USD Magazine, Spring 2003

like co be a first-generation American. I under– stand when people complain about the bureaucracy of the INS and the difficulty of becoming a naturalized citizen. The first day on the job would have been the first I'd heard of the issue if nor for United Front." Gloria's parents both are halfTligic, an Alaskan tribe. Bue it was his sexual orienca– rion, not his ethnicity, char led him co seek our United Front. Gloria is gay, and he says belonging co United Front helped him cope with ceasing and assured him char he made the right decision by coming co USD. "I had students make fun of me," says Gloria, a former member of PRIDE and the Native American Student Organization, "There's something co be said for sirring around with folks who experienced the same rhing." Like Robert Neighbours, United From showed Gloria how co become an advocate for awareness, and how co change attitudes. As a student, he helped promote the inclu– sion of sexual orientation as a protected group in the university's non-discrimination policy, a change char went inco effect 2001. "I learned a lot about advocacy, recogniz– ing the issues and trying co do something about them," he says. "United Front caught me a lot about what folks who feel disen– franchised feel. I now know what it means co be an advocate and activist." So lee the experts debate, says Corona. She and rhe students who belong co United Front say the group helps USD graduate students with the skills necessary co serve, and improve, a global society. "Multicultural centers like che United Front serve as a reminder char, although we may have made progress, there's a need co provide safe zones for students co learn about diversity," she says. "The center is place where all students are welcome co share their unique perspectives." United From members say their work is far from finished. They would like co see the study of diversity become a general educa– tion requirement, and they continue co push for more aggressive recruitment and retention of students and faculty from diverse back– grounds. Mose important, they continue co stand up for themselves - and for each ocher. "Ir's important co look at diversity," says freshman Nicholas Severson, a member of United Front and vice president of PRIDE, "because it's all around us. " +

co be viewed by the community - as one chat is inclusive, welcoming and embracing of diversity." United From members frequencly return co their high schools and talk co minority students about attending USD. They collab– orate with the admissions office co provide campus cours, and hold posc-cour panel dis– cussions where minority students calk about their experience ac Alcala Park. Campus leaders say che organization also improves retention among culturally diverse students. "Unired From provides a caste of home for students of color on our campus, which is still predominately Caucasian," says Thomas Cosgrove, associate vice president for student affairs. "United From helps chem feel more comfortable, and it's been documented in research char multicultural centers can be important in developing a sense of belonging among students. Thar sense of belonging relates direccly co whether the student chooses co stay." O pening multicultural centers is a grow– ing trend on campuses around rhe nation, bur there is ongoing debate among experts about whether chey are a good idea. Some researchers say these organi– zations create a healthy academic environ- ment for all students, and help students learn, and encourage chem

minor was elevated co an academic major in the College ofArcs and Sciences. In chis case, United From members were heartened chat they didn't have co go ic alone. "We pushed for a major because it prepares students for a mulciculcural society," says senior Demecrios Sparacino, 22, an English major·on che ethnic studies steering commit– tee, composed mainly of United From and AS members. "Elevating ethnic studies co a major gives it legitimacy and more financial backing from the administration." United From representatives and profes– sors point out char che ethnic studies pro– gram benefits everyone on campus. English Professor Gail Perez, interim ethnic studies director, says the courses equip students co succeed in contemporary society. Without knowledge of ocher cultures and cross-cul– tural confidence, she says, they would lack a competitive edge. "Students of all ethnicities wane co be in a diverse place," she says, "because they understand chat if USD doesn't reflect the world, then they are not getting a relevant education. " Beyond che classroom, United From cakes on many ocher casks. The alliance urges che recruitment of more minority students and professors. Many of ics members serve on

co chink in deeper and more complex ways. Ochers say multicultural centers and ethnic courses encourage sepa– ratist chinking among minority students. Ask members of United Front how rhe group helps students and prepares chem for the world, and they point

"United Front taught me a lot about what folks who feel disenfranchised feel. Inow know what it means to

be an advocate and activist." Todd Gloria '00

co Todd Gloria '00. A political science major, Gloria now is the district director for Rep. Susan Davis, a San Diego Demo– crat. He supervises a staff of six and oversees day-co-day operations in che district, which stretches from ritzy Del Mar, Calif., co che low-income neighborhoods near the U.S.-Mexico border. "I work with a very diverse office and dis– trict," says the 24-year-old. "I chink I'm more sensitive co immigration issues and what it's

student committees char give input on candi– dates for administrative positions. The group also cakes a stand against prejudice and, in November, supported a rally and vigil follow– ing incidents in which diversity posters and a student's residence hall door were defaced. "The students have created a campus-wide awareness rhac hare is nor something USD wanes co be pare of," Corona says. "The stu– dents set a norm for how they wane co treat each other and how they wane chis campus

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