, and endorsement of the creation of our affinity centers.”