by Sunnie Redhouse
Daily Lobo
After numerous attempts to apply for the Title V grant, UNM's main campus was awarded $2.8 million to improve services for Hispanic students.
"It's a great opportunity for the University. Not often do you get an opportunity like this," said Tim Gutierrez, director of College Enrichment/Special Programs.
"UNM Title V: Improving Campus Climate for Hispanic Students" is a five-year grant that will be used in academic programs throughout the main campus starting Oct. 1.
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The University can use about $550,000 per year, according to a UNM press release.
Jennifer Gomez-Chavez, community program manager of college enrichment and soon to be director of Title V, said the grant will help improve the engagement among students, faculty and staff.
"Mentor programs out here are wonderful, but they can't do it alone," Gomez-Chavez said.
With the help of the grant, the resources for Hispanic students can improve and lead to higher graduation rates for Hispanic students, she said.
"This is going to help us persist and graduate students," she said. "We need role models for our upcoming generations."
Eliseo "Cheo" Torres, vice president for student affairs, said the grant will decrease the number of years it takes for Hispanic students to graduate, with mentor programs designed to help encourage them.
"We see that we can improve the retention rate," Torres said, "I honestly think we are going to become a model for the program across the country."
Torres said for a university to be eligible for the grant, it must have a 25 percent Hispanic enrollment rate. He said it's a good enough reason for UNM to have the grant.
"It met criteria. That means there is a need," he said.
It's a need recognized by Renee Delgado, UNM student and El Centro de la Raza employee.
"I think it's a good idea, because traditionally, minorities have low graduation rates," Delgado said. "This is something that could hopefully help with that."
The graduation rate for Hispanics was about 1 percent less than the average rate at UNM in 2004, according to collegeresults.org.
Gutierrez said programs offered by the grant will include advisement, mentoring and tutoring.
He said Hispanic upperclassmen can serve as mentors to freshmen and steer them in the direction they need to graduate.
"We can build the capacity of the University," he said. "We want students to understand these programs are here to help."
Gomez-Chavez said Hispanic students should understand how valuable they are.
"They're important to the community and to the state," she said. "We want students to know that our University is committed. They have made a commitment for them to succeed."
Student Evan Harris said he is excited about the grant.
"I think it could be a good thing, because the demographic here is so Hispanic. I think it will be a good way to help them out," he said.
However, it is up to administrators to make sure students benefit from the funding, he said.
"I don't really know how the budgeting process works here at UNM," he said. "I just hope the people in charge do a good job using it."
