Latinos Unidos Por Educación (LUPE) held its first student meeting on Jan. 23 that discussed the goals set for the spring semester. The conference call began with each student present sharing one hope and one dream they have for this semester.
LUPE is a student organization, and according to the Bakersfield College website, “it is for 1st generation college students attending BC which provides a safe haven and supportive environment. The student organization specifically targets Undocumented, and DACA students on campus. It greatly enhances students’ confidence to succeed and complete their career, and implements the practices for student success, equity, and accessibility.”
Manuel Rosas is the LUPE advisor who is also a Bakersfield College counselor and has a position within the Extended Opportunities’ Programs and Services (EOP&S).
“You’re not just going to school for yourself; you’re also going to school for your parents who sacrificed a tremendous amount to get you here,” Rosas said.
Some of the current events LUPE has planned include having workshops with the United Farmworkers Foundation, where students will have access to a representative and possibly an attorney, to ask questions about their legal rights.
Erick Plata, former LUPE president said, “Grades do not define you; they will help you get to your achievements, but what defines you is what we can do and can give back.”
LUPE’s mission statement is “to promote and provide a supportive and safe haven for undocumented students regardless of nationality, ethnic background, faith affiliation, gender and/or sexual orientation. We will inspire and uplift each other, advocate for a better life for ourselves and our community by increasing educational awareness, understanding of human rights, political advancement, and campus engagement.”
Plata mentioned the “Blue and Gold scholarship” which is meant to help students pay for college if they meet specific requirements to qualify. The LUPE organization offers many resourceful events for students and one of the ways to be updated on those events would be to follow their social media platforms.
Former (LUPE) student Jovana Espinoza currently attends California State University Bakersfield and was present at the BC conference call to visit her former classmates and advisor. “My mom told me this when I was stressing out and as long as you’re doing the most you can it should be enough and your education is never going to be a waste of time because that’s something that no one can take away from you, it’s something that’s yours that you get to keep….LUPE is like a support group for students,” Espinoza said.