UPR to lose millions in federal funding as a Hispanic-serving institution

UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde

By THE STAR STAFF

Following the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that it will eliminate federal funding for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) programs, University of Puerto Rico (UPR) President Zayira Jordán Conde on Thursday outlined the immediate actions the institution plans to take.

The repeal of millions of dollars in federal funding is expected to have serious repercussions to the already ailing financial state of the island’s main public university system, officials said.

“We are in communication with several offices regarding this situation,” Jordán Conde said. “Support has already been requested from the Puerto Rico Office of Federal Affairs [PRFAA] in Washington to address the impact of this decision on various academic initiatives and resource access across our campuses.”

The UPR president also stated that she will implement institutional measures to activate available support mechanisms.

“Moreover, I will report on the budget impact to the University of Puerto Rico Board of Governors and the [Financial] Oversight [and Management] Board to explore joint actions that will help us respond to and mitigate the negative effects of this decision on our students and our institutional mission,” Jordán Conde added.

She said the funding from the HSI and MSI programs, which were eliminated by the federal government, is vital for supporting research, expanding technological infrastructure, providing tutoring, enhancing faculty strength, and improving access to science, technology and engineering programs at several UPR campuses.

“Our commitment is steadfast: we will do everything possible to secure the necessary resources for our university and ensure access to quality higher education for our students,” the UPR president asserted.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced Wednesday that the agency will cut $350 million in grants to some of the country’s most diverse colleges and universities, including HSIs and MSIs. The decision aligns with reasoning presented in a July letter from the Department of Justice to Congress, which claimed that the grants are discriminatory and unconstitutional.

McMahon also stated that the federal government will discontinue grants to other minority-serving institutions, including those catering to Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Asian American, and Native American Pacific Islander populations.

HSIs are designated as colleges and universities that serve a student population with 25% or more students of Latino descent. The designation is unrelated to admission criteria or decisions.