A Guide to the University of Texas at San Antonio: Hispanic Research Center Records, 1990-1999

Historical Note

The Hispanic Research Center was formed at UTSA in 1989 with the mission to serve as a locus for interdisciplinary research focusing on Hispanic populations across the United States, concentrating on Texas and South Texas. The Center was charged with facilitating collaboration among scholars, assisting with grant proposals, securing financial support for researchers, and disseminating grant and contract funding. Additional goals included hosting presentations and forums, as well as coordinating and hosting seminars and cultural activities.

The Center focused on seven major areas of research: social and political research focusing on socio/economic mobility, race and ethnic relations; Hispanic involvement in the political process and economic sectors; education research centered on the at-risk Hispanic students; health research investigating physical and mental health issues relevant to Hispanic populations, targeting specific concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, alcohol and drug abuse, and AIDS; historical and cultural research with the intent of broadening an understanding of Hispanic social and cultural traditions and institutions; United States and Mexico relations; linguistic research.

In 1991, The Hispanic Research Center worked in conjunction with the UTSA Library Special Collections to create the Mexican American Archives Collection, a compilation of primary source materials focusing on the contributions of Mexican Americans in San Antonio and South Texas after World War II. Contributors to the Archives included Judge Albert Pena, Jr., Bernardo Eureste, and Rosie Castro.

Dr. Jesse Zapata served as the Hispanic Research Center’s first Director (1989-1994) and was subsequently followed by Avelardo Valdez (1994-1999), Blandina "Bambi" Cardenas (1999-2000), Louis Mendoza (2000-2002) and Raymond T. Garza (2002-2003). On March 27, 2003 the Hispanic Research Center merged with the Metropolitan Research and Policy Institute to form the Culture and Policy Institute.

• Source: Hispanic Research Center, "Homepage." Hispanic Research Center web site accessed November 29, 2012.

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The University of Texas at San Antonio Hispanic Research Center Records include reports and surveys that document the research activities of the Center between 1990-1999. Included are 20 working papers and reports published by the Center between 1991-1999 related to the social, economic, and cultural activities of Hispanics in San Antonio and South Texas. The collection also includes reports, correspondence, and statistical data related to the Center's San Antonio Center for Educational Development and Excellence (CEDE) project between 1992-1993.

This collection is housed at UTSA's Hemisfair Campus and must be accessed via the Institute of Texan Cultures Special Collections Reading Room. To request access, please use our Collections Request Form.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

This collection is housed at UTSA's HemisFair Park Campus and must be accessed via the accessed via the Institute of Texan Cultures Special Collections reading room. To request access, please use the Collections Request Form.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], UTSA. Hispanic Research Center Records, UA 14.02, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.

Acquisition Information

Accession 2012-30 transferred from the College of Liberal and Fine Arts in April 2012. Publications transferred from UTSA Special Collections rare books in September 2012.

Processing Information

Processed by Sean Heyliger, September 2012.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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