Hispanic University Receives $950,000 from State Budget

Release Date: July 26, 2001
Contact: Roberto Cruz II  (408) 482-0703

East San Jose - Thanks to Senator John Vasconcellos and Assembly member Manny Diaz, The National Hispanic University was a $950,000 winner in the tough State budget process, which was just signed by Governor Gray Davis on July 26, 2001. The allocation will go towards the purchase of the 11‑acre NHU campus in East San Jose. Senator Vasconcellos had requested $1 million and Assembly member Manny Diaz $400,000. Both requests were reduced as a result of budgetary processes to $700,000 and $250,000 respectively.

"We are truly indebted to Senator Vasconcellos, Assembly member Manny Diaz and Governor Davis for their commitment to the education of Hispanics and under‑represented populations in the State, in general, and East San Jose, in particular," stated Dr. Roberto Cruz, NHU President. "There are many politicians that talk a good game but make excuses about the energy crisis or the economic downturn for not delivering, today John, Manny and Governor Davis stepped up to the plate and delivered and the winners are our students," concluded Cruz.

The appropriation will go toward the purchase of the 11‑acre campus on Story Road, which the University currently leases. Senator John Vasconcellos sees the NHU as a key producer of teachers, particularly, minority bilingual teachers. "My dream is for Hispanics in East San Jose to own their own University property to continue to prepare future generations of leaders and our future workforce," state Senator Vasconcellos. "If this allocation has enabled NHU to own their "piece of the rock", then I am very happy," concluded Vasconcellos.

The NHU is designing a $25 million capital campaign for the purchase and construction of new facilities on the Story Road campus. The first major step in this campaign is the purchase of the campus, which this appropriation has enabled. NHU now is moving forward with capital campaign planning to seek contributors for the construction of first‑class facilities for NHU students.

The National Hispanic University is an independent, accredited, non‑profit postsecondary educational institution authorized to grant degrees since 1981. The NHU offers degree programs in business, liberal studies, computer science and a credential program for teachers. The University has established joint degree partnerships with San Jose State University, San Jose City/Evergreen Community Colleges and NASA/Ames Research Center.