LETTER: The many faces of institutionalized discrimination

Contributed by Erica Solis, social work major

Upon the reflection of Hispanic Heritage Month and the many celebratory ‘happenings’ taking place in our city, in our country and around other parts of the globe, I have noticed a lack of interest in Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) on our campus. As president of the student organization Latinx and Indigenous Students Taking Action (LISTA), I have had the opportunity to speak with Latinx students at UHCL and gain insight into their perceptions about UHCL as being a Hispanic-enrolling rather than a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

For one of my class papers, I am reviewing research on the mental health of Latino college students. According to this research, Latinx college students have higher rates of depression, loneliness, and suicide risk than any other racial or ethnic group on college campuses nationwide. These negative mental health outcomes are related to attending predominantly white institutions (PWI) OR institutions that fail to offer resources targeted to their Latinx community (e.g. Hispanic enrolling and not Hispanic serving). Failing to see and meet the needs of the Latinx student body is related to a lack of cultural competence and humility on the part of the staff, faculty, and administration!

As president of LISTA, I have encouraged members to participate in and lead in HHM activities. Other units on campus have also shown their support, such as the Latinx and Latin American Studies program and Office of Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; however, also consistent with research, it should not fall solely on the shoulders of “diversity” units to do the all the heavy lifting. There is historical evidence that UHCL’s administration is capable of demonstrating their support for marginalized communities on our campus. For example, the Dean of Students Office sent out a letter last year to recognize Pride Month, and this should continue to be a UHCL tradition. However, in spite of the proportionately higher percentage of Latinx students on our campus, their office nor any other office at UHCL has recognized HHM for students. Additionally, our university just celebrated with festivities, video, photos, and decorations, ‘U.S. Constitution Day.’ While the university is mandated to recognize constitution day, they are still at liberty to recognize other groups that matter to them. Again, acknowledging Latina/o/x and Hispanic students on this campus seems to be a consistent omission yearly and it is even more striking when staff, faculty, and administrators are mostly silent during the important first week of Hispanic Heritage Month.

As a community, we want to see systemic change, not neutral “fluffy” words or sentiments about diversity or inclusivity. As a student I have been observing for (at least) 3 years how UHCL misses opportunities to recognize us as a community or put forth the efforts to include us in systemic change (especially those of us most passionate/vocal about these issues). As president of a student organization, I speak with many students across campus. One question that comes up is related to the university’s new Chief Diversity Officer. Students are asking where is he on campus? Where is his involvement? Why has he not made it a point to introduce himself to students? Why has President Blake refused to make it a mandatory endeavor across campus for all offices to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month (e.g. via their social media outlets, events, or letters) and why has NO one introduced themselves to the only Latinx student organization on the campus to ask, “How can we be of service and help show support?” “How can we get or make this right moving forward?”

From the ground, it is perceived as though UHCL intentionally ignores the Latinx community, and I’ve yet to see any acknowledgment to students of this oversight. From the outside looking in, it may seem like HHM is a frivolous celebration of food and dance, with some mention of history or politics. However, for those of us living the experience, returning to the research is useful for remembering there are real consequences to be marginalized. Negative mental health outcomes of their Latinx students are real, and it is up to staff, faculty, and administration to respond in culturally relevant and informed ways. There is ample research available on how to accomplish this goal, but there are also many of us on campus who would like to be invited to the table on decisions made that will affect the Latinx community here at UHCL. At this point, we are left to interpret this exclusion as intentional. My only question at this point would be why do we continue to be ignored?

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