Frequently Asked Questions from Communities
Southwest Studies
Summer Research Fellowships
Spend the summer of 2008 in New Mexico working with community organizations on issues of environmental justice, economic justice and cultural rights.
This paid fellowship involves training (spring semester) in community based research methods, cross cultural communication and relevant background information.
The goal of this program is to support communities working for real change in policy, economic conditions, social structures and cultural rights. In return, student and faculty research experiences will enrich CC’s academic life, scholarship and teaching.
What is Community-Based Research?
Community Based Research joins community and academia in mutual systematic inquiry to enable positive changes in policy and community conditions, and to improve academic theory, research and pedagogy.
What does a Southwest Studies Research Fellow do?
A SWS Research Fellow will be trained in community based research methods to work under community leaders and CC faculty to implement short and long range research projects. The community determines their research needs and uses As such, the results of the research. As such, the results of the research belong to the community. This is a paid fellowship.
2006 Summer Research Projects
Taos: De Las Cosecha
Project
Marisela Chavez (’08) a math major from Taos, used her local knowledge to help develop a survey for the Taos County Economic Development Corporation and the Taos Community Land Trust. She conducted 36 surveys on Los Cordovas Acequia to help the non profits understand the economic, social and cultural contributions that acequias make to Taos County. Marisela learned how to develop a survey, utilize excel in entering the data and produce charts for a power point presentation. The two non profits will utilize Marisela’s work to develop programs to assist water rights users to cut costs and increase income from growing natural and organic foods and meats.
NM American Friends Service Committee
Katie Rosing ('07) an LAS Major in Sustainable Agriculture from Colorado, helped develop a survey of South Valley (Albuquerque) farmers who sell their produce commercially. The purpose of the research was to identify sustainable practices, threats and farmers’ recommendations to protect land and water of farmers. Katie’s work will be continued by NMAFSC who has asked her to act as consultant in future research.
2007 Summer Research Projects
Fellows Lauren Frinkman ('08) and Ruth
Domrzalski
Among the important findings was
that a large percentage (around 80%) of respondents were against the annexation
of
Cañon
into the town of Taos and large portion of residents
supported efforts to obtain
public funding to purchase a reservoir. After the summer project wrapped up,
community leaders presented the study's findings to the Taos Town Council and
Taos County Commissioners.
Byron Hurlbut ('09) worked
with Taos Land Trust to develop a survey which would reveal Taos County
residents' attitudes towards land and water conservation and their beliefs about
using conservation easements to protect their land from development. One
interesting finding form this survey was that Anglo's surveyed were very
concerned about the agricultural and open space lands being protected and the
Hispano's surveyed were more concerned about agricultural waters being
protected. The survey also found that Hispanos were more reluctant to enter into
conservation easements because of the belief that this decision curtailed their
children's future uses of the land.
This survey should assist the
Taos Land Trust to develop more effective land and water conservation programs
as well as improve their outreach and community education programs in Taos
County.
Who is eligible to apply for
the Southwest Summer Research Fellowship? Colorado
College sophomores and juniors.
Who to contact:
Maria Varela Acting
Director of Southwest Studies and Project Coordinator (719)
389-6333 or (505) 345-4092 
