Highlander Empowerment Student Services Referendum (HESSR)

HESSR was voted for and funded by students to support UC Riverside’s Ethnic & Gender Programs. These programs allow all students to explore their identity, become an ally, speak their truth, and learn from meaningful experiences:

HESSR has allowed us to enhance and expand many programs.

International Role Models 
World leaders and international icons visit UCR, including Ghanaian President Mahama, Ballerina Misty Copeland, and Activist Kim Phúc Phan Thi.

Connections Across the Country 
Students attend regional and national conferences to meet and share ideas with students and leaders. Includes the Gathering of Nations Festival, Queer People of Color Conference, Queer & Asian Conference, and Creating Change Conference.

Collaborative Change 
Academic partners and student organizations create campuswide events, including the Talent Show for Syrian Refugees, Beyond R’ Margins Conference, and GendeRespect Programs.

Tools for Engagement 
Purchases are made, including furniture for study or “hang out” time, computers for online resources, and Gem Carts for accessibility and to to transport special guests who engage with the student body. The Power of Connection More gender and cultural events are held, including the Chicano/Latino Youth Conference, South Asian Exhibition, UCR Pow Wow, and Nowruz Celebration (Persian New Year).

An Investment in You 
Much-needed staff positions are filled, and professional development training is offered, to effectively serve UCR’s growing student body.

UCR Land Acknowledgement

We at UCR would like to respectfully acknowledge and recognize our responsibility to the original and current caretakers of this land, water, and air: the Cahuilla [ka-wee-ahh], Tongva [tong-va], Luiseño [loo-say-ngo], and Serrano [se-ran-oh] peoples and all of their ancestors and descendants, past, present, and future. Today this meeting place is home to many Indigenous peoples from all over the world, including UCR faculty, students, and staff, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these homelands.