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Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx community at Stanford University: FAQ

After using this guide, Stanford Libraries users will be able to identify and access primary and secondary sources about the history of the Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx community at Stanford University.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the "1994 Hunger Strike"?

(Image Credit: Center of Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity)

During the spring of 1994, Stanford University was undergoing budget cuts across the university. Without much notice, the highest ranking Latina administrator at the time, Cecilia Burciaga, was laid off during a wave of budget cuts. Cecilia had been an outspoken voice for Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx students, and at times very critical toward Stanford administration. She was highly respected among the Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx community. 

Later in May 1994, during one of the Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx Sunday Film Series, which was traditionally held at the Memorial Auditorium, several Latino students received racist epithets during the event. A group of student leaders associated with MEChA would go on to lead a hunger strike. For three days, students set up camp in the Quad in front of Memorial Church, demanding that Stanford Administration acknowledge what the Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx community believed were issues that needed to be addressed in order to strengthen the standing of all minorities at Stanford University. 

Some demands included: 

  • Rehiring of Cecilia Burciaga, former Provost for Chicano affairs and the highest ranking Latina administrator
  • A ban on grapes (as field workers were disproportionately exposed to pesticides)
  • The establishment of a community center in East Palo Alto

These efforts, along with the disruption of a Faculty Senate meeting by the Concerned Students for Asian American Studies led directly to the founding of the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity in 1997/1998.

This guide includes related photographs and Stanford Daily coverage (2014), as well as interviews and discussions (1994) with the many persons involved in this historic event. The Hunger Strike is also discussed in Stanford—Our University. El Centro Chicano y Latino—A Pillar of the Community, a history written by former Director of El Centro Chicano y Latino and Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Frances Morales.

Why was 1967 a turning point for Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx Stanford students?

                  

(Image credit: Medium Publishing)      

On May 9, 1967, four Stanford students (Frank Sotomayor, AM ’67, Frank Ponce, AM ’68, Luis Nogales, JD Law ’69 and Robert Anchondo, AB ’69) wrote a letter to the Stanford Dean of Admissions, Rixford Snyder, requesting that recruitment and diversity increase for all Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx Stanford students and faculty. Dean Rixford Snyder response is seen as a great success for diversity, because Dean Snyder agreed that Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx Stanford students recruitment practices needed improvement and a renewed focus to their community involvement at Stanford was needed.

The 1967 letter is primarily seen as a turning point and success for Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx Stanford students because the enrolment of students increased from 40 in 1967 (mostly Mexican-American), to hundreds of Latin students originating from all of the Americas in the 1970s.

More information about the 1967 turning point letter can be found at the Medium Publishing Platform, Stanford Daily and also in the video entitled, "History of Latinos at Estanfor."

Who was the first Latino to graduate from Stanford University?

(Image Credit: Carlos Cortés)

When Stanford opened on October 1, 1891, there were no Latinos enrolled at the school. According to Professor Al Camarillo, Carlos Eliseo Cortes (B.A. Civil Engineering, 1905) transferred from the University of Santa Clara and graduated from Stanford University in 1905. More information about Carlos Eliseo Cortes' story can be found in a March 2020 article in The Press-Enterprise. 

Who was the first Latina to graduate from Stanford University?

Helen Gertrude Dominguez (B.A. in English, 1920) transferred from Occidental College and graduated from Stanford University in 1920. More information about Helen Gertrude Dominguez can be found in Stanford Magazine.

Who was the first tenured Chicana/o-Latina/o-Latinx professor at Stanford University?

(Image Credit: La Bloga)

Dr. Arturo Islas was the first tenured Chicana/o-Latina/o professor at Stanford University.  He earned his B.A. degree in 1960, an M.A. in 1965, and a Ph.D. in 1971, becoming the first Chicano in the United States to earn a doctoral degree in English. Professor Islas taught at Stanford for 20 years until his death on February 15, 1991. He helped shape many of the support systems that were fundamental to students, such as the Chicano Fellows Program and the Stanford Center for Chicano Research of which he was Co-Director. Dr. Islas was inducted into Stanford's Multicultural Hall of Fame in 1999. More information about Dr. Islas can be found at the Texas State Historical Association website and via Searchworks, the library catalog

Did Jim Plunkett really attend Stanford University?

Jim Plunkett played football (quarterback) for Stanford University from 1968-1970. He accumulated several accolades during his career including Stanford's only Heisman Trophy (1970) in its school history. Jim was also selected first overall in the 1971 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. However, most of his greatest NFL accomplishments were made during his stint with the Oakland Raiders (1978-1986).  

His career accomplishments include:

  • Heisman Trophy 1970
  • NFL 1971 Rookie of the year 
  • NFL Super Bowl Champion (XV, XVIII)
  • NFL Super Bowl XV Most Valuable Player

More information about Chicana/o-Latina/o football players and Jim Plunkett can found in this volume