*Disclaimer: Contents of this proposal were written for an English class using an imagined ideal job.*

Subject: Proposal to Improve Representation of Latinos in University Programming

Dear Jisabelle:

During the King/Chavez/Parks minority scholarship meeting last month, scholarship recipients voiced their opinions on issues facing the Latino population here on the Ohio University campus. Many complained that little campus programming focuses on or promotes the Latino culture.

This proposal offers a plan to help Ohio University fulfill the needs of its Latino students by hosting an annual Latino Festival celebration that will both promote and educate others on the Latino culture.

Since the fall of 2000, Ohio University has been awarding the King/Chavez/Parks (KCP) Scholarship to African American, Native American, and Latino students who meet the requirements. Since the inception of the KCP scholarship award, the number of Latino students attending Ohio University has increased. These students leave a home where their culture and heritage is embraced to the fullest, and expect to come to a university campus where they will be able to share their culture with other students. However, the Latino students claim that the campus does not make them feel comfortable. They feel as if the university does not work hard enough to promote or recognize their unique culture. These students would like to dance to their native music or eat their native dishes, without having to drive to Columbus or Parkersburg. Many Latinos here claim that they have considered transferring to another university where their culture will be appreciated. Students believe that the lack of support is one of the biggest contributing factors to the low Latino retention rates.

The Latino population at Ohio University and in the city of Athens combined equals about 3% of the total population. A small Latino population means that not many people in the community have enough knowledge of the Latino culture to develop programming.

The low percentage of Latinos in the Ohio University and Athens community has resulted in many Latino students transferring to other universities and has left many current students feeling isolated and forgotten. Knowing that our Latino students feel uncomfortable on our campus makes it obvious that we must do something to make them feel at home. Within the next year, we must do whatever it takes to promote the Latino culture.

This proposal offers two solutions for this problem, including the approximate costs, personnel requirements, and expected results.

Plan One. The first solution would develop campus-wide programming run by students. Together, students and administrators will brainstorm and develop various programs, such as discussions, films, and dinners. These programs will be held twice a month. The students and administrators will advertise by flyers and handbills, by word of mouth, and by campus-wide emails. Effective advertisement would attract a large audience.

Plan Two. The second solution would be to host an annual Latino Festival on College Green. College Green is in the center of the Ohio University campus and would be an ideal location for this festival because of its beautiful scenery and its large amount of open space. This large one-day celebration would be open to the general public free of charge. Students would prepare and sell various dishes, desserts, and drinks that are unique to Latin America. Latino dance groups from around the state would perform folkloric dances while also teaching the audience how to dance to salsa, merengue, and reggaeton music. In addition to the Latino dance groups, the festival will also have a DJ who will entertain guests with all the Latino songs that are on currently topping the charts. The festival will also have clowns and face painting stations for the children. Vendors from around the state will also be invited to set up their stands at the festival.

• The major cost will be the result of having to hire a DJ to play music throughout the entire day, when other acts are not performing. DJ A-Roc has volunteered to DJ the event for a cost of $500.
• A sister from Sigma Lambda Gamma works at Kinkos and is allowed to make free copies. She has offered to copy the flyers for free.
• The picnic tables will be distributed to us for free by the university because we are a registered student organization.
• The Clown would be free of charge as one of the administrators has offered to perform the role. We would only have to pay $55 for the clown costume, and $50 for the face paints and paintbrushes that will be used for the face painting stations.
• The dance groups and vendors will be free of cost as they will be performing and setting up as volunteers and not as paid acts.
• Security will be provided via the Ohio University Police Department. They have offered to send six officers to supervise the area for a total cost of $1200.
• We will need to pay Food Services a $50 fee for a food and beverage license. This will also cover our health and safety check that is required.
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The personnel running this event will be those students and administrators who help in the organization and planning of the event. These people will be responsible for making on the spot decisions and will be responsible for the overall success of the festival. In addition, the Ohio University Police officers will be considered personnel and will be responsible for maintaining control of the crowd. Each food or accessory vendor will have to maintain his or her own vending area. However, vendors must comply with the rules and regulations given to them by the head festival personnel.

A lack of programming directed toward the Latino student population has resulted in low Latino student retention rates. To help the current Latino students feel comfortable, it is recommended that the university implement these two proposed solutions.

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