History

In the summer of 2004, Craig de Mariana Aleman, a student at the University of Delaware, recognized the need for a Latino Student Union, an organization that would unite the community under one banner, represent Latinos on campus, and work to promote leadership development and advance minority affairs, not just Latino affairs.  Together with Guillermo Febres and Melody Casagrande, The Campus Alliance de La Raza was born.

The CALR is formally affiliated with the National Council de La Raza (http://www.nclr.org) and welcomes any student into its organization, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, veteran, handicap status, or sexual orientation. We welcome diversity, because we feel that it will contribute to the success of our organization.  As a La Raza member, you will have the opportunity to participate in NCLR events, and to take part in NCLR advocacy efforts – including attending trainings, contacting and meeting with policymakers, and carrying out public education activities.  Your intellectual and social development will prepare you for your post-undergraduate endeavors, especially in the arenas of graduate and professional school education.  La Raza will produce well-rounded leaders who will excel in their respective fields. 
 

Expectations & Rewards

CALR members must always remain professional, even in the face of unprofessionalism.  Like the NCLR, the CALR turns the other cheek and always takes the high road in the face of opposition.  Following this doctrine will empower your chapter and give it the credibility and clout that it deserves.
 

Organizational Goals
The Campus Alliance de La Raza (CALR) aims to produce high quality interdisciplinary Latino leaders for the 21st Century.  Our members strive to embody excellence in every realm of their lives, especially academically and socially.  La Raza members are strongly encouraged to pursue graduate and professional degrees and are provided with the resources necessary to help them navigate respective application and transition processes.
 

Pillar of Advocacy in Pursuit of the Latino Agenda: 
Using our parent organization, The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) as our guide, the CALR works to advance the Latino Agenda.  We accomplish this by employing many mechanisms, including:

• Marches, Town Hall Forums, Calls to Action, Letters to Lawmakers, Coalition Building, Socially Conscious Programming, Voter Registration, GOTV initiatives, Election Day Poll Monitoring, etc.

Pillar of Member Intellectual and Social Development:  

A strong policy agenda does little for our community unless we are educated, informed, and able to command the arena of professionalism.  Based on this premise, the CALR places a heavy emphasis on the intellectual and social development of our members.  Examples of activities associated with this second pillar include:

• Conferences, Networking, Undergraduate Research, Art Gallery Visits, Internships, Assistantships, Graduate School Preparation, Professional School Preparation, Tutoring, Community Service