LaCasa event indicative of larger problem: Clubs have troubles drawing students

Lillian Casillas planned an entire evening to discuss Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, a Latino activist credited with strengthening the Chicano movement in the 1960s and 1970s. But there was one slight mishap: Nobody showed up. \nThis isn't the first time it has happened, either. Casillas, director of La Casa Latino Cultural Center, said, while attendance is usually steady for their weekly activities, once or twice a year she will plan an event and no one will attend. \n"It is kind of disheartening when you put up a program and nobody shows up," she said. "Especially when you feel very strongly about a certain subject, it makes you feel like, 'Oh, I guess Latino activism isn't that important.'"\nCasillas can cite two causes for the lack of attendance -- an abundance of activities already taking place on campus and a general disinterestedness on part of the students. \n"Folks just don't take advantages of (the different programs at IU)," she said. "I hope that (students) are really taking advantage of what they have at college. This is a time to expose themselves to new things. They need to get their full investment."\nCasillas' biggest concern is that the students who usually attend La Casa's events are the same students every week. \n"Often, you're preaching to the choir," she said. "It's 'How do you reach that person that you're not in their radar?' I think that's the challenge."\nBut La Casa isn't the only organization that battles attendance problems from time to time, said Eric Love, director of diversity education. \n"All of the culture centers offer excellent programming throughout the year and it's a shame when there are so many different activities going on around the same time that students can't benefit from everything," Love said. "I think it's a shame that students missed out. I am disappointed because I know how hard Lillian (Casillas) and La Casa work to put on their programs, as all the cultural centers do."\nCasillas doesn't believe her preparation for the program was wasted as she will be able to use the material in future programs. She is often invited to present to classes, and she will be able to use her material there, as well.\nCasillas was especially excited about her presentation on Gonzales because she believes many people are unaware that there are Latino activists. \nGonzales founded "Crusade for Justice," an urban civil rights and cultural movement. He had even worked with Martin Luther King Jr., which is why Casillas thought the presentation was fitting for this week. Love also thought the program was important for celebrating ethnic differences.\n"I felt the program that La Casa did this evening was appropriate for this week especially in the spirit of diversity and the achievements of all of our citizens," Love said. "There is much to learn from the Latino civil rights movement. The Latino community has had fantastic leaders who have really made a difference, not just for Latinos, but throughout the country. Especially since Corky Gonzales worked with Dr. King, it's really important for us to know."\nThe presentation was part of La Casa's "Platicas" series, which takes place once a month on Wednesdays. During the Wednesdays when the Platicas series is not running, La Casa hosts a series of other events, ranging from movie viewings to cooking classes.