Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force

sather gate

About the Task Force

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 is 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 is to provide the campus a blueprint for becoming an HSl. The work scope includes:

  • 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 will be delivered to the Chancellor by spring 2020.

Task Force Work Groups

Eligibility Work Group

This work group will review HSI designation application processes, timelines, criteria and relevant
institutional data with an eye toward recommending how Berkeley will meet the HSI
application requirements.

California Hall

Investing & Serving Work Group

This work group will identify areas for investment that will allow the campus to better serve the Chicanx/Latinx community.

Socialization Work Group

This work group will create a campus-wide communication, engagement and socialization plan that will identify and articulate the benefits of becoming an HSI for all stakeholders.

Task Force Membership

All members were appointed by the chancellor.

Name

Affiliation

Name

Affiliation

Dania Matos, J.D. (she/her/ella) (Co-Chair)

Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion

Silvia Marquez

Associate Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships

Kris Gutierrez (Co-Chair)

Carol Liu Chair, and Professor, Graduate School of Education

Adan Steve Martinez

Graduate Student, Graduate Association of Latinx Students (GALS)

Nick Araujo

Undergraduate Student, ASUC

Jorge Martinez

Operations Manager, Cal 1 Card, and Alianza

Jessica Arevalo-Hillen

Major Gifts, University Development and Alumni Relations

Fabrizio Mejia

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Equity & Success, Equity & Inclusion

Adrian Diaz

Director, State Government Relations

G. Christina Mora

Associate Professor, Department of Sociology

Andrew Eppig

Institutional Researcher-Equity & Inclusion

Olufemi “Femi" Ogundele

Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Adrian Frias

Undergraduate Student, Latinx Caucus

Oliver O'Reilly

Vice Chair, Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate, and Professor, Department of

Mechanical Engineering

Lupe Gallegos-Diaz

Director, Chicanx Latinx Student Development-Equity & Inclusion

Linda Rugg

Associate Vice Chancellor, Research

Lisa Garcia Bedolla

Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division

Rick Russo

Dean, Summer Sessions, Study Abroad, and Lifelong Learning; and Associate Vice Chancellor,

Undergraduate Education

Pablo Gonzalez

Lecturer, Chicano/Latino Studies, Department of Ethnic Studies

Mia Settles-Tidwell (Task Force Staff)

Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff-Equity & Inclusion

Alein Y. Haro

Graduate Student, Graduate Assembly

Chris Stanich

Associate Vice Chancellor, Financial Planning & Analysis, Finance

Diana Harvey

Associate Vice Chancellor, Communications and Public Affairs

Stephen Sutton

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Marsha Jaeger

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Centers for Educational Partnerships-Equity & Inclusion

Christopher Yetter

Senior Advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost

Rosemary Kim

Chief of Staff, Finance

Task Force Report and Latest Updates

The HSI Task Force presented the final Task Force Report to the Chancellor in December 2020. 

HSI Task Force Report (PDF)

For the latest information and updates regarding the HSI work, please visit https://hsi.berkeley.edu/.

Contact the Task Force

The HSI Task Force welcomes public questions and comments as it assembles its recommendations.

Task Force Co-Chairs:

  • Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion Dania Matos, J.D. (she/her/ella) - VCEI@berkeley.edu
  • Carol Liu Chair and Professor of the Graduate School of Education Kris Gutierrez – gutierrkd@berkeley.edu

Task Force Staff:

Timeline

June 11, 2019: HSI Task Force Charge Letter distributed

September 27, 2019: HSI Task Force formal launch

October 2019: Establish three working groups: Eligibility, Investing & Serving, and Socialization

  • Eligibility- charged to review HSI designation application processes, timelines, criteria and relevant institutional data towards meeting the HSI application requirements.
  • Socialization- charged to create a campus-wide communication, engagement and socialization plan that will identify and articulate the benefits of becoming an HSI for all stakeholders.
  • Investing & Serving- charged to identify areas for investment that will allow the campus to better serve the Chicanx/Latinx community and other underrepresented communities.

October - December 2019: Plan work groups’ approach, work group products, timelines, engagement strategy

November 2019: HSI Delegation participated in HSI Showcase, UC Santa Cruz

December 2019: Launched the HSI Task Force website

December 2019: February 2020- Engaged stakeholder groups and focus groups

January - February 2020: Engage community through focus groups, peer institution interviews, and listening sessions

2nd week of February 2020: Share preview of products from all work groups with the Task Force and do a cross-walk amongst work groups for feedback on products

3rd week of February 2020: Share preview of products with Task Force co-chairs for feedback

February 24, 2020: Presentation to the Chancellor's HSI Task Force work and recommendations

March or April 2020: Host Campus Conversation on HSI Roadmap

March 16 - May 8, 2020: COVID-19 Shelter in Place [HSI Task Force momentary hiatus]

May 2020: Establish an HSI Roadmap Implementation Team

May 8, 2020: Letter from the Chancellor to the Task Force endorsing recommendations and request for prioritized preliminary recommendations

May 29, 2020: HSI Task Force prioritized preliminary recommendation in light of COVID-19

June - August 2020: HSI Task Force meets regularly to work on the following:

  • June 29, 2020- Offered Unit 3- Library for the Temporary -location of the Latinx Resource Center
  • August 2020- Informally shared with Academic & Space Planning, Student Spaces Team the community rejection of the temporary space and a request to identify a different temporary space for the Latinx Resource Center;
  • Developing a mission and vision for Becoming an HSI
  • Developing an HSI Implementation Structure & Framework for decision-making, community engagement, and theory of change models by [September 29, 2020]
  • Memorializing the work of the HSI Task Force through a comprehensive HSI Report by [November 1, 2020]
  • We have reached emerging HSI status due to the implementation and recommendations made by the Eligibility work group and the implementation by OUA and CEP.