The new director of the Mexican American Studies and Research Center at the UA is aiming to make the center the source of information on Mexican American issues in the Southwest.

"We want to do Mexican American studies in a way that it hasn't been done," said Adela de la Torre, who began as the center's director Aug. 1.

Torre replaced acting director John Garcia, who had held the position since July 1995, said Angie Parra, administrative assistant for the center.

"We've been looking for a new director for a few years now," Parra said.

Torre said her first priority, which is near completion, is to put together an advisory board for the center, consisting of local community members.

The board will be made up of prominent community members such as Bishop Manuel Moreno; Democratic Rep. Ed Pastor; and Edith Auslander, vice president of human resources for Tucson Newspapers Inc.

Rudy Modesto Molina Jr., a representative of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan and a member of the board, said he feels Torre can help MEChA get proper representation on campus. He also said Torre's inclusion of MEChA on the advisory board is a goo d sign.

"We have been wanting this all along," said Molina of Torre's aspirations to build the center's image locally and nationally.

Torre said her second priority is to hire more faculty for the center, which is currently understaffed.

She said she then wants to draw local and national attention to the center, establishing it as the source of information on Mexican American issues.

"I want the press to call the UA Mexican American Studies and Research Center," Torre said. "Long term, I want to work on developing a national presence through the media."

She describes herself as "not your typical academic," and sees herself primarily as a writer.

Torre has been a syndicated columnist with the Los Angeles Times since 1992.

She said she feels she can use her media connections to bring widespread attention to the center's activities.

"I have a little head start," Torre said.

"The most important issue of the 21st century is the issue of ethnic tension," she said. "We'll produce the type of information that will help in mediating issues."

"I don't take my role as a public servant lightly," she said. "I feel very obligated to Arizona taxpayers."

The director position is paid a salary of $85,000 a year for 1996-97.

Torre said she felt the move from Los Angeles to Tucson was well worth it, because she sees the UA's commitment to make her vision for the center a reality.

The center is currently located in the Douglass Building, Room 315, but will move to the second floor of the Economics building around Sept. 24, Parra said.

"I see capital commitment," Torre said of the move to the larger space.

"We are going to be doing things that in the context of ethnic studies are revolutionary," she said.

Torre wants to revamp the curriculum for Mexican American Studies, starting at the bottom.

The undergraduate curriculum will be streamlined and split into two different emphases, Torre said.

The major program will be reduced to a 30-unit major to allow students more freedom to take courses in other areas.

She also intends to develop a master's program in Mexican American studies.

"We all win if we understand the issues of Mexican Americans," Torre said.

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