September 15, 2017

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week observed, Sept. 18-24, 2017, Senate honors HSIs with a Resolution 

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is proud to announce that National Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) week will be observed Sept. 18-24, 2017. The observance takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Each year, HACU government relations staff works with members of Congress to recognize the contributions of over 470 HSIs in their communities.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the work, goals, and achievements of HSIs throughout our nation by designating National HSIs week. The resolution was approved unanimously by the full Senate on Sept 13, 2017. A copy of the resolution can be found here.

"As a product of a Hispanic-Serving Institution in my home state of New Jersey, I am proud to reintroduce this resolution to continue recognizing the critical work these institutions do for our nation’s diverse student bodies and for the Latino community in general,” said Senator Menendez. “Not only are HSIs imperative to our goal of educating the next generation of American leaders, but they are also indispensable to our effort to combat the current wave of anti-Latino sentiment in our public discourse. With more than 57 million strong, Latinos are the nation’s largest ethnic group. The future economic success of this country will depend on a well-educated Hispanic workforce.  It is in our best interest to ensure that every Latino youth has access to the quality affordable higher education they need in order to unleash the creativity and drive that will lead this nation to a brighter tomorrow.”

“HACU joins the more than 470 nonprofit Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the observance of HSI Week to celebrate the many accomplishments in Hispanic higher education. We are pleased that the U.S. Senate has adopted S.R. 253 in recognition of the important role HSIs play in improving access to education and grateful to the office of Senator Menendez for, once again, leading this effort in the Senate” added Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO, HACU.       

Joining Menendez in cosponsoring this resolution were Senators: Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Jon Cornyn (R-Texas.), Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Martin Heinrich (DN.M.),  Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.).

To download a list of suggestion of how campus can celebrate the contributions of HSIs on their campus, click here. 

Share your institution’s plans to celebrate National HSIs Week with HACU. Submit your event via email to HACU or via Twitter @HACUNews or Facebook. Use hashtag #HSIWeek #HSIs

For information or questions about National HSIs week, contact HACU Government Relations office via email or at 202-833-8361.