MEMORANDUM
DATE:
May 22, 2006
TO:
President Karen S. Haynes
FROM:
Gerardo M. González, Chair, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force
RE:
HSI Task Force Activities 2005-06
The attached report serves as a summary of the Cal State San Marcos Hispanic-Serving
Institution (HSI) Task Force activities for 2005-06.
In Fall 2005 the HSI Task Force moved into Phase II of the HSI initiative which
included exploring student outreach and recruitment strategies. Also, the task
force provided updates to campus stakeholders on the status of the initiative
through presentations, a memorandum to the campus community, and our HSI
website.
A significant task force activity this year was to gather data on campus outreach
activities. In addition, the task force reviewed trends in our student enrollment
and retention data. After the data were compiled and outreach needs were
identified, the task force submitted a proposal, in response to the 2006-07
budget call, requesting funds to support our university-wide initiative to
enhance student outreach activities at the college- and unit-level.
As part of our outreach efforts, two new members were invited to be part of the
HSI Advisory Committee. Palomar College representatives Vice President of
Instructional Services Dr. Berta Cuaron and Vice President of Student Services
Dr. Joe Madrigal joined our advisory group. In addition, efforts are underway
to recruit a representative from MiraCosta College. We are pleased to develop
these partnerships with our feeder campuses, which will strengthen our student
pipeline.
For the coming year the HSI Task Force will focus on retention strategies as the
next stage of our Phase II efforts. The HSI Task Force strongly recommends
that our campus tangibly support our proposed activities to achieve HSI
designation by 2010 by funding HSI initiatives and activities.
On behalf of the HSI Task Force, I want to thank you for your continued
support. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss our progress in the near
future.
cc:
David Barsky, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs
Victor Botello, Hispanic Advisory Council
Matthew Ceppi, Director, Institutional Planning
Nathan Evans, Director, Admissions and Recruitment
Bill de la Fuente, Hispanic Advisory Council
Marc DeGuzman, President, ASI, Inc.
Soheila Jorjani, Professor, Production and Operations Management
Lorena Meza, Senior Director, Centers for Learning & Academic Support Services
Susan Mitchell, Associate Vice President, Student Academic Support Services
Tracey Richardson, President, African American Faculty and Staff Association
Jorge Riquelme, Assistant Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
Lourdes Shahamiri, Catalog and Curriculum Coordinator
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Background
In 2004 President Karen Haynes appointed a task force, comprised of faculty, staff,
students, and community representatives, to identify strategies to accelerate progress
toward attaining federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). To be
eligible for HSI status, a university’s undergraduate full-time equivalent student (FTES)
enrollment must be at least 25% Hispanic. The current undergraduate Hispanic FTES is
21% but has been relatively flat for the last 5 years (see Figure 1). In Fall 2004 the HSI
Task Force began a coordinated effort to achieve HSI eligibility and greater student
diversity that is representative of the region.
The HSI Task Force outlined three phases for accomplishing these objectives:
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Phase I: Educational campaign
Phase II: Explore and develop strategies for outreach, recruitment, and retention
Phase III: Achieve HSI status and prepare competitive grant proposals
The HSI Task Force seeks to ensure that achieving HSI status is an institutional priority
and is embodied in the University’s Strategic Plan. Advancing the HSI initiative and
greater diversity exemplify our five campus strategic priorities: Campus Climate,
Community Partnerships, Student Life, Academic Excellence, and Educational Equity,
with a specific emphasis on the President’s current strategic priorities: Academic
Excellence, and Educational Equity. Moreover, the HSI initiative complements other
university-wide initiatives to address educational equity, such as the efforts of the campus
Educational Equity Task Force and the Institute for Social Justice and Equity.
Phase I: Educational Campaign
The HSI Task Force’s educational campaign included presentations to campus
constituencies, publication of a brochure titled “Preparing for Greater Diversity,” and
development of an HSI webpage on our campus website. The focus of the campaign was
to inform stakeholders about the benefits of HSI status for the entire internal and external
community. The benefits include opportunities to compete for academic enhancement,
research, and professional development programs for students, faculty, and staff.
Moreover, the programs will boost the diversity of our campus and enrich academic and
social experiences at our university. The campaign was well-received. The task force
submitted a report of Phase I efforts and recommendations for Phase II to President
Haynes in Summer 2005.
Phase II: Outreach, Recruitment, and Retention Strategies
Phase II began in Fall 2005. The HSI Task Force’s goals include developing strategies
for outreach, recruitment, and retention. For the first stage of Phase II, the task force
decided to focus on developing outreach and recruitment strategies. The task force also
determined that the second stage of Phase II for 2006-07 should focus on retention
strategies.
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Current HSI Task Force members in Phase II include:
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Gerardo González, Director, National Latino Research Center
David Barsky, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs
Victor Botello, Hispanic Advisory Council
Matthew Ceppi, Director, Institutional Planning
Nathan Evans, Director, Admissions and Recruitment
Bill de la Fuente, Hispanic Advisory Council
Marc DeGuzman, President, ASI, Inc.
