Trinity Association for Chicano Students

In the fall of 1969 Trinity University initiated a new graduate program on campus.  The Urban Studies Graduate Program was directed by Dr. Earl M Lewis, the first tenured African American professor at the university.  Summarized in the program’s self-study report of 1979, there were two main objectives of the program: 1) to educate students to assume public service positions and 2) to assist the university in its efforts to give minority students access to a quality education. The program was “designed to educate professional generalists for public service, primarily at the local level.”

Two inaugural students of the Urban Studies Program, George Chavez and Jorge Anchando, saw a void in representation and belonging for students like them.  This spanned across campus; from student organizations to classes and to faculty.  In the spring of 1970, Chavez and Anchando worked to create and get official recognition of the Trinity Association of Chicano Students. The group was recognized as an official student organization on May 6, 1970 to begin in the next academic year.

TACS hit the ground running their first semester in the fall of 1970. “The Chicano” and Mexican American culture was the feature of the September 25, 1970 issue. Anchando spoke with the Trinitonian about the organization.

Trinitonian issue from September 25, 1970.  Trinity Association of Chicano Students is featured on page 4.

TACS President Jorge Anchondo also met with newly appointed university president Ducan Wimpress on October 29, 1970.  According to correspondence Anchondo laid out several needs and requests of the Chicano students of Trinity. 

Read their responses below.  How do their takeaways and perceptions of the meeting compare?