2.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide authority, policy, and guidance on the execution of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).
2.2 Policy. The Service's policy is to develop programs and coordinate activities to increase employment opportunities for students of HACU member institutions.
2.3 Authorities.
A. Executive Order 12729 of September 24, 1990. Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
B. Memorandum of Agreement dated March 15, 1990, Office of Personnel Management/HACU "Project Partnership."
C. Department of the Interior/HACU Memorandum of Understanding, June 4, 1990.
2.4 Definitions.
A. Hispanic is defined as a person whose culture is of Spanish or Latin-American origin, and whose native or ancestral language is Spanish, e.g., Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Mexican, and those whose origins are in Central or South America or Spain. Included in this group are persons of Hispanic background, regardless of race, who because of marriage or for other reasons do not presently possess Spanish surnames.
B. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is a membership organization whose members are institutions of higher education which have at least 25% enrollment of Hispanic students.
2.5 Responsibilities.
A. The Chief, Office for Human Resources serves as the principal advisor to the Director on all issues concerning the execution of the HACU program within the Service.
B. Assistant and Regional Directors will ensure implementation of the HACU program within their areas of responsibility.
C. The Assistant Regional Directors for Human Resources and the Human Resources Officer - Headquarters provide program leadership and direction at the Regional level and are responsible for coordination of all HACU program activities.
2.6 Program Development.
A. The HACU program will be used as a way to provide opportunities to HACU graduate and undergraduate students. Opportunities may be provided through part-time employment, student employment, summer employment, and student employment program appointments.
B. Students may be hired to work on projects or other work-related activities that help to achieve the Service's mission.
C. The Service may participate in HACU faculty/Service employee exchanges.
D. Surplus equipment may be donated to HACU institutions.
E. The Service will work with HACU staff in the development of fish and wildlife biology curriculum to increase the number of minority students in the biological field.
2.7 Recruitment. The Service will participate in career days, job fairs, and other on-campus career orientation and recruitment activities at HACU in an effort to provide information on career opportunities, career ladder positions, and benefits within the Service.
2.8 Cooperative Agreements. The Service will establish cooperative agreements with HACU students/schools in an effort to provide quality educational/work opportunities to HACU students.
2.9 Partnerships.
A. The Service will establish partnerships with HACU schools and schools with a high enrollment of Hispanic students to create an incentive for students to stay in school and pursue all careers in the Service with special emphasis on the natural resources field.
B. The Service, through outreach activities, will encourage partnership agreements and student exchanges between HACU schools and other institutions of higher education.
2.10 Reporting Requirements. The Office for Human Resources will submit an annual accomplishment report of HACU activities as a part of the Minorities in Education Program and Accomplishment Report (RO64-0A) to the Departmental Office for Equal Opportunity. The report responds to an annual request from the OEO and generally covers the funds obligated to HACU Program, the number of students hired under summer employment, the number of students in the Student Career Experience Program (formerly Cooperative Education), conversions to career conditional and career appointments and future plans to assist HACU.