University of California, San Diego M.E.Ch.A. Chapter

Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@  de Aztlan

Some Information About M.E.Ch.A. de UCSD

M.E.Ch.A. was founded at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1969, it evolved from U.M.A.S. (United Mexican American Students).  At its inception in 1969 M.E.Ch.A. was focused on the issues of Chicanos.  Over the years the struggles and spirit of M.E.Ch.A. includes those of many other people not just people of Mexican Heritage.  M.E.Ch.A. is open to the ideas and beliefs that struggles for human dignity and freedom extends to all people.

This is a BRIEF introduction to M.E.Ch.A.  M.E.Chistas have been on this campus for more than 30 years.  They played a key role in the development of the Thurgood Marshall College.  Mexican American Youth Association and Black Student Union proposed the Lumumba-Zapata college in 1969.  They wanted a college that taught classes relevant to their histories.  They took control of their educational destinies.

Today this spirit-lives on.  We provide a place for you to meet other Raza.  By helping to plan events, mentor other Chicanos/Latinos, work with the community in San Diego, or just showing up and saying hi!  You help create our community on campus. We work closely with Concilio (the Chicano staff and faculty association) so you can meet and talk with people who understand the university and who want to help you.  M.E.Ch.A. tries to incorporate the social, cultural and political to create this community on campus.  With all these elements we strive to reach this balance.  A family, a sense of spirituality, and Awareness about OUR histories.