EDITORIAL: The significance of being a Hispanic-Serving Institution
The UHCL campus is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), but what exactly does that mean? Are there special services that should be offered? Are there changes that need to be implemented? Should the university abide by specific guidelines?
The HSI is a federal program designated to assist the Hispanic population in higher education institutions. Institutions are eligible to receive a HSI designation if they have an enrollment of at least 25 percent, full-time equivalent, undergraduate students who are Hispanic.
UHCL has been designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2010, meaning that UHCL has met the 25 percent Hispanic quota for its student body. The title, in and of itself, does not require UHCL, or any HSI, to provide specific programs or services to the Hispanic population.
Being named as a Hispanic-Serving Institution should be about more than just a quota. It should not only focus on enrollment percentages but also on how to retain those students and ensure graduation. The U.S. Department of Education should require HSIs to provide something concrete to its serving population: a framework of basic services, organizations and/or outreach programs. At the very least there should be an awareness of its existence.
Currently, there is no mention of UHCL being a Hispanic-Serving Institution in its mission statement. Being a HSI should be transparent in a university’s mission statement, core values and strategic goals. These are necessary to reflect a university’s institutional identity and without them, there is no shared understanding or way to evaluate how well we are “serving” the Hispanic student population.
As of now, the advantage of being an HSI seems to be that designated universities are eligible to receive additional grant funding. Even so, the grants are not restricted to be used solely for Hispanics; rather they can be used as an additional source of financial help to benefit the entire university population. Grants can be used on a variety of education materials and activities.
An HSI designation should be used to raise community awareness that serves both Hispanics and non-Hispanics in pursuing a greater education and also create services that meet a variety of student needs.
That being said, UHCL offers a few organizations that are geared specifically toward UHCL’S Hispanic student population. For example, the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs (ONSP), as well as the Office of Admission and the Office of Enrollment Management, have provided some of their materials in Spanish. Recently, ONSP had a translator for Spanish-speaking individuals at orientation.
Additionally, the Office of Intercultural Student Services (ISS) offers Mujeres, a community for Latin American women, where students can discuss topics relevant to the Latina/o community and Hispanics Advancing Culture, Education and Roots (H.A.C.E.R.), a student organization centered on the Hispanic student population.
Although some assistance is offered, UHCL should strive to expand on its services to effectively implement being a “Hispanic-Serving Institution.” For example, it could create services such as having a Spanish staff position and offer Spanish tutors to ensure students understand the materials taught in class. Most importantly, UHCL should remember that Hispanics, as well as all other students, are more than just a number.
