As a 9-year-old boy, José Villagrán worked all day hunched over in cucumber fields. His hands bled from being pricked by the crop.

Villagrán, an interdisciplinary studies in social science senior, grew up as a migrant worker with his family, traveling between Texas and Wisconsin for about five years.

The injustices Villagrán saw while working in the fields pushed him to actively fight for migrant worker rights while a student at MSU. But he felt discouraged from doing activism his first year here.

The program that helped pay his tuition — MSU's College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP — prohibits its students from holding any position in a student organization as freshmen.

"I appreciate them for the things they do for their students," he said. "But I wish they would expand to be a more socially conscious organization."

Activism and academics

The program's director, Luis Garc'a, said students' first year is critical — and education is CAMP's No. 1 priority.

"There has been a tendency in the past that they get overwhelmingly involved in an organization, and they forget why they are here," Garc'a said.

Criminal justice junior Diana Fernández said freshman year is important and involvement in a group could get in the way of studying.

"The first year is getting to know the campus, people and focusing on your grades," said Fernández, a former CAMP student.

After freshman year, CAMP staff encourages students to learn about different groups around campus, Garc'a said.

Provost Kim Wilcox said he hopes all MSU students can experience growth in academics, social engagement and health, but no single program can encompass all those areas.

Raul Perez, a history sophomore who was in CAMP last year, said he understands why the program would want students to exclusively focus on their school work. But he said marching in rallies for issues such as Proposal 2, which banned affirmative action in Michigan last November, has enhanced his education.

Learning from other student activists and being active himself "has helped me to stay objective and to stay focused on my education," Perez said.

Villagrán said he doesn't "see correlation between lower grades and activism" and that his grades have improved with his involvement in campus groups.

CAMP students who participate in activism seem to do better academically than students who don't, Villagran said.

Garc'a disagrees.

"I don't think that would be a fair statement to make across the board on anything," Garc'a said. "Do we have some accomplished students who get involved? Absolutely."

This year, about 30 former CAMP students will graduate from a class of about 45, Garc'a said. That's about a two-thirds retention rate.

Political perceptions

Some students think CAMP administrators discourage involvement in campus organizations they consider too radical.

"They think a lot of activism on campus is far-left-wing crazy liberals, and CAMP doesn't want to be involved or connected with that image," Perez said. "But that's not true."

Garc'a, a former migrant worker himself and a Republican, said he doesn't espouse one political agenda or another.

He said the only agenda he pushes is education.

Villagrán said that if not for activism, programs such as CAMP wouldn't exist.

"It doesn't make sense that something born out of activism would abandon its roots," he said.

Perez said there are great people working at the program. But he wishes CAMP would inform students about immigration issues that may affect them.

"I would think that CAMP would let me know first," he said.

Appreciated help

Even though both Perez and Villagrán want CAMP to inform students about the political issues that may directly impact them, such as immigration, they still appreciate everything the program has done for them.

Villagrán said CAMP helped him pay for winter clothing, such as a coat, socks and boots. Perez said the program helped him find a part-time job and has paid for at least one book each semester.

"If I was an average student, I wouldn't be as comfortable with college as I am," Perez said. "It is great to have that network of people that I can go to.

"I know if I need something, I can go there."