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Casa Zapata

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Casa Zapata

Stanford's Chicanx/Latinx Ethnic-Theme House

Location: East Campus
Complex: Stern Hall
Residence Type: Four Class, available for pre-assignment

Casa Zapata Staff for the 2019-2020 Academic Year

Casa Zapata is a four-class house focusing on the Chicanx and Latinx 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 vibrantmurals by renowned Latino artists throughout the common areas, Casa Zapata is also a hub for community events such as Floricanto, Posadas, and Chicanx/Latinx 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 Chicanx/Latinx 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. 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.

For more information, please visit ResEd's Casa Zapata page.