FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2006

HACU Applauds Governor Schwarzenegger’s Budget Proposal Increasing Funding for Community Colleges

Sacramento, CA - The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) applauds Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget which would increase funding for K-14 by over $4 billion, including additional funds for the Community College system.  The Governor released his proposed budget on Tuesday, January 10, 2006.

Over 450,000 Hispanic students attend California’s community colleges.  The additional funding in Career Technical Education Programs ($30 million over last year’s budget) and equalization of per-student funding for community college districts will increase the ability of students at the community college level to complete career technical educational programs and finish their degrees so that they may enter the workforce prepared to assume jobs that pay well. 

“Eighty percent of all Hispanic students in California’s public 2 and 4 year colleges and universities are at community colleges.  Given the important role that community colleges play as a portal to higher education for so many California students, we are pleased that the Governor’s proposed budget increases the funds available to ensure that these students continue to receive a quality education,” said Antonio Flores, President and CEO of HACU.

HACU urges the California Legislature to pass the budget proposals increasing funding for higher education in the state – enabling many deserving students to attain their dream of a quality, affordable education.

Currently, HACU has over 99 members in the state of California, 50 of which are community colleges.  In 2005, HACU opened a regional office in Sacramento to handle Hispanic higher education legislative and policy issues in the western region of the U.S.

HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain.  Although its member institutions in the U. S. represent less than 10% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to more than three-fourths of all Hispanic college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

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