PLEASE POST

SUBJECT:  UCSD Cesar E. Chavez Celebration

I am pleased to announce that the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has designated Friday, March 29, 2002, as the Cesar E. Chavez holiday.

Cesar E. Chavez was a most remarkable individual whose contributions touched millions of people in a variety of ways, including his selfless devotion to the fight for civil rights, environmental justice and non-violence. Additionally, he encouraged and promoted dignity as effective methods for everyone confronted by discrimination and economic injustice. Therefore, for these and many other reasons, the State of California, the Governor of California, and the University of California, including UCSD have chosen to honor the life and humanitarian contributions of Mr. Cesar E. Chavez.

In recognition of the Cesar E. Chavez holiday, the UCSD Office of the Chancellor is pleased to sponsor a series of educational and celebratory events, which will occur during the month of April. Some of these events include the following:

- Ms. Dolores Huerta, long-time associate of Chavez and co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union will speak on April 30, 2002 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Institute of the Americas.

- A number of other distinguished speakers will discuss issues relevant to the future of Chicano/Mexicano communities in California, including higher education and the law.

More details about the UCSD Cesar E. Chavez activities are accessible electronically at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/chavez

I have appointed a UCSD Cesar E. Chavez Recognition Planning Committee to coordinate campus events and activities. Members of the Planning Committee are:

Mary Walshok, Co-Chair (Associate Chancellor Extended Studies)
David Valladolid, Co-Chair (President, Chicano Federation Board of Directors, President & CEO, Parent Institute for Quality Education)
Nick Aguilar, Director, UCSD Student Policy & Judicial Affairs
Ramon Aldecoa, Assistant Dean, Warren College
Dr. Lawrence Friedman, Pediatrics, Medical Center
Rafael Hernandez, Director, UCSD EAOP & UCSD Diversity Council
Nancy Magpusao, Assistant to Director, Cross Cultural Center
Jorge Mariscal, Associate Professor, Department of Literature
Charlene Martinez, Assistant Director, Cross Cultural Center
Edie Munk, Special Projects Coordinator, University Extension
Luisa Ortega, Academic Outreach Coordinator, EAOP
Anthony Valladolid, Director, Student Legal Services
Edwina Welch, Director, UCSD Cross Cultural Center

Please join me, members of the UCSD Cesar E. Chavez Recognition Planning Committee, special guest, and visitors as we collectively and publicly celebrate Mr. Chavez' life and contributions.

In consideration of the significance of this annual event, supervisors may grant staff employees two-hours of administrative leave with pay in addition to the regular lunch break to attend one or more of the planned celebratory Cesar Chavez events, if the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties.

We look forward to seeing you at some of the Cesar E. Chavez programs.

                                                Robert C. Dynes
                                                Chancellor