Colleges and Universities sign letter urging Congressional Action to protect funding for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and over 140 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging HSIs and higher education organizations signed a letter urging Congress to act now to protect critical federal resources for HSIs. The letter follows an announcement made by the Administration to abandon its defense of the HSI program in federal court, and abruptly announcing the defunding of all Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) programs.

The loss of funding will disproportionately harm Latino communities, but the damage would be far reaching. These federal funds support a wide range of initiatives, including campus infrastructure projects, science labs, advising and curriculum development that benefit all students attending HSIs. Hispanic-Serving Institutions serve over two-thirds of Latino undergraduates nationwide and serve more than 5.6 million students of all backgrounds. Stripping institutions of resources because they serve Latino students is unjust and legally unsound.

The signatories called for action to reaffirm congressional support for HSIs and the millions of students served nationwide, and to ensure continued protection and funding for the HSI program in the face of these attacks. This action falls well within the authority of Congress to recognize and remedy racial disparities in education. Our nation's ability to prepare the next generation of leaders, innovators, and workers will be severely undermined without Congressional leadership.

The letters were sent to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Appropriations, the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Education & Workforce, the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Labor-HHS Subcommittees, and the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on HELP.