A Pew Hispanic Center report issued last week revealed Hispanic enrollment at American institutions of higher education is rising even faster than the demographic's college-age population. Between 2009 and 2010, the Hispanic enrollment rate jumped by 24 percent and the total number of Hispanic college students reached a record 12.2 million. At first glance, this may appear to be unqualified good news about the state of higher education and socioeconomic equality in the United States. A closer look at the numbers, however, reveals that Hispanics still lag behind other demographic groups in several important metrics of educational success.
For example, a 2010 report from the American Enterprise Institute found that only 51 percent of Hispanic college students obtain a bachelor's degree within six years. In contrast, 59 percent of whites at identical institutions graduated with bachelor's degrees within that time frame. Moreover, despite the higher education gains among 18- to 24-year-old Hispanics, the Pew study shows that the cohort's enrollment rate remains a mere 32 percent. This is far lower than the corresponding proportions for black, white and Asian youths. Although the Virginia state government has failed to address these skewed outcomes and even has contemplated measures that would make it harder for Hispanic youths to attend college, there are a number of proactive steps the University can take to boost Hispanic educational attainment.
Most immediately, it can begin admitting undocumented students in defiance of a 2002 attorney general memo. Although this memo recommended that universities require proof of citizenship during the admissions process, it also noted, "There is no federal or state statute that precludes an institution from admitting an applicant known to be an illegal alien." Thus, the University has the authority to open its doors to the estimated 65,000 undocumented students who graduate annually and face a limited selection of colleges to which they may apply. Few of these students knowingly flouted immigration laws when they came to the United States since, by and large, they were brought here by their parents at a young age. Thus, categorically denying them admission is unjustified and counter to Gov. Bob McDonnell's stated goal of conferring an additional 100,000 college degrees during the next 15 years.
Furthermore, the University could implement bureaucratic changes that would enhance the Hispanic community's ability to make its voice heard. In particular, it should create a specific office dedicated to Hispanic student affairs. Whereas Program Coordinator Julia Roa currently is charged with overseeing this area of operations in addition to the affairs of Native American and Middle Eastern students, it would make sense to split her responsibilities into three different branches that could receive greater attention and resources. This would ensure that Hispanic students have an advocate focused solely on them, which is crucial as they become a larger University constituency.
The University also should review its hiring practices and strive to attract more qualified Hispanic faculty. A paltry 1.3 percent of full-time faculty were Hispanic in 2008, and that has left Hispanic students with fewer mentors to whom they can go for advice or assistance. It also has detracted from the University's educational offerings. "One professor in Latin American Studies went on sabbatical and students weren't able to fulfill their requirements," said Alexa Proffitt, chair of the Latino Student Alliance at the University. She added that this problem was compounded by the fact that "most people don't even know what [Latin American Studies] is, and there aren't many professors advocating for that program."
None of these changes would be subject to approval by an intransigent General Assembly, yet they would lead to tangible improvements for both prospective and current Hispanic students. If the University began admitting undocumented youths, it would address a situation in which qualified students have their futures stunted as a result of decisions their parents made. And if more resources and support were focused on the Hispanic community, completion rates likely would rise along with enrollment. The University already has done much in recent years to help disadvantaged individuals access higher education, and these policy revisions would be in line with that laudable strategy.
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