Beginning this semester, NIU’s Hispanic students can take advantage of a variety of services offered by the Office of University Resources for Latinos.

“We just want people to know that we care,” said George Gutierrez, the center’s director.

Gutierrez was made permanent director during the summer, after being acting director for the past two years. Four directors have preceded him.

Gutierrez and his staff of four graduate students have already met with most of the roughly 250 freshmen and transfer students to discuss the services his office can provide for them.

The OURL provides services such as academic counseling, tutoring, networking for graduating seniors and peer support.

By midterm exam time, Gutierrez said he hopes to have counseled all Hispanic students concerning their academic progress. “Any academic need will be referred to the appropriate resource within the university,” he said.

Gutierrez said the retention rate for Hispanic students at NIU has been “nearly” as great as those for the student body at large. However, those admitted through the CHANCE program have not been as good, he said.

Academic counseling for those admitted through the CHANCE program will not be given through the OURL. It will continue to be given through the CHANCE office, however.

Although Gutierrez hopes to meet with all Hispanic students through the course of the semester, students are not required to meet with Gutierrez or his graduate assistants.

His assistants come from a variety of academic backgrounds. They include: sociology, political science, law and the M.B.A. program. Gutierrez said he feels this is an advantage when it comes to dealing with undergraduates.

The OURL will be holding a picnic at noon on Saturday, Sept. 16. Interested persons may call the office at 753-1986.

Gutierrez said that although the picnic will be on Mexican Independence day, all program participants and those wishing to take part in the program should try to attend.

He said the picnic will run until about 4 p.m. This allows participants to take part in the picnic and still go to Chicago for the Mexican Independence Day celebrations.

Another program Gutierrez’s office plans to implement is recruiting of new students. In late fall and spring, representatives from his office will be visiting high schools, junior colleges and Hispanic community agencies for recruitment of Latino students to attend NIU.