This post was updated Dec. 1 at 11:10 p.m.
Undergraduate Students Association Council General Representative Diego Emilio Bollo’s office held its first Latine Caucus on Nov. 6, during which participants discussed UCLA’s goal of achieving Hispanic-Serving Institution status.

The caucus, which around 20 students attended, took place in Moore Hall. The event featured three parts: updates about UCLA’s initiative to become an HSI, which requires at least 25% of full-time undergraduate students to identify as Latinx; information about how organizations can apply for USAC funding; and a discussion between attendees.

Bollo said the event was important to provide members of the Latine community a space to express themselves, especially in the wake of the presidential election, which occurred the day before.

“This is a space to heal and process what was going on with other Latine students,” said Bollo, a third-year labor studies and political science student.

[Related: Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to win 2024 presidential election]

Bollo added that he felt it was important that his office was not only providing resources for Latine students but also taking in feedback from the community.

The caucus began with a presentation on UCLA’s goal to become an HSI by 2025. As part of the initiative, UCLA is set to open a Latinx Success Center in De Neve Birch in January.

[Related: UCLA to establish Latinx Success Center in support of academic, cultural community]

During the presentation, Bollo said a student advisory board will be added to the UCLA Office of the Chancellor to ensure student input is being incorporated into the center’s establishment. He added that a search committee that includes academic faculty, representatives from UCLA Student Affairs and an undergraduate student from the advisory board has been created to find an executive director for the center.

Following the presentation on the Latinx Success Center, Bollo explained how Latine student organizations can apply for USAC funding.

Julissa Mendoza Davila, Bollo’s chief of staff, said applying for funding is important for securing a club’s future.

“You’re applying for the future people in your club,” said Mendoza Davila, a second-year political science student. “You’re also marking a path for the future of your organization, advocating for the future of your organization and teaching your successors how to achieve.”

During the presentation, Bollo outlined the sources from which student organizations may receive USAC funding, including the Arts Restoring Community Fund, the Bruin Advocacy Grant and the Student Wellness Programming Fund.

Alexis Ayala-Alvarado, a co-chair of Unión Centroamericana de Estudiantes – a student organization that represents Central American students on campus – said funding applications can be very involved, adding that financial advocacy has been a priority for their organization.

“We know the money is there, and it’s a lot of money that should go into student orgs,” they said.

The caucus ended with an open discussion about various topics, including election results. Bollo said creating an open environment is important to gain trust within the Latine community.

Ayala-Alvarado said the discussion was important, adding that many subgroups within the Latine community have historically been excluded from conversations.

Javier Rodriguez-Rivera, a fourth-year Chicana and Chicano studies student who attended the event, said the space was important for members of the community to share concerns, adding that being able to understand the perspectives of others – including those who have different political beliefs – is a good step.

Rodriguez-Rivera, who considers himself to be a member of the political left, said it is therefore important to understand why people may have voted for President-elect Donald Trump. He added that the discussion at the end of the caucus was an important step in building such understanding.

[Related: The Quad: Exploring UCLA’s goal to be designated as a Hispanic-serving institution]

While the caucus was initially billed in an Instagram post as annual, Bollo said he intends to hold another in December or January. He said as UCLA aims to achieve HSI status, he hopes to see more student expression and engagement with the UCLA administration.

“We don’t want HSI just to be a marketing brand, a strategic communications thing on their end, but … something that institutionally supports Latine students,” Bollo said.