Soheila Jorjani, Professor, Production and Operations Management
Lorena Meza, Senior Director, Centers for Learning & Academic Support
Services
Susan Mitchell, Associate Vice President, Student Academic Support Services
Tracey Richardson, President, African American Faculty and Staff Association
Jorge Riquelme, Assistant Professor, College of Arts & Sciences
Lourdes Shahamiri, Catalog and Curriculum Coordinator
Additional Individuals who provided guidance to the Phase II Task Force include the
following HSI Advisory Committee members:
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Tomás Arciniega, President Emeritus, CSU, Bakersfield
Glen Brodowsky, Professor, Management & Marketing, College of Business
Darren Bush, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management
Berta Cuaron, Vice President of Instructional Services, Palomar College
Joe Madrigal, Vice President of Student Services, Palomar College
Juan Necochea, Professor, College of Education/ CAMP
Victor Rocha, Director, Biomedical Research and Training
Gilberto Valadez, Professor, College of Education
During Fall 2005, an HSI Task Force subcommittee developed a survey to assess the
various levels of outreach and recruitment activities on campus that have contributed to
the recruitment of new students to the campus. Given the impact of recent budget cuts on
all areas of the campus, the survey was constructed to identify outreach and recruitment
activities, communications and programs undertaken in the past (prior to budget
reductions), those currently in place, and an assessment of future planned programs
(given adequate funding). The survey was distributed widely to campus units and
colleges that engage in outreach and recruitment activities.
The response to the call for information was positive and provided data from many areas
of the campus. The data were compiled and reviewed by the HSI subcommittee. A
matrix of outreach and recruitment activities, communications and programs was
developed, and opportunities for cooperation and collaboration were identified. The data
were considered to be a representative sample of outreach and recruitment activities
across the campus and not an inventory of all activities. The data informed our task force
of recommendations for requesting resources in response to the 2006-07 budget call.
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Based upon the analysis of the outreach data collected from several entities on campus,
the HSI Task Force requested funding to strengthen student outreach and recruitment
activities. Specifically, we sought funds for specific campus outreach and recruitment
activities to increase the number of underrepresented students at our university. The task
force stressed that in order to strengthen the pipeline from high school, to community
college, and eventually to Cal State San Marcos, various campus activities and programs
must be cultivated. The task force proposed that more intensive and systematic outreach
efforts will result in greater numbers of qualified high school and community college
students from underrepresented groups applying and attending CSUSM. The coordinated
efforts of the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, University Outreach, the
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), College of Education, Health and Human
Services, the Barahona Center, Visual and Performing Arts, and the College Access
Migrant Program (CAMP) would contribute to achieving HSI status and greater diversity.
For example, EOP has developed a three-pronged approach to recruiting
underrepresented students. The plan would target high schools with programs such as
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), which have remarkable success in
preparing underrepresented students for college, Extended Opportunity Programs and
Services (EOP&S) at community colleges, and community agencies that support student
services. The Admissions and Recruitment Office has developed a focused student
ambassador program, literature in English and Spanish, as well as an increased focus on
high schools with a high percentage of ethnic diversity. The Barahona Center developed
community events bringing Latino parents and students to campus and several academic
departments have incorporated outreach and recruitment strategies in their departments
through brochures and campus visitations. Taken together, these strategies would
increase the enrollment of underrepresented students and enhance the diversity of our
student population.
The HSI Task Force contends that in order to enhance access, academic excellence, and
educational equity for students, the expansion and coordination of campus outreach and
recruitment activities, communications and programs are necessary. These expanded and
coordinated efforts will advance our campus’ progress toward achieving greater diversity
and eventually HSI status. Thus, the task force requested $76,600 in ongoing strategic
planning funds, starting with 2006-07 to support specific student outreach and
recruitment activities. Unfortunately, the proposal was not funded at this time.
Communications
In addition, the HSI Task Force provided several updates to campus stakeholders in a
variety of venues. With President Haynes’ collaboration, we disseminated an update on
the HSI initiative to the campus community and our HSI website is now linked to the
Office of the President webpage.
HSI Task Force representatives also conducted presentations during 2005-06 to the
following campus and community stakeholder groups.
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CSUSM Hispanic Advisory Committee (HAC): 8/26/05
CSUSM African American Advisory Committee (AAAC): 9/6/05
Latino Coalition on Higher Education (LCHE): 09/15/2005
Associated Students, Inc (ASI) Board of Directors: 10/21/05
North County Higher Education Alliance (NCHEA): 1/24/06
Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT): 2/21/06
The presentations were well-received. As a result of the presentation to NCHEA, two
representatives from Palomar College, Vice President of Instructional Services Dr. Berta
Cuaron and Vice President of Student Services Dr. Jose Madrigal, joined the HSI
Advisory Committee meeting.
Budget
President Haynes provided a modest budget of $1,500 to support HSI Task Force
activities. The funds were used to disseminate HSI communications and to support the
production of outreach and recruitment materials
Recommendations
In conclusion, the HSI Task Force generated the following recommendations for 2006-07
in the spirit of achieving our university’s objective of becoming an HSI by the year 2010.
Partnerships
The HSI Task Force will continue to identify strategies to partner with high schools and
community colleges to ensure that there is a steady student pipeline to our university.
Progress
The HSI Task Force will collaborate with our campus Institutional Planning & Analysis
unit to monitor progress in student applications, admissions, and enrollments from
underrepresented groups at high schools and community colleges.
Retention
Trends in CSUSM student retention suggest that more efforts should be placed on
retention (see Figure 2). The next focus of the Task Force will be to develop strategies
for student retention.
Resources
The HSI Task Force will continue to request funds for enhancing student recruitment and
retention strategies from various sources. However, the University can best demonstrate
institutional support for our efforts by funding HSI initiatives and activities.
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Figure 1: CSUSM Undergraduate Headcount – Latino (%)
Figure 2: One-Year Continuation Rates of Regularly Admitted CSUSM First-time
Freshmen by Fall Entry Term – Latino
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