The Latino/s Studies Symposium was the scenario for a magnificent meeting of minds, providing the ideal atmosphere for researchers from across the Midwest to share their studies and discuss issues pertaining to the development of Latino/a Studies in the region. Prof. Luz Calvo, Comparative Studies, described the Symposium as: “a very successful event, attended by over 150 people from 15 different colleges and universities in the Midwest and by students, staff, faculty, and members of the OSU community, reflected the diversity of US Latino/a experience.” Prof. David Horn, Chair of the Department of Comparative Studies added that “Latino/a Studies in the Midwest was one of the most successful academic conferences I have ever attended: it combined cutting-edge scholarship with nuts and bolts discussions of how to build and sustain interdisciplinary programs. The intellectual energy was contagious, and the final workshop showed that the conversations begun here will have lasting effects.”

Important names in the field, such as the Mc Arthur Fellowship recipient, Prof. Ruth Béhar, and the editor of the new Latino Studies Journal, Suzanne Oboler, were present, and so were emerging researchers, who presented a sample of their work in history, anthropology, and cultural and literary studies. “Latino Studies is by definition an interdisciplinary field, and we wished to introduce the work of scholars not only from different disciplines, but also from different moments in the history of the field. That is why the Symposium offered presentations by both new practitioners of Latino/a Studies and senior scholars” explained Prof. Ignacio Corona, Coordinator of the Latino/a Studies program at OSU.

Scheduled after the panels devoted to recent scholarship, the Report from the Field session explored the institutional and administrative conditions that have made the emergence of Latino/a Studies possible, and those which have also challenged or hampered it. Directors of four different Latino Studies programs discussed their positive experiences, struggles and worries in the development of their programs at their home institutions. Prof. Arlene Torres, Director of the Latina/Latino Studies Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, discussed the high involvement of the student population at that institution in developing their program of studies. Professor Torres convincingly argued that the efforts of those who were involved and fought for the creation and development of the Latina/o Studies program must be acknowledged. Furthermore, Prof. Catherine Benamou, who represented Prof. María Montoya, Director of Latina/o Studies at the University of Michigan, highlighted two problems in the field: overburdened faculty, lack of funding from the administration and the Latino/a Alumni Association. Prof. Benamou argued that, when student organizations are supported by other campus organizations, the answers to their demands are obtained faster. Prof. Jorge Chapa, Director of Latino/a Studies at Indiana University, mentioned that other common problems are budget cuts and lack of faculty to teach courses. Prof. Chapa also recognized the important role of the students in developing Latino/a Studies programs. Prof. Gilberto Cárdenas, Director of the Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame, suggested that an expansion in the areas of research, engaging in community organizations, promoting civil rights for Latin@s, and reaching out to the general public through the media can offer possible solutions to some of the problems in the field. Following the panelists requests about the current situation at Ohio State, Prof. Ignacio Corona discussed some of the issues that Latino/a Studies at OSU is currently facing. Prof. Corona pointed out that one of the main problems is the absence of a Senior Faculty member in Latino/a Studies who could serve as an anchor for the further development of the program. Most of the faculty members who are associated with the Latino/a Studies program at OSU are non- tenured and, thus, have to dedicate time to their own research and serve in their own departments. Moreover, Prof. Corona explained that professors need to establish collaborations with other faculty members who do research in Latino/a Studies or other ethnic groups’ issues across regional campuses to increase retention of faculty and avoid insularity within their own institutions. Increasing the number of Senior Faculty at the different Latino/a Studies programs, to put pressure on the CIC committee, and create institutional pressure for more funding were among other possible solutions discussed in the session.
The Symposium also included a night of performance produced and directed by Prof. Angeles Romero, Visiting Assistant Professor of Latino/a Studies. Primera Cosecha was an elegantly eclectic production featuring the artistic and performing talents of the many OSU Latino faculty, staff and students who are actively engaged in raising awareness about the Latino culture.

The Symposium received support from different organizations and individuals. Prof. Luz Calvo adds: “We appreciate the support from so many different units on this campus. We hope that this event demonstrates the importance and vitality of the field of Latino/a Studies. We hope that, now, the University will support future hires in this field and increase infrastructural support for our current Latino/a Studies program.”