Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force

The Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force is no longer active and this page is meant to share the work toward achieving HSI designation at Berkeley. The HSI Initiative is now the Latinx Thriving Initiatives (LTI). Read more about LTI currently at lti.berkeley.edu

Phase I Implementation 2020-22- Establish an HSI Implementation Framework/Structure that consists of:

• Identify key stakeholders to serve as an HSI Implementation Steering Team
• Develop an HSI Advisory Board to advance the work of the HSI initiative
• Pursue hiring of staff dedicated to HSI initiative (including identifying funding of positions)
• Establish and identify stakeholders (students, staff, and faculty) to serve on the HSI Implementation Team to sequence, execute and track the implementation of the HSI report recommendations

Phase II Implementation 2022-2025 - Continue to implement the recommendations and shift campus culture to serve the needs of Latinx/Chicanx and underrepresented communities

Phase III Eligibility 2025-2027 - Apply for HSI Designation by 2027

• Prepare for application based on federal requirements
• Submit application by 2027

In June 2019, Chancellor Christ asked VCEI, Oscar Dubon, Jr. and Dr. Kris Guiterrez, professor to lead the HSI Task Force. The Task force was comprised of 30 students, staff, faculty, and administrators across the campus and was charged with:

• Developing immediate, short and long-term goals to becoming an HSI;
• Creating an actionable, campus-wide engagement and socialization plan, including a communications plan (e.g., website, materials, social media, community engagement, etc.);
• Making recommendations for investments in infrastructure, curriculum, research, and campus culture toward serving the Chicanx/Latinx community, as well as other underrepresented, underserved and/or invisibilized communities; 
• Reviewing HSI application processes and timelines, eligibility criteria, and collect relevant institutional data originally by December 13, 2020, extended to February 24, 2020.
  
  

In the fall of 2018, Chancellor Christ announced that UC Berkeley would begin the process of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. One of the boldest goals in the campus’ strategic plan, the university will seek to become an HSI by 2027, joining six other UC campuses with that distinction. Under HSI status, at least 25 percent of the enrolled undergraduate students will be Chicanx/Latinx. Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution is an important step towards ensuring every student thrives and has equal access to Berkeley’s extraordinary opportunities.

The work of the Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force was to provide the campus a blueprint for becoming an HSl. The work scope included:

• Focusing on the development of goals toward becoming an HSI, as well as related immediate, short and long-term goals;
• Creating an actionable, campus-wide engagement and socialization plan;
• Recommending investments in infrastructure, curriculum, research, and campus culture toward serving the Chicanx/Latinx community, as well as other underrepresented, underserved and/or invisibilized communities;
• Reviewing the HSl application processes and timelines, eligibility criteria;
• Collecting relevant institutional data;
• Developing a communications plan.

The recommendations were delivered to the Chancellor in this report.