Do not calm universities that serve minorities

Earlier this month, the US Department of Education has moved to final appreciation financing, which was allocated by Congress for programs to grant institutions that serve minorities, including institutions that serve Spanish origin. This procedure is very disappointing.

More concern, this step comes before the courts resolve the lawsuit that defies the legitimacy of institutions that serve Spanish origin and other names of institutions that serve minorities.

Prepare not only undermines confidence in this process, but also raises questions about the unique roles and powers of legislative and executive branches – the best questions they left for leaders and legislative lawyers.

As an educational institution, our focus focuses on what the administration is doing in practice.

Immediately, it creates a financial challenge for hundreds of colleges and universities that use programs for granting institutions that serve minorities to ensure effective and effective service for students. The immediate loss of financing will reduce the quality and scope of the programs and services available to students throughout the country.

Congress created these programs because they realized that institutions that serve minorities serve large groups of deprived students, and thanks to that task, they often work with less resources than their peers. This decision ignores this reality.

At Mount St. Vincent University in Bronx, a scholarship developed Latin institutions to serve Spanish origin, granting fellowships of new faculty members, university research opportunities, expanded STEM support programs and student guidance programs.

These investments improve the results not only for Spanish students, who make up a third of university students in Riverdale, but for all first -class students on campus.

It is important to understand what is naming institutions of Spanish descent-and otherwise.

The status of the institution of Spanish origin does not provide sweat preferences in acceptance. Instead, it ensures that institutions that already register large numbers of Spanish origin have the opportunity to receive federal support through competitive grant programs. If granted, institutions that serve Spanish origin, then use grant funds to better serve all students.

Institutions that serve Spanish origin in the country are registered more than two -thirds of all Spanish university students. But the benefits extend through the demographics – through academic guidance, advice for financial assistance, job development, and more.

In fact, among the non -profit colleges and universities, 30 percent of university students are recorded in an institution that serves from Spanish origin.

In addition to the immediate financial impact, the management procedure creates a turning point around values ​​and priorities.

The Minority Management Corporation grant programs have been created to develop stocks in higher education as a way for social and economic mobility for life. Service institutions were established of Spanish origin in particular because, as well as the Ministry of Education’s data, it is likely that students of Spanish origin are university students from the first generation and facing financial, linguistic and cultural barriers in front of higher education.

The institutions that receive these awards – including two universities – have shown their commitment and ability to meet students’ needs and make these opportunities possible.

At Mount St. Vincent University, half of our students receive grants at night, nearly half of them are the first in their families who join the university and we are recognized at the national level of social mobility and economic diversity. Not only leaves our graduates with strong academic preparation, but they leave the purpose and professional preparation.

Our mission recognizes the dignity of every human person. This means staying fixed in ensuring access to changing education of life, especially for those who have been historically excluded from it.

We invite Congress leaders and colleagues through higher education to defend the financing of minority service institutions and reaffirm our joint commitment to fairness.

Suzan R. Burns, PhD, President of the University of Mount St. Vincent.