Equity versus Excellence: Is the Pursuit of “Tier-1” Status Compatible With Social Justice?

Abstract

This study explored the social justice implications of the transition of a Hispanicserving Institution (HSI) to a "Tier-1" institution. Interviews and demographic statistics describe a university that has increased its global reach, its enrollment of students of color, and the prestige of the Latinx-majority city in which it is located. Conversely, the institution is declining in its service to low-income students and the local community, and changing expectations for faculty and staff compromise the hiring and retention of marginalized groups such as women and people of color. Resumen Este estudio exploró implicaciones de justicia social en la transisión de una Institución de Servicio a Hispanos (HSI) a institución de "primer nivel." Entrevistas y estadísticas demográficas describen una universidad que ha incrementado su alcance global, su inscripción de estudiantes de color, y el prestijio en la ciudad de población latina mayoritaria en la que está situada. Por otro lado, la institución ha disminuído su servicio a estudiantes de bajo ingreso, así como a la comunidad local, y su cambio de expectativas de profesores y empleados favorecen grupos privilegiados.

Accountable to whom? Reimagining Hispanic serving institutions’ financial models

“…As a result, some HSIs have engaged in various actions to garner financial resources for survival, stability, and enhancing the educational experiences of students. Some HSIs, for example, have pursued "tier 1" status as a way to generate more financial resources connected to research and institutional prestige (DeTurk & Briscoe, 2021;Doran, 2015). Striving toward tier 1 status, however, may result in adverse impacts to the historical mission of some HSIs.…”

“…Some HSIs, for example, have pursued “tier 1” status as a way to generate more financial resources connected to research and institutional prestige (DeTurk & Briscoe, 2021; Doran, 2015). Striving toward tier 1 status, however, may result in adverse impacts to the historical mission of some HSIs.…”

“…In 2013, UTSA announced its plan to achieve R1 status. Between 2005 and 2015, while Latinx enrollments remained high at UTSA, declines in serving the local community, low‐income, part‐time, and older students were observable (DeTurk & Briscoe, 2021). Out of 96 HSI grants awarded by the federal government in 2015, only one project abstract included enhancing community or culture as a main focus of the HSI grant while this was more prevalent in other MSI‐funded programs (Boland,2018).…”