CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE

This leaflet, distributed by the Community Coalition to Save Hostos, announces a march to the headquarters of the Emergency Financial Control Board (EFCB) in May of 1976. The EFCB was the body put in place to manage the budget crisis plaguing New York City. Made up largely of business people and bankers alongside city and state officials, the board was viewed as the driving force behind the massive cuts to public services New Yorkers sustained, including cuts to funding for CUNY. This leaflet articulates why the Community Coalition to Save Hostos was formed, the value of Hostos to its community, the efforts of those trying to stop Hostos’ closure, and solicits participation from supporters.

In 1976, in response to the New York City fiscal crisis, Hostos Community College was slated to merge with Bronx Community College in order to dramatically cut spending. It was this threat that led to the second iteration of organizing to save Hostos. Determined to preserve Hostos for the South Bronx as a place for students to pursue a bilingual higher education, students, faculty, and community groups joined forces to keep Hostos open for the community.