Casa Zapata is a four-class house focusing on the Chican@ and Latin@ experience through educational and cultural programs. Zapata residents are engaged in a wide range of activities — staging plays for Zoot Suit week, planning film series, and sharing poetry and music at regular dorm gatherings. Zapata has been a source of inspiration, creativity and community for over three decades. Decorated with vibrant murals by renowned Latino artists throughout the common areas, Casa Zapata is also a hub for community events such as Floricanto, Posadas, and Chican@/Latin@ Reunion Homecoming, as well as host to performing groups such as El Mariachi Cardenal, Ballet Folklorico, a cappella groups, and service organizations. Zapata provides students with the opportunity to share a distinct cultural experience, form strong friendships across all undergraduate classes, and still experience the enthusiasm and spirit that is usually reserved for freshman dorms.
Zapata was established in 1972 when Stanford was home to only a handful of Chican@/Latin@ students who were the first in their families to attend college. Today, Zapata is home to students from many different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, as well as Americans of Latino descent from a wide range of occupational and educational backgrounds—creating a rich diversity of people and perspectives in our dorm. Your dorm mates will be international students, musicians, athletes, people who went to public and private schools, city and country dwellers—we think you have something to learn from just about every one of them, and they from you.
Casa Zapata’s ethnic-focused theme creates a common bond for all residents—Latino and non-Latino alike—that fosters cross-cultural understanding and creates outstanding learning opportunities. Dorm life is full of many different activities and programs, some of which focus on Chican@/Latin@ history, art and culture, while others address issues that are defined by residents and the greater Stanford community. And it has been our experience that this environment creates unparalleled opportunities to pursue your passions and to explore new ones. We hope to foster an environment that encourages exploration, fosters honest and open dialogue about difficult issues, and values diversity.
Zapata was established in 1972 when Stanford was home to only a handful of Chican@/Latin@ students who were the first in their families to attend college. Today, Zapata is home to students from many different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, as well as Americans of Latino descent from a wide range of occupational and educational backgrounds—creating a rich diversity of people and perspectives in our dorm. Your dorm mates will be international students, musicians, athletes, people who went to public and private schools, city and country dwellers—we think you have something to learn from just about every one of them, and they from you.
Casa Zapata’s ethnic-focused theme creates a common bond for all residents—Latino and non-Latino alike—that fosters cross-cultural understanding and creates outstanding learning opportunities. Dorm life is full of many different activities and programs, some of which focus on Chican@/Latin@ history, art and culture, while others address issues that are defined by residents and the greater Stanford community. And it has been our experience that this environment creates unparalleled opportunities to pursue your passions and to explore new ones. We hope to foster an environment that encourages exploration, fosters honest and open dialogue about difficult issues, and values diversity.