For every Hispanic student on campus, there are 45 non-Hispanics.

This equates to a population of 2.2 percent Hispanic students, an increase of 0.2 percent since a 2006 report by the Office of Institutional Research.

They represent the third smallest minority at the University, behind American Indian and multi-racial students.

Hispanic students have joined together to combine their voices and establish a respected presence at the University.

“We’re just trying to unite and work together,” said Cristina Ruiz, a third-year student from Bogotá, Colombia and president of the Hispanic Student Association.

“I enjoy teaching people about Latin-American issues,” she said. “We’re more than what you see on the news.”

Ruiz said HSA is concerned with issues of education but will encourage political action from Hispanic students in the coming year.

“More than anything, we want to just get Hispanics to go out there and vote,” she said. “I think the Hispanic votes are going to make a difference.”

Cheryl Dozier, associate provost and chief diversity officer of the Office of Institution Diversity, said the office is working to increase Hispanic enrollment at the University.

“It is critical that we have an increased presence of Hispanic students on this campus as we address regional diversity,” she said.

Multicultural Services and Programs has also supported the efforts of Hispanic students to reach out to new students.

The number of Hispanic freshmen decreased from 124 in 2006 to 104 in 2007, said Marisela Martinez, the Director of MSP.

Through programs such as Latinos Investing in Students of Tomorrow, University students help these new students “find their place” within the University.

“They’re small in number but big in heart,” Martinez said.

Paul Matthews, the assistant director for the Center for Latino Achievement & Success in Education, said that the future for Hispanic students at the University rests on their early education.

CLASE works with schools statewide to promote the education and advancement of Hispanic students through mentor programs and workshops.

“I am heartened by what I see,” Matthews said.

Through these programs, more than 135 University students have contributed 2,600 hours to tutoring Hispanic students at local schools since 2006, Matthews said.

“There’s such a wealth of talent and skills in this community,” Martinez said of the Hispanic population at the University.

“They’re passionate. They’re dedicated. They’re a powerful group of students.”