Hispanic Student Society:
An Inventory of Its Records, 1978-2006, at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library
Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Hispanic Student Society | |
| Title: | Hispanic Student Society Records, | |
| Dates: | 1978-2006 | |
| Abstract: | The collection consists of materials pertaining to the activies of the Hispanic Student Society of Texas Tech University. | |
| Collection # | U 208.1 | |
| Quantity: | 1 box (1.0 linear feet) | |
| Language | English. | |
| Repository: | Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University | |
Biographical Sketch
In 1964, the Mexican-American organization of Los Tertulianos, which means "the Social Gatherers," became Texas Tech University’s first student organization composed of minority students. Socializing was a key element of their daily routine, as was encouraging, supporting and embracing their individual quest for a college degree. A natural progression of their life at an academic institution, the association promoted the importance of education, spoke out on social causes and left a legacy for others to emulate.
By the early 1970s, Los Tertulianos had assimilated and yet maintained an independent voice. They participated in intramural sports, handcrafted Homecoming floats (their entry won the 1967 Sweepstakes Award,) sponsored a Homecoming Queen, and held an educational seminar for Mexican-American high school students. Change in the status quo is never easy and some viewed them as militant. Undaunted, the organization continued maturing and with each new class, new challenges were faced.
At some point the association lost focus and in 1980, the students refocused and became more active on the social issues front. They renamed the organization the United Mexican-American Students (UMAS.) Like the rising Phoenix, this rebirth signaled resurgence in their quest for knowledge of self and heritage. UMAS maintained a foothold on the traditional collegiate experience tempered with a palatable Mexican-American flair.
Their strength was viewed as a liability by the next generation of Mexican-Americans students. They decided to remake the group in their own image and created the Hispanic Student Society (HSS). HSS continues to promote education, find avenues of academic support and contribute to our community.
Short biography written by Daniel Sanchez, Oral Historian at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library.
Scope and Content
The collection contains details of the association's activities, including financial materials, newspaper clippings, meeting minutes, membership rosters, oversized posters, one scrapbook, and photographs.
Organization | ||
| The materials are organized into two series: manuscripts and oversized posters. | ||
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Open for research
Index Terms | ||
| The subject headings used by the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library are derived from the Library of Congress and/or locally developed. | ||
| Subjects (Organizations) | ||
| Hispanic Student Society | ||
| Subjects | ||
| Texas Tech University--Students | ||
| Texas Tech University--Students--Societies, etc. | ||
Related Material
|
Bidal Aguero Papers, 1949-1988 and undated (TTU Student Organizations. 1969-1975: Box 5 Folders 35-41) Bidal Aguero oral history interiview [sound recording], 1976 Bidal Aguero oral history interiview [sound recording], 1998 Fidela De Lira Lara oral history interiview [sound recording], 2009 Noe Lara oral history interiview [sound recording], 2009 Maria Rivas oral history interiview [sound recording], 2010 Texas Tech: Mexican American Student Organizations reference file |
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Hispanic Student Society Records, 1978-2006, Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Collection accession #(s):
2006-0112-B
Gifts, 1998 and 2006
Processed by
Elizabeth Johnston Vasquez, 1998
Collection Inventory