Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone participate in events at La Casa?
All UIUC students, as well as faculty and staff, are welcome to attend and participate in events at La Casa. Community outreach is also an important part of our mission, so we also welcome youth and adults from the local community to participate in various programs hosted at La Casa.

Can students reserve the facilities for events?
Yes, students may reserve La Casa facilities and equipment free of charge for meetings and events. A reservation form is available on-line, or you may download (pdf) the form and submit it to the Secretary at La Casa (1203 W. Nevada Street). Please read and adhere to the guidelines when reserving the facilities.

Can students apply for jobs at La Casa?
Yes, La Casa hires students each year for the following positions: programming, publicity and marketing, publications, community outreach, office clerk, night monitor, and retention. Students who are interested in working at La Casa should become familiar with the center by participating in events and volunteering to help with programming. Information about applying for positions will be made available on-line in late spring/early summer.

How can I volunteer at La Casa?
La Casa welcomes volunteers in a variety of capacities:

• Every year undergraduate and graduate students volunteer to serve on La Casa's Advisory Committee. Students can express their interest in serving on this committee by applying to the subcommittee on cultural affairs of the Illinois Student Senate.
• Organizations and their representatives may volunteer with La Casa through co-sponsorships and other initiatives. Organizations may coordinate with other RSOs and La Casa staff through the La Casa Alliance of Student Organizations (LCASO) which meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm. To make sure your organization is part of LCASO, contact the Director at salozano@uiuc.edu.
• Students interested in journalism and publishing may work with the La Carta and Latina/o Scrapbook staff. For more information, write to lacartauiuc@gmail.com.
• La Casa staff and programming meetings are open to students interested in working with La Casa. This semester staff meetings occur at 5:00 pm on Mondays at La Casa.

What is the difference between La Casa Cultural Latina and the Latina/Latino Studies Program?
La Casa Cultural Latina and the Latina/Latino Studies Program are campus units; La Casa is a unit of the Office of the Dean of Students in Student Affairs and Latina/Latino Studies is a program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Both represent the commitment the University of Illinois has to understanding and highlighting the contributions that Latina/o communities and cultures have made to university academics, programming and student support and retention. The Latina/Latino Studies Program coordinates faculty, course offerings, lectures, conferences and other academic programming to support the study of Latina/os nationally and globally. The program also administers the undergraduate minor in Latina/Latino Studies and provides work opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. La Casa and Latina/Latino Studies collaborate on many initiatives including joint programs and the formation of a Latina/o alumni association.

Are the programs and events at La Casa free?
All programs and events held at La Casa are free and open to university students, faculty and staff, as well as community members and guests of the university. La Casa occasionally hosts or co-hosts a major music event, such as Noches Tropicales, for which there is a modest cover charge to defray expenses.

Is the computer lab part of La Casa?
The Nevada Street Computer Lab, located at 1203 W. Nevada, belongs to CITES. Its hours are posted on the door to the lab and at the CITES website. Computers are open to anyone with a university log-in. La Casa also has computers available to people with university log-ins that they can use during La Casa's hours.