The Union for Puerto Rican Students (UPRS) at UIC is proud to announce its 20th annual Pa’lante conference. With the theme “We have made the path by walking –Promoting our culture and building bridges to our community,” the UPRS seeks to focus on the legacy of Puerto Rican student activism on UIC’s campus.
During the 1970’s, Latino activists from the predominantly Mexican community of Pilsen and the predominantly Puerto Rican community of Humboldt Park, along with a small number of Latino students at UIC came together to demand changes on UIC campus. Today Latino students can celebrate that legacy through the existing programs such as the Latino-Latin American Studies program, the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES), the Rafael Cintron Ortiz Latino Cultural Center, and soon the transformation of UIC into a Hispanic Serving Institution. It is in the spirit of that struggle and in celebration of those achievements on this campus that UPRS rejoices in inviting all to participate in the 20th annual Pa’Lante Conference to be held during the week of April 7th through the 11th.
Pa’Lante is the Puerto Rican expression for the word “Forward.” This year’s conference is dedicated to the centennial of two towering Puerto Rican figures: the legendary Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos and the Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar Collazo.
The highlight of the conference will be the presence of Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez who will read from his memoirs: Still Dreaming from the Barrio to Capitol Hill. His presentation will be held in Student Center East (SCE), East Terrace room from 3:30 to 4:30 on Monday, April the 7th.
Download the agenda for the entire conference.
