Since its evolution from a week-long to month-long observation, Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, has proven staying power. The nationally recognized month (September 15 through October 15) celebrates the countless contributions of Americans with ancestral ties to the Caribbean Spanish-speaking nations, Central America, Mexico, and South America. This year’s theme “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” aims to highlight the community’s spirit of unity, innovation, and resilience.  
 
But in spite of centuries of positive impact on our region, our state and nation - and continued economic strides - there is still hate and harm aimed at Latinx communities in Oregon and our nation at-large. According to Oregon Criminal Justice Commission’s Bias Crimes (2023) Report Per Senate Bill 577, underreporting is extensive. Rates of reporting differs by victim and community factors, such as language barriers, cultural barriers, fear of deportation, fear of stigmatization, shame, and more. 
 
This is unfortunate, but sadly unsurprising, considering the current climate and heightened collective paranoia regarding undocumented immigrants and U.S. border security. 
 
In the Division of Equity and Inclusion we acknowledge that while there is disharmony in the larger world, we must remain committed to our university’s values. Honoring Hispanic and Latinx Heritage each September, October and throughout the year is just one weapon in our anti-bias arsenal. We will not let hate win. We value our diversity and seek to foster equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful community. Honoring Hispanic and Latinx Heritage each September, October and throughout the year - every year - is just one weapon in our anti-bias arsenal. We will not let hate win. As our Latinx community continues to flourish, we champion programming and invite you to take advantage of the Patos Unidos website - a safe central online space created by the Office of the Provost for our UO Latinx community to gain information, and find support, and connection.  
 
We also use this time to celebrate the achievements of Ducks of Hispanic heritage over the past year. Here are just a few student, faculty, and staff achievements of 2023-24: 

• Students Skye Grubb, Zoe McKeehan, Sebastian Ibanez Sanhueza, and Diego Solorio received 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Awards. 
• Environmental Studies and Biology Professor Lucas Silva’s research team received a $3 million federal grant to work with Oregon’s Indigenous and rural communities in an effort to reduce climate-changing carbon in the atmosphere.  
• Professor Gabriela Perez Baez was awarded a grant for her translation of a dictionary from Oaxaca, Mexico to Spanish and English.  
• Under the dedicated guidance and leadership of Gonzalo Camp (he/him/él), our Latinx and Undocumented and Trans/Gender-Expansive Students receive enhanced support.  

On campus there are many ways to connect and learn about Latinx heritage year-round. Ongoing events and culturally-specific programming at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art  celebrates encourage community, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month and year-round. On October 22, activist Dulce Gutierrez will deliver a the Be Series lecture. And the Division of Global Engagement offers opportunities for Ducks to gain a deeper understanding of Hispanic heritage through study abroad in the Americas and beyond. 
 
Groups like MEChA, Muxeres, the Latinx Strategy Group, Dreamers Working Group, the Latinx Male Alliance, Unidos@UO, a student chapter of the national Hispanic Public Relations Association, and the Latine Law Students Association (LLSA), continue to create a more inclusive environment for students. The Latinx Strategy Group and the Patos Alumni Network foster community for our faculty, staff and alumni.  
 
As we celebrate the past, we continue to look forward as we cultivate a more inclusive academic community. Initiatives such as the UO’s Latinx Studies Program, led by Assoc. Professor Audrey Lucero; the Center for Latino/a & Latin American Studies, led by Professor Christopher Chávez; the Spanish Heritage Language Program, led by Asst. Professor Sergio Loza, and the Latinx Academic Residential Community, are inspiring examples. 

Looking forward, the UO is pursuing a destination designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). HSI is a federal designation given to universities and colleges with 25% or more Hispanic enrollment. Its purpose is to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of Latinx students. It is also designed to enhance the academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability of the colleges and universities that educate the majority of Latinx students and help large numbers of them complete postsecondary degrees. Please take the time to read the HSI Task Force's Report and gain a deeper understanding of our efforts to create a university that serves all of Oregon.  
 
Strides are being made, but there is still more work to be done before Latinx history is acknowledged writ large as American history. Cinema Studies and Political Science major Diego Solorio says receiving an Undergraduate Academic Achievement Award is meaningful to him because it acknowledges the hard work of Latin American academics and creatives. “There are very few Latin American stories told in Hollywood. As a filmmaker I want to see that remedied. I hope that scripts like Chupacabra get made and that I can make it in the industry…I want film to be a viable industry for people like me.” 
 
Here, we seek to create fertile ground that encourages continued growth of students, faculty, staff and community. Leaders can work toward that end, by building stronger relationships with colleagues of Hispanic backgrounds. They can also conduct equity audits to understand and remove barriers that undermine achievement and success for students, faculty and staff of Hispanic heritage. In this spirit, we rededicate ourselves to learning about, amplifying and celebrating the people and programs of the communities that make us stronger. May we continue to pause, reflect, appreciate and celebrate the myriad ways that Hispanic/Latin American culture continues to enrich our university and our nation. As the great Cesar Chavez said, “Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” In this spirit, we continue to remove obstacles that stand in the way of student success so that we may all continue to flourish.