Dr. Frans Tax, MCB Professor, Faculty Director of Diversity and Inclusion of the Graduate College, and Distinguished Outreach Professor shares his perspective on the University of Arizona's recent designation by the Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
MCB: What does it mean to be a Hispanic Serving Institution, and what did the University of Arizona have to do to earn the designation?
Tax: To be considered for eligibility, an institution has to have an undergraduate enrollment that is 25% Hispanic. Two additional requirements include that a certain percentage (established yearly) of its students have high financial need, and that the institution spends below a certain amount of money per student per year. The UA did not qualify based on the last two criteria, but was allowed to make a case that it has a number of programs in place to support students, and these latter two requirements were waived. HSI status has to be renewed each year. Marla Franco, Director of Divisional Assessment and Research in Student Affairs, had the task of completing the application and adding in the almost forty pages of supporting information!
MCB: Is there a practical impact to the HSI designation? Where might it be felt the most?
Tax: The HSI designation means that the UA is eligible to apply for a number of grants to help support research, and for support of teaching and learning: both of these will benefit all UA students. For me the first practical impact of HSI status is the recognition of who our students are-great students who overcome significant barriers and financial challenges to earn college degrees. My hope is that HSI status will help our students recognize that we see them; at the same time, I also think the UA can do much more to help students; particularly students who face financial challenges. HSI status is recognition that we are doing a good job with our students, but we can do better.
MCB: How might the U of A’s diversity initiatives and programs, and your role in particular, be affected by the designation?
Tax: Great question! My goal is to increase awareness of these grant opportunities and to help others on campus work together to write proposals and get them funded! That means more students in the workforce, and more students that learn about the rewards and benefits of graduate degrees!
MCB: What would you highlight as the key message to the entire student body, including non-Hispanic students?
Tax: All students at the UA will benefit in many ways from this status. This status is recognized nationally and can help the funding rate of many types of research grants for UA faculty at numerous funding agencies. In addition, there are specific grant programs only for HSI institutions. These grants can fund financial aid for students, increase research opportunities, help buy equipment for research or teaching, help in hiring faculty and in professional development for students, faculty and staff. Since we are one of only a few Research 1 HSI institutions, we can easily be competitive for these grant funds.