“Diasporic Connections” -- Performance by La 21 División at the Milbank Chapel at TC
"Tiene Vuelta" aims to create a spirit of community by putting in place program structures that promote reciprocity. It grew out of a faculty discussion on the need for student involvement and the idea that the financial assistance that we provided could be a means to accomplishing such goal. The idea, discussed within our former department, soon became a program practice. When we wrote our former Title VII proposal, we included this concept and, later, attached it to the cultural concept of "tiene vuelta." In general, the concept of "tiene vuelta" occurred during her childhood, Torres-Guzmán wrote:
"Tiene Vuelta" was part of the social norms by which we judged someone's character and established a relationship based on trust. The overarching rule was that we would take in exchange for giving at some future time. In the exchange, it was the giver who had the power to make explicit the conditions for such exchange. By taking, we implicitly accepted the obligation. "Tiene Vuelta" was sometimes the only verbal reminder, the rest was understood. What occurred subsequently would determine the degree of trust and honesty between those involved in the interaction.
Our program looks for ways of helping students financially. We know that many language minority and poor students would not be able to attend an ivy league institution were it not for the ways to help you economically, and what we expect is that you help us create the community through student involvement and acts of reciprocity. We ask you to be an active participant of a committee.