The ASUU Diversity Board recognized the student group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan with the first annual Activism and Social Justice Award.
This award recognizes M.E.Ch.A for its excellence in community building, affirming positive identity and cultivation of leadership on campus and the Salt Lake community.
“M.E.Ch.A is about social justice and education,” said Luciano Marzulli, Latina/o Program Coordinator and M.E.Ch.A. adviser. “And on the way there, we’re hoping to encourage Latino and Chicano students to attend higher education and give back to their communities.”
M.E.Ch.A began as a national organization during the first civil rights movement in the 1960s in response to disparities students at University of California, Santa Barbara, observed in education and socioeconomic conditions among Chicana/o students and communities. Dhiraj Chand, director of the diversity board for the Associated Students of the University of Utah, said it recognized the U’s chapter of M.E.Ch.A for its continual activism at the legislature, annual high school conferences and community service.
“(M.E.Ch.A.) is one of the most active groups on campus and are creating change,” Chand said. “We wanted to recognize students for their hard work in activism. There are so many students who devote their lives to this work and they should be recognized.”
Chand said ASUU created the award to honor the work of students in creating social change.
“It’s hopeful that we can get recognition for social justice work,” Marzulli said. “Especially at a time when social justice is criticized in some circles.”