California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has been a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) since 1998, meaning at least 25% of undergraduate students are Hispanic. Currently, Hispanic students make up 46.5% of the total undergraduate full-time equivalent students.
The school celebrates this every year with HSI Week.
HSI Week was kicked off Monday, Sept. 12 with a Pachanga. The event was hosted by The MAESTROs Project and co-hosted by other campus organizations such as Associated Students, Otter Cross Cultural Center, Transfer Student Success Center, CSUMB Library Makerspace, Cooperative Learning Center (CLC), and Young Men of Color.
The Pachanga was an event full of fun recreational activities like food, music and games. The event was also full of accessible student resources supplied by CSUMB organizations for Latinx student community success.
The event also featured catering by Tacos Don Beto. Students were able to receive a $5 food voucher from Associated Students to use at the food truck on campus for a discount.
“I feel like this is a great way for Hispanic students to be able to come together and I think it’s cool how many resources there are for students on campus,” said third-year Kimberly Gaeta.
Every year, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) summons HSIs to join in the observance of National HSI Week. Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month, CSUMB celebrated its unity with HSI from Sept. 12 through Sept. 16.
Some of the events hosted during HSI Week included a Makerspace Self-Portrait Workshop, a Folklorico Workshop, and the “Selena” Movie Screening.
During the event, CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones highlighted the importance of celebrating HSI week and thanked attendees while kicking off the celebration.
“As a HSI Institution, we will celebrate who we are by building awareness of our work and our important role in improving education, advising, equality practices and contributions to our community,” said President Quiñones. “Celebrating the diversity of our community is what makes us stronger!”