College leaders defend HSI funding, crucial for student services, amid lawsuit challenging its designation.
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — College leaders in San Diego and Imperial Counties are defending the federal Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) program, which provides millions in funding to colleges with at least 25% Hispanic student enrollment.
The defense comes in response to a recent lawsuit filed against the Department of Education seeking to end the program’s federal designation and funding. The Department of Justice has stated it will not protect HSI funding from this legal challenge.
At a press conference held at Southwestern College on a rainy day, officials from the San Diego & Imperial Counties Community College Association highlighted the importance of the $15.3 million in HSI funding they receive. The program provides essential support services such as tutoring and counseling to students, particularly benefiting first-generation college attendees.
“As a first-generation American, my parents aren’t really caught up to the opportunities that I’ve had,” said Manuel Juarez, a junior at San Diego State University who credits HSI funding for his academic success.
The lawsuit, filed by the state of Tennessee and the group Students for Fair Admissions, aims to end HSI funding, arguing that it constitutes race-based classification in higher education.
Students for Fair Admissions, in a statement, said, “It is time to end race-based classifications in higher-education funding. Federal dollars should follow need, not ethnicity.”
Don Dumas, President of Southwestern College, refuted claims that the HSI program is similar to affirmative action.
“That’s absolutely incorrect, it’s not affirmative action,” said Dumas. He emphasized that the services funded by HSI are available to all students, stating, “Those tutorings, those career pathways are open to any and all students. They’re just partially funded by these federal funds.”
The controversy follows recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings against affirmative action in college admissions, resulting from lawsuits involving Students for Fair Admissions.
California has the highest number of HSI-qualifying colleges in the United States, underscoring the program’s significance in the state’s higher education landscape.
