CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE

In December 1975 Congressman Charles Rangel wrote this letter to the Chairman of the Board of [Higher] Education, Alfred Giardino, to convey his opposition to the closure of Hostos Community College. As the United States Congressman representing a substantial portion of Hostos students, Rangel articulated that the preservation of Hostos Community College was crucial in order to offer opportunities for upward mobility for members of his district who relied on bilingual education.

In response to the New York City fiscal crisis that was occurring at the time, 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, staff, and community groups joined forces to keep Hostos open for the community.