 "Photo: Rep. Martin Sandoval")
The future of the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) program remains uncertain due to the possibility of a university-wide rescission, according to a State Legislature proposal.
Although not yet official, the State Legislature proposed a rescission of approximately five percent of the UIC operating budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The budget cut has the possibility of affecting the LARES program.
The LARES program was founded in 1975 to "assist UIC in the recruitment of Latinos and to provide academic support to increase their chances for success." Over the years, LARES has built a strong reputation for dedication to their students and to the Latino community.
Today, more Latinos graduate from UIC than any other university in the Midwest. Roughly 74 percent of the university's 3,400 Latino students receive some kind of aid or counseling from the LARES program.
Yet according to Huge Teruel, Associate Director of LARES, the program's operating budget fails to cover such basics as phone bills and copier costs. Most of the overall budget, he says is allocated to salaries for 11 counselors and "has not covered cost of living increases."
LARES overall budget is currently $600,000, an increase of 21 percent over the past five years according to Mark Rosati, vice provost of Public Affairs. LARES's operating budget, however, is about $9,000, one half of what that budget was 15 years ago.
LARES budget problems and community influence were front and center during the Latino Legislative Caucus on Oct. 28, held at the UIC Forum.
The caucus was called in an attempt to open dialogue between Chicago-area State Legislators and UIC administrators including Chancellor Eric Gislason, Vice Chancellor R. Michael Tanner and Vice Provost Carole Snow. Attendees wore T-shirts that read "LARES: Keep the Doors Open."
Those present voiced concern that UIC's stagnant annual enrollment of about 550 Latino freshmen has come to be unrepresentative of the Latino population both in the city and in the state of Illinois.
Latino population in Illinois grew almost 70 percent between 1990 and 2000. The legislative hearing also cited that the number of Latino high school graduates increased dramatically in recent years.
Yet, Latino enrollment at UIC rose by about 70 percent in 20 years, according to a statement from Vice Provost Rosati.
Citing outreach efforts, 12th district State Senator Martin Sandoval has called LARES "a critical institution […] it is the only bridge, the only lifeline for some Latino high school graduates. For many it is their last hope at the American Dream. Many may not have gone on to college without it."
During the caucus, UIC officials promised that LARES would not be merged with a multicultural program and that it would retain its influential position at the school under the Office of Academic Affairs. There were no promises made on issues of future funding.
In a recent statement for The Chicago Flame, Tanner referred to the $600,000 budget noting, "Few other units have fared as well in the stagnant budget environment of recent years."
The CHANCE Learning Center, a multicultural learning resource center on campus, currently holds a budget of $1.2 million while counseling 120 students. But, according to those interviewed, CHANCE counselors do not fully address the needs of Latino students.
Studies have shown that students are more comfortable and more successful when working with people of their own race.
"My counselor is like an older sister," says economics major Gerardo DeAnda. "They bond on you, and you bond on them. They know who you are. They know everything about you."
LARES is well known for their exceptional dedication to students, often continuing to hold counseling sessions until 6 or 7 p.m., if the need arises. Counselors sometimes represent LARES to Chicago-area high schools on weekends as volunteers.
"It's not just a paycheck, they're dedicated to serve," says Tanya Cabrera, postsecondary education coach at Benito Juarez Community Academy.
With the possibility of a rescission, the future of the LARES program remains uncertain.
"In general, throughout the turbulent and painful budget climate of recent years, the campus has done everything possible to shield academic units and those that support them, and have administrative units absorb the larger share of the reductions," reported Tanner. "But cuts of the magnitude being discussed by the State would cause pain across the board."
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