July 22, 2010
Member Advisory
National HSIs Week - September 19-25, 2010
HSI Assisting Communities: Notice of Funding Availability

National HSIs Week

HACU is calling on all presidents and chancellors of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to make plans to celebrate National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, September 19-25, 2010. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate plan to introduce and pass resolutions to commemorate this week, which will recognize the contributions of HSIs in their communities.

“Hispanic-Serving Institutions each year touch the lives of millions of students. At a time when the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s only fitting that we also celebrate and promote the work of HSIs in educating the future workforce of this nation,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “HSIs play a unique role in communities across the nation and these institutions can celebrate their accomplishments during National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week.”

Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Education Taskforce, and Senator Robert Menéndez, the nation’s only Hispanic Senator, will reintroduce resolutions to designate the week of September 19th as National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week and will also request that the President issue a proclamation to observe HSI week nationally. HACU is working with Congressman Grijalva and Senator Menéndez to bring the resolutions to a vote the week of September 20.

“Hispanic-Serving Institutions provide the supports needed to help low-income Hispanic students, many of whom are first generation college students, complete their degrees and prepare for professional careers,” said Congressman Grijalva. “This resolution honors the work and commitment of HSIs in facilitating the higher educational needs of Hispanic students through institutional and academic support as well as tutoring and student services and calls on the President to designate a week in recognition of their efforts.”

HACU encourages all HSIs to celebrate this week as they deem appropriate.

Listed below please are some suggestions on how to prepare to celebrate National HSIs Week, September 19-25, 2010,  at your campuses.

1.      Raise Awareness
Partner with your local newspaper or radio station to advertise National HSIs Week and the events being sponsored by your institution. This increased visibility will highlight the outstanding contributions made by these institutions on a local, national, and international scale.

2.      Campus Forum
Organize a town hall meeting with students, faculty, staff and community leaders to explore issues of particular interest to the HSIs community.

3.      Organize a Community-Wide Activity
Build and promote campus-community partnerships to address various issues impacting the local community.

4.      On and Off the Web
Web site suggestions: Post acknowledgements of HSIs on your institution's Web site; and/or download a copy of the Senate Resolution and Presidential Proclamation commemorating this event.  .

5.      Student Showcase
Seek to arrange for your institution's choir, band, cheerleading squad, fraternity or sorority to perform during events held to commemorate National HSIs Week. You may also highlight the week during a sporting event any day during that week.

6.      Celebrate National HSIs Week in your own unique way.

Contact:
Laura Maristany
HACU Executive Director of Legislative Affairs 
202-261-2090

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities: Notice of Funding Availability

The Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) encourages Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the nation to apply for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s MSI-University Partnership Program grants.

These programs are designed to address the unique needs of the communities served by MSIs. MSIs include Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Institutions.The HUD MSI-University Partnership Programs represents a set of powerful tools for these institutions to enhance our nation’s competitiveness and promote social stability and cultural richness.

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) program under HUD’s Office of University Partnerships is designed to assist HSIs to expand their role and effectiveness in addressing community development needs in their localities, including neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, specifically for persons of low- and moderate-income.This is one of few grants where funding is allowed for construction and renovation related costs.

Posted Date: July 16, 2010
Category of Funding Activity: Community Development, Education Employment, Labor and Training
Estimated Total Program Funding: $6,000,000
Award Ceiling: $600,000
Deadline: Application must be received before August 16, 2010.
Additional Info: Nonprofit Hispanic-Serving Institutions must meet the definition of an HSI established in Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101), as amended.All applicants must be institutions of higher education granting two or four-year degrees that are fully accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. An applicant may submit a separate application for each campus. Only one application can be submitted per campus. If multiple applications are submitted from the same campus, all will be disqualified.
https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/UpdateOffer?id=19773

Contact Info:
Madlyn Wohlman-Rodriguez
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of University Partnerships
(202) 402-5939
www.oup.org
espanol.hud.gov

HACU Member Advisories are a service of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities