SUBJECT:

UCSD César E. Chávez Celebration

César E. Chávez encouraged and promoted dignity, determination, tolerance and innovation as effective methods for everyone confronted by discrimination and economic injustice. I am pleased to announce and encourage faculty, staff and students to participate in the series of educational celebratory events designed to honor the late César E. Chávez.

Some activities include:

* César E. Chávez Kickoff Celebration scheduled for April 6, 2006 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at The International Center. The César E. Chávez Committee will honor Herman Baca who has had a strong community presence in National City since the 1970's. The UCSD Mandeville Special Collections Library has recently acquired the Chicano Civil Rights archive which is now available for research by scholars and students.

* Attorney and UCSD Alumna, Annabelle Cortez and UFW Chief Legal Counsel Marcos Camacho will speak on Thursday, April 20, 2006 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Cross Cultural Center. Cortez and Camacho will speak on the impact of the United Farm Workers Union and efforts to preserve justice in the fields. Reception will follow.

* Teatro de la Tierra, "Heroes and Legends" scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Visual Arts Building. Songs and poetry of Agustin Lira and Patricia Wells Solorzano will evoke memories of dynamic leaders of social justice, such as Cesar Chavez, Corky Gonzalez, and Emiliano Zapata.

For more information on the Chávez celebration visit the web site at http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/chavez

. In recognition of this annual event, I am approving two hours of administrative leave with pay that employees may apply to their attendance at a UCSD César E. Chávez activity. Supervisors are encouraged to allow employees two hours of administrative leave with pay to attend one or more of the planned celebratory César Chávez events, when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties.

At this time I would like to thank the members of the UCSD César E. Chávez Planning Committee for their time and effort to coordinate these educational and celebratory campus events and activities.

Please join me, members of the UCSD César E. Chávez Planning Committee, special guests, and visitors as we collectively and publicly celebrate the legacy and contributions of César E. Chávez.

Marye Anne Fox Chancellor