Students, faculty, staff want mural to stay put
The mural stands about eight feet high and was made by student activists in 1973 and later donated to the University. | Emily Chambers /The Daily Cougar
Students, activists, staff members and alumni met to discuss the daunting future of the Chicano Mural Thursday.
The 19 people at the discussion searched for a way to keep the University from moving the piece from where it currently resides in the University Center Cougar Den.
Recent concerns with preservation of the mural were first discussed in December because of plans to begin renovations on the UC this summer. The University does not intend to destroy the mural; their goal is to preserve it in another area on campus, The Daily Cougar reported in January.
“This is not a living thing. It’s on a wall, but it comes off as something real, and I don’t want to see it moved or destroyed,” said pre-business freshman Kristal Rios.
Everyone attending agreed they did not want the mural moved.
“This mural is a valuable part of history for the University; it recaptures roots with visual language and examines rebirth of a social consciousness in a time when people of color had no voice,” said Lorenzo Cano, professor and associate director of Mexican American studies. “It empowers and is reconfirmation of who we are as Mexican Americans on campus — we are here to stay.”
The group said many students are not aware of what’s going on with the mural — let alone what it is.
“Students have always had the most power in the University,” said alumna Jezer Urena. “And we will do whatever we have to do to publicize this and let people know that this isn’t just a treasure for the University but a cultural treasure for the city of Houston.”
At noon Friday, another UC Board meeting will be held to further discuss the details of the mural.
“I am willing to put the dedication in to save this mural,” Rios said. “What about everyone else?”
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