Access and Diversity Center spotlight: LatinX Student Union

On the third floor of the Taggart Student Center, just east of the Access and Diversity Center, lies the LatinX Student Union office decorated with sofas, a giant bean bag and friendly faces.

The LatinX Student Union is one of the many clubs under the Access and Diversity Center’s umbrella. The club works to provide a social support network for its members, while preserving, proliferating and empowering the vibrant Latino cultures it represents.

“LXU is open to anyone. It is aimed towards the Latino student body, but anyone can join us and participate in our club meeting activities and discussions,” said club treasurer Helder Eduardo Domínguez.

At every meeting, attendants and members are made aware of upcoming events as well as events other ethnic clubs are putting on.

LatinX Student Union

Not only does the LatinX Student Union work on campus, but they also help communities in Cache Valley.

“We keep in touch with a few high schools around the valley and we offer them help via volunteer work,” Domínguez said.

As a result the club is kept up to date about internships and jobs where club members can apply and contribute to the Latino community.

As a way to contribute to the university and the Latino community the club has taco sales throughout the semester. Proceeds go towards scholarships and club activities.  

“We offer a freshman scholarship for a local high school Latino senior,” Domínguez said.

In order to qualify for the scholarship applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.7. They also have to tell the club committee how they would contribute to USU, the LatinX Student Union, and how they are going to give back to the community.

The club can only afford one scholarship a year, but by taking their concerns to the dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences they were able to grant two scholarships last year.

“We have always wanted to grant more scholarships, but we only have the funds for one, so we brought this issue to the dean of the CHaSS department and he helped us by donating a grant big enough for two scholarship recipients last year,” said Cinira González, a club member.

One of the most pressing issues of the club is the diminishing number of members that occurs at the end of each semester.

People march in the Day of the Dead parade in Logan, Utah, Nov. 2, 2017. (Megan Nielsen)

“We are just trying to get as many people from campus involved,” Domínguez said.

The LatinX Student Union wants to bring the student body together in order to help provide resources for Latinos whenever they are in need.

“Most people don’t realize it, but Latinos have a hard time,” Domínguez said.

On September 20, 2017 Hurricane María struck Puerto Rico, devastating the island and plunging all of its 3.4 million residents into a desperate humanitarian crisis. The LatinX Student Union did two taco sale fundraisers to provide assistance to the Puerto Rican community.

“We felt like we needed to give to people who needed even though we didn’t know them personally,” Domínguez said. “Our goal is to help people who need it. As a Latino you feel accomplished knowing that you gave back to the community.”

The LatinX Student Union’s main event is the Fiesta Americas, which showcases the club and Latin American culture through artistic performances by the its members.  

LatinX Student Union

This year the theme is  “Going Back to Your Roots” and will incorporate lore from the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs.

The LatinX Student Union gets together Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center. The Fiesta Americas will be held on March 30th.

More information on the LatinX Student Union and their social media links can be found on: http://accesscenter.usu.edu/clubs/lxu

“The doors are always open; there’s always people you can talk to here,” Domínguez said.

— Farlin.pz@gmail.com

@FarBlaze