Controversy surrounds new full-time position

Southwestern College’s hiring of its first full-time Mexican-American Studies professor came with mixed reviews.

Many community members hailed the arrival of Dr. Gerardo Rios as a win for ethnic inclusion.Others are more critical, specifically the studentsand faculty of the Mexican-American Studies Scholars, or MAS.

In a letter addressed to the editorial board of The Sun, MAS explained why they opposed Rio’s hiring.

“For us students, having someone who is actively involved with our MAS community is extremely important but feel that unfortunately this was not prioritized in the hiring process,” the letter states. “Seeking a possible positive outcome, we have come across new information that leaves us (the students, and the community) questioning the financial possibility to fund a second MAS position.”

MAS adviser Gregorio Pantoja, who was also up for Rio’s position, has stated that his efforts are not rooted in any jealousy towards not receiving the position. He said he and other members of MAS would simply like to see the department grow and prosper.

“Just because a doctor got hired doesn’t mean that they can necessarily operate on that part of the body,” Pantoja said.

MAS circulated petitions, presented in Sweetwater School District classrooms and even set up an annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Pantoja and a colleague also drafted a faculty hiring prioritization application. The document clearly stated that the students and faculty of MAS were in need of a candidate who specialized in Chicano/Chicana Studies.

“What was a long-awaited victory for our community, and what was meant to be a victorious celebration to witness a member from our very own community pave the way for a long overdue Mexican-American Studies department, did not happen,” the letter read.

Although they were against the hiring of Rios, MAS members voted unanimously to support and immerse him into the Mexican-American Studies Committee and their work, Pantoja said. Gerardo Rios was born in the South Bay but raised in the impoverished streets of Tijuana.

“I come from poverty. I grew up in a really rough environment. When people in the U.S. talk about growing up in a rough neighborhood, I think back to my neighborhood and I say ‘this is nothing,’” he said.

He moved back to the U.S. at the age of 12 and went on to receive two Fulbright fellowships. He is an accomplished academic with two masters’ degrees in history and education, and earned a Ph.D in history.

For five semesters Professor Rios says he has made sure his classes are enlightening, yet academically rigorous. Students of Rios are required to comb through primary sources to attain information needed for research papers.

“They recreate the history for themselves,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting when I see a paper and at the end it’s citing five primary sources. Their findings are fresh; their findings complicate the established narratives. That’s really important.”

Community involvement is one of the complaints addressed in the letter sent by MAS.

Joel Ojeda, President of MAS, wishes to see the inclusion of various ethnic groups on campus.

“We just want to stand behind our statement and say that we want to make sure that the department [Rios] was hired into thrives,” Ojeda said. “We just want to make sure that we have not just Mexican-American Studies, but all ethnic studies on campus.”

During a governing board meeting held October 9, both sides were provided an opportunity to speak their peace. Protestors from MAS flooded the normally empty seats of room 214 wielding picket signs that read, “We want MAS”.

Ojeda and his supporters took to the podium and reiterated sentiments addressed in the open letter, which included the fact that a position is only now being offered after nearly thirty years of the department’s existence.

“The fact that the Mexican-American Studies position barely opened up after the program’s thirty year existence, while also being under the category of a Hispanic Serving institution is not only disappointing, but disregards any respect for our culture.”

Despite contention about the hiring process, Rios, Pantoja and MAS all share a similar hope for SWC’s students and campus. They all said that they hope for more ethnic inclusion in SWC curriculum moving forward.

Pantoja said he wants to see it expand beyond Mexican-American studies.

“We want to bring African-American studies, Asian-American studies, and gender studies,” he said. “We want to lead this campaign, but not in an elitist way. What we want to show is that there are a large population of students who are behind this.”