University of California, Irvine. Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán.

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de AztláŁn (MEChA) is a national student organization that promotes Chicano education, political activism, culture, and history. One of its principal aims is to expand Chicano enrollment in and graduation from colleges. It is dedicated to socializing and politicizing students in the "ideals del movimiento" to gain self determination and fight against forces of oppression. MEChA was established in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 following a series of conferences at schools and universities in California that drew attention to the needs and interests of Chicano students. T he document "El Plan de Santa Barbara" described how MEChA intended to tie together various student organizations in the Southwest to "respond as a unit to oppression and racism" and carry out "campaigns of liberation for our people." At the University of California, Irvine (UCI), MEChA absorbed the United Mexican American Students (UMAS), an earlier organization with similar goals, circa 1969-1970. Since then, MEChA de UCI has sponsored events such as Mes de la Raza, youth conferences, Cinco de Mayo, and Chicano graduation. The group has also been active in promoting a Chicano studies program at UCI and representing Chicano interests during the development and review of UCI's minority affairs and affirmative action programs. MEChA de UCI is classified as an umbrella organization affiliated with UCI's Cross Cultural Center. The national organization is divided into ten geographical regions, including Southern California, or Alta Califas Sur. Each region is divided into several centrales, or centers, with which high school, college, and university chapters are affiliated. Alta Califas Sur is divided into six centrales, including the Orange County center to which MEChA de UCI belongs.

Historical Background

Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) is a national student organization that promotes Chicano education, political activism, culture, and history. One of its principal aims is to expand Chicano enrollment in and graduation from colleges. It is dedicated to socializing and politicizing students in the "ideals del movimiento" to gain self determination and fight against forces of oppression.

MEChA was established in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 following a series of conferences at schools and universities in California that drew attention to the needs and interests of Chicano students. The document "El Plan de Santa Barbara" described how MEChA intended to tie together various student organizations in the Southwest to "respond as a unit to oppression and racism" and carry out "campaigns of liberation for our people." At the University of California, Irvine (UCI), MEChA absorbed the United Mexican American Students (UMAS), an earlier organization with similar goals, circa 1969-1970. Since then, MEChA de UCI has sponsored events such as Mes de la Raza, youth conferences, Cinco de Mayo, and Chicano graduation. The group has also been active in promoting a Chicano studies program at UCI and representing Chicano interests during the development and review of UCI's minority affairs and affirmative action programs. MEChA de UCI is classified as an umbrella organization affiliated with UCI's Cross Cultural Center. The national organization is divided into ten geographical regions, including Southern California, or Alta Califas Sur. Each region is divided into several centrales, or centers, with which high school, college, and university chapters are affiliated. Alta Califas Sur is divided into six centrales, including the Orange County center to which MEChA de UCI belongs.