UMD Assesses Campus Climate Among Hispanic Students: At the University of Maryland, College Park, Hispanic students want more faculty and administrative support, additional mentorship opportunities and a cultural center to address their needs and concerns, according to a recent survey conducted by the institution’s Adele H. Stamp Student Union for Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy.
Hispanics compose more than 20 percent of the population in counties surrounding UMD, yet the school only enrolls 5.5 percent of Hispanic students. Moreover, Hispanic faculty compose only 2 percent of the overall faculty at UMD.
To ensure that Hispanic students are thriving, the institution’s multicultural center conducted a survey to assess the needs of this demographic of students.
The survey found that more than 40 percent of Hispanics feel comfortable
at the university. The Latino Student Union and Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first Latina sorority in the nation, were among the top-ranking campus activities among Hispanic students.
Nearly 50 percent are satisfied with their academic experience, and the majority of the 86 students surveyed said the university did a good job in promoting diversity.
