Ozzie Rivera: Appreciate getting your concise and cogent letter to
Governor Granholm. It succinctly reflects our discussions at recent
conferences & meetings on key concerns and the connection between the
KCP Initiative and the Cherry Commission's Report.
WR
Osvaldo Rivera wrote:
> As promised in a recent meeting here is a copy of the letter I sent to
> Governor Granholm about the KCP problems dated April 8^th . This same
> letter was personally handed to her soon after.
>
>
>
> Besides attaching it to this email, I also included it in the text of
> this email.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
> Osvaldo "Ozzie" Rivera
>
> Madonna University
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *****************************
>
>
>
>
>
> April 8, 2005
>
>
>
>
>
> Honorable Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
>
> P.O. Box 30013
>
> Lansing , MI 48909
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Honorable Governor Granholm:
>
>
>
> By way of introduction, I am the director of Multicultural Affairs at
> Madonna University, a private institution, and also a member of a
> state wide network of higher education administrators and program
> directors who work directly with the recruitment and retention of
> students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
> as well as students from educationally and economically disadvantaged
> backgrounds.
>
>
>
> The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention some serious
> concerns I have which are shared by a significant number of educators
> and administrators from both private and public universities. The
> potential impact of proposed language changes for the
> King-Chavez-Parks (KCP) Initiative will negatively impact the
> aforementioned students. Of particular interest is our concern that
> this will have a chilling effect on historically underrepresented
> ethnic and racial groups.
>
>
>
> We ask for an opportunity to speak to you or to a designated
> representative about the issues detailed below.
>
>
>
> We were elated when the recent Cherry Commission Report on Higher
> Education was released and it championed the goals of increasing and
> successfully graduating a greater number of university and college
> students here in Michigan . A number of us testified before Commission
> hearings, I being one of them. We were especially delighted with your
> enthusiastic support of that report.
>
>
>
> It does appear that you have not been well served and advised in your
> efforts to move ahead with your higher education agenda. Recent
> language changes proposed by the Department of Management and Budget
> for the Executive Budget Bill re:the King Chavez Parks Initiative go
> counter to the spirit of the Commission report and your own goals.
> What is proposed is not good policy, is not inclusive and undermines a
> commitment to higher education. This will gut successful program
> interventions which have been in place for close to two decades and
> which have played a critical role in insuring the diversity of our
> university and college campuses. This is especially troubling given
> that the dollar amount involved, 5.1 million dollars, is a rather
> miniscule amount given the state's total budget. Quite frankly more
> funds are needed.
>
>
>
> Though this letter does not propose to go into extensive analysis I
> will offer a few examples to give some indication of some of its
> potential impact.
>
>
>
> Proposed language would cut out private universities and colleges,
> historically a key partner in the fight to retain and graduate
> minority students. In recent conversations with my colleagues in
> public institutions they have unequivocally stated their opposition to
> such a move.
>
>
>
> Additional language would cut back college visitation days to only
> high school students. Research shows this type of intervention must
> start earlier. Our practice has been to include middle school students
> in the King Chavez Parks College Days.
>
>
>
> Furthermore proposed language limits services to students of color,
> whereas KCP funded programs historically have been more encompassing.
>
>
>
> Now that the executive budget bill with its proposed language changes
> is being discussed within the legislative bodies, many of us who work
> so hard around retention issues are fearful that our progress to date
> and future efforts are in jeopardy.
>
>
>
> We welcome an opportunity to speak to you and/or your designated
> representative. I can be reached at (734)432-5541 during regular
> business hours.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Osvaldo Rivera
>
> Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs
>
>
>
