In Recognition of and Support for Funding for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)

Adopted at the 90th Annual Meeting in 2022

  • WHEREAS, minority serving institutions (MSIs) including Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH) were established in response to the history of inequality and a lack of access for minority communities to majority institutions; and

    WHEREAS, there are roughly 700 MSIs throughout the nation, representing approximately 14% of all degree-granting, Title IV-eligible institutions of higher education; and

    WHEREAS, collectively MSIs enroll nearly 5 million students, which is roughly 28% of all undergraduates enrolled in American higher education; and

    WHEREAS, MSIs overall occupy a unique place in the nation as they are critical for realizing our higher education goals by primarily serving communities who might not otherwise attend college such as first-generation students and students of color; and

    WHEREAS, MSIs play an important role in the nation's economy by preparing a diverse workforce and preparing underrepresented students for graduate and professional schools; and

    WHEREAS, MSIs serve many financially challenged students, over 50% of all students enrolled at MSIs receive Pell grants support while only 31% of students overall; and

    WHEREAS, MSIs provide students of color with stronger academic experiences and more supportive environments while in college than do non-MSIs; and

    WHEREAS, Chicago is home to four PBIs, four HSIs, and two AANAPISIs and Chicago State University (a PBI) is within the top 4% of all universities in economic mobility for students; and

    WHEREAS, even while operating with limited resources, MSIs outperform non-MSIs in regards to completion rates, full time students enrolled at public four-year PBIs had a higher completion rate of nearly 52%, compared to a federal graduation rate of 16.6%; and

    WHEREAS, MSIs have higher mobility rates than that of non-MSIs, four-year PBIs had a mobility rate 3.3% which is more than double that of non-MSIs 1.5%;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors recognizes the value of MSIs and urges a greater national recognition of the importance of these institutions; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to increase funding of Title III and Title V programs that benefit MSI undergraduate and graduate programs, including investment in academic programs and services as well as capital expenditures to advance the mission of MSIs.
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