Published 2013-03-13T06:00:00Z”/>
Nicholas Carr
Chico State’s spring enrollment update in February has student leaders talking about the growing Latino population’s impact on diversity on campus.
The university’s long-term goal is to cultivate a student body that is ethnically representative of the state of California, wrote Barbara Fortin, vice provost for enrollment management, in an email to The Orion.
When the Latino population of a school exceeds 25 percent, it is classified as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Those with that status qualify to apply for grants through the U.S. Department of Education and other organizations, Fortin wrote. These funds are to be used for special student programs, such as advising.
Over the past eight years, the Latino population at Chico State has grown from 11 percent of students to 20.
This growth can be attributed to the population’s increase across California, said Juan Guzman, director of the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, or M.E.Ch.A, at Chico State.
While the university may soon have the numbers to qualify as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, it may not be culturally ready, Guzman said.
“Chico State prides itself on diversity,” he said. “The thing is there hasn’t been much progress when it comes to the community.”
It’s disappointing that students can’t major in Chicano studies, Guzman said.
Without a dedicated Chicano studies program, it’s not surprising that ignorance still pervades Cesar Chavez Day festivities, he said.
Funds received from any grants would hopefully be used for the benefit of all minority groups on campus, Guzman said.
While the Latino population at Chico State increases, the lack of growth with other ethnic groups becomes apparent, said Nicole McAllister, Associated Students director of legislative affairs.
Despite the university’s high score from the College Affordability and Transparency Center, the school lacks diversity, she said.
“I think if we see Hispanic numbers increasing, we need to see the same effort with other students of color,” McAllister said.
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<strong>Nicholas Carr can be reached at </strong><a href=”mailto:[email protected]”><em>[email protected]</em></a>
