MEMBER ADVISORY

June 22, 2015

Presidential Candidates’ Positions in 2016 on HSI Issues

What are the presidential candidates’ views on issues affecting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)? The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is reaching out to candidates with its “Platform Issues and Recommendations for Presidential Candidates in 2016” to find out their positions. Among issues of concern for the 409 HSIs located in 21 states across the country and Puerto Rico are those related to underfunding of HSIs and underrepresentation of Hispanics in the workforce.

Underfunding of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)

HSIs, on average, receive only 69 cents for every federal dollar of funding all other higher education institutions receive. Closing the HSI federal funding gap, programs for HSIs and greater Hispanic participation, targeted programs for HSIs, especially in science and research intensive agencies to promote the growth of the pool of Hispanics in STEM fields, is greatly needed.

Under-representation of Hispanics in the federal labor force

Hispanics remain the only ethnic population under-represented in the federal workforce (8.2%, compared to 14.3% of the civilian workforce, and only 4.1 percent at the SES level). Two administrations in 14 years have made almost no improvement in closing the Hispanic employment gaps, including those in management and senior executive service positions.

President’s Board of Advisors on HSIs

Similar to the existing President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, the establishment of an HSIs advisory board to the President and the Secretary of Education with representation of HSIs would strengthen Hispanic higher education.

HACU’s “Platform Issues and Recommendations for Presidential Candidates in 2016” has been sent to the following candidates: Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, and Bernie Sanders; Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum and Donald Trump. The document was also sent to Reince Priebus and Debbie Wasserman, chairs of the Republican and Democratic National Committees, respectively.

HACU members are urged to discuss these issues with candidates and encourage their response. In the 2008 Presidential campaign, a similar HACU effort drew responses from five Presidential candidates.

HACU plans to release the official response from Presidential candidates after July 31, 2015.