The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Editorials

November 15, 2009

Our View: Latino Center will benefit MSU, students

There has been no more dominant ethnic and cultural shift in the region in the past decade than that brought by Latinos.

Nearly one-quarter of the populations in St. James and Madelia are Hispanic. In the nine-county area, Hispanics make up half of the minority population. In the coming decade, Hispanic migration is expected to climb steadily.

So, it is understandable that Minnesota State University officials are frustrated with the low number of Latino students who choose to attend the university. Hispanics represent just 1.4 percent of the student population, far below the numbers of most all other minority groups.

Unfortunately, the university’s recent drive to elevate the Hispanic presence on campus by opening a Latino Center has run headlong into campus politics.

When student leaders learned from the administration that a center was planned somewhere in the Centennial Student Union, controversy erupted. That’s because the Student Union, while under the university umbrella, is operated with a great deal of student input and financially supported with student fees.

MSU officials erred by not bringing student leaders in on the process earlier. The administration has, through several meetings and forums with students, tried to rectify the situation.

That misstep aside, the Latino Center is a good idea.

Some students have voiced opposition, saying opening a center for a specific ethnic group is polarizing and segregationist. But universities have long seen the need to provide more visibility and a special spot for groups that, for whatever reasons, are under-represented and/or face special challenges to academic and social success.

Part of the impetus for a new center also lies with an agreement recently struck between MSU and the Mexican government. Under the agreement, the Mexican government will provide certain financial and program support to Hispanic students at the university to help them achieve.

It’s a good partnership that will benefit the university and students and one that will be stronger with a Latino Center.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Editorials