In the Footsteps of the Women of 1900

October 26, 2025

In the Footsteps of the Women of 1900
Remarks for Cap & Gown Convocation
President Patricia McGuire
October 25, 2025

 Congratulations, seniors, Class of 2026!  The regalia you now wear so proudly vests you with your status as true scholars and leaders in the Trinity community and beyond.  Your robes link you in that long line of Trinity women reaching across 12 decades to the very first Trinity pioneers.

In November 1900 when the first brave students made their way onto Trinity’s campus, with Main Hall still under construction, they kindled a revolution that still burns bright to this very day.  Let’s take a minute to think about the arcs of history and justice from their vantage point:

In 1900, this nation was just 111 years old and had already suffered many grievous conflicts and doubts about this experiment in democracy and liberty.

In 1900, slavery had only been abolished for 37 years via the Emancipation Proclamation; the Civil War with its still-fresh wounds in the national psyche had ended just 35 years previously.  1900 was only four years past the nefarious “separate but equal” ruling of the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson that held that segregated facilities did not violate the Constitutional right to equal protection.  It would take another half century for the Supreme Court to right that historic wrong, in 1954, ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that segregated schools were inherently unequal.  It would take ten more years for the Civil Rights Act to pass in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act to become law in 1965.  Laws that are now in jeopardy, sad to say.

In 1900, small groups of progressive women had been talking about women’s rights for about 52 years since Elizabeth Cady Stanton and friends first gathered to declare women’s rights at Seneca Falls.  It would take another 20 years for women to win the right to vote in 1920, and even longer — 72 years — for women to earn equal rights in education through the enactment of Title IX in 1972.

In fact, the founding of Trinity was necessary because women had so few collegiate options in 1900.  Mt. Holyoke, the first of the seven sister colleges, was 63 years old, but Wellesley and Smith had just turned 25 and Bryn Mawr was a mere teenager, only 15.  Many people disparaged the then-new women’s colleges as dangerous fads.  Among conservative Catholic circles, some even declared Trinity’s founding to be part of a heresy called “Americanism.”

The women who moved into the south wing of Main Hall in November 1900 were progressive souls, eager to learn and flourish in an age when a college education was a rare privilege even for men, and rarer still for women.  They were also women astride enormous chasms of social, economic and political upheaval as this nation and world marched inexorably forward into times of great inventions (electricity, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, new technologies) fostering rapid social change, propelled even more swiftly through the world wars, political and economic revolutions of the 20th Century.  Trinity’s pioneer women used their education here to engage with, shape and lead the forces of change across that dynamic century.

What do those women of 1900 have to do with you, Trinity students of 2025?  They are your foremothers, sisters in the spirit bound to you, and you to them, through the values and traditions of Trinity.  They started our traditions of class colors (they were the first Red Class) and the Cap and Gown tradition that we continue to this very day.  But more than colors and academic costumes, they were the women who started Trinity’s long tradition of education for justice, the formation of citizen leaders who see the problems of this world as theirs and ours to confront, address, resolve in every way possible.

They did not ask why women were excluded from higher education, but instead they asked Why Not — why not develop the knowledge and skills and talents necessary to lead in a tumultuous time.

As we look back on the women of 1900, we can see how time collapses across the decades, how issues we thought were long-settled have risen up like so many rock formations after large earthquakes.  This nation is almost 250 years old now, and yet, values and principles we thought were long settled in 1776 and 1789 are no longer universally accepted; Democracy, itself, seems precarious as authoritarianism rises.

The Civil War, so close still in 1900, seems uneasily close again, haunting our politics and civic compact with new strains of racial venom, a loud keening that seems to mourn the “lost cause.”  After a century of hard-won battles for civil rights, we are now told by our government that we dare not speak of, teach about, practice fundamental ideas of diversity, equity and inclusion — words that in our modern history became the polite scrim shadowing our still-unresolved national struggle and sins of racial injustice and oppression.

I need not tell you that we live in dangerous times, my friends.  The boots of the National Guard stomping along our streets sound the danger, but even more, the shadows of ICE lurking at train stations and along bus routes and outside places where day laborers seek work, the cruel and inhumane snatching of bodies of mothers and fathers and children whose only alleged crime is a lack of papers — papers! — these dangers and nefarious arrests are the shame of our nation and a scandalous assault on human rights.  Surely a lack of papers can be cured easily if a just and compassionate nation had the willpower to fix it.  Whatever happened to the “self-evident truths” about “inalienable rights” to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”??

The Great American Experiment seems on many days to be fraying beyond repair, and yet, on other days, we see the American spirit roaring back to proclaim the very reasons why our founders fought a revolution and declared their independence:  No Kings!

We see people marching and proclaiming that We, the People, are the rulers of our own society and our own fate.  We’ve been there before in this nation.  50 years ago, when I sat in this very chapel wearing my cap and gown for the first time, the my classmates and I —- like you, a Green Class — were already veterans of marching — marching to end a war, to achieve some peace, to secure civil rights and women’s rights.  We thought we made progress back then, only now to see the stones roll back down the mountain.  And so new generations must march again!

As we look back in wonder and admiration at those pioneer women 125 years ago, we must realize that the long arc of history also teaches a hard, inexorable lesson:  no rights are forever, we cannot take our form of government for granted, our privileges should always count less than our obligations to work even harder for equity, fairness and justice for all.  Our greatest, most precious obligation is to pass our freedom and prosperity on to future generations, each striving to achieve even more than the last.

You may hear all of this and be saying to yourself: “Wait!  I don’t want to lead a revolution, I just want to be a good nurse!” Or maybe you are an immigrant or a person of color thinking, “How can I lead others when I feel so oppressed, threatened, at risk myself?”  Your hesitation is understandable, given the risks of this moment, but being a mere bystander is not a choice. Dangerous times demand courageous responses.

You don’t have to march in the streets to stand up and be counted. We spent yesterday, Friday, in a symposium examining the influence of Catholic teachings on social justice from Trinity’s founding on through our work today.  As the generations of Trinity students and graduates have done across twelve decades, you will raise up and exemplify the values of freedom, equality and social justice in the excellence of the work you do each day; in the compassion you extend to your patients and students and clients; in the care you show for truth and integrity in all of your actions; in the choices you make about the causes for which you will be advocates and activists in your communities; in the voluntary sharing of your talents and resources with those in need; in the solidarity you express with others who accompany you on this journey; in the ways in which you teach your children to follow your good example.

No one person can ensure the change we desire in our communities and this nation, but together, we can unite as a powerful force for good, for justice and peace as Trinity students and graduates have done for 125 years.

May you leave this Cap and Gown convocation today vested with the strength, wisdom and love of the Trinity to be your constant companions, sources of support and inspiration all the days of your lives.

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Continue reading →

Read comments (0)     Add Comment

Federal Shutdown Affecting Trinity Community

October 22, 2025

We conducted a campus survey to find out how the federal government shutdown, now 3 weeks old, is affecting members of the Trinity community.  57% of those who responded were students; 23% were faculty (both full-time and part-time); and 19% were staff. In the comments below, respondents express many concerns about finances, mental health and career change support.  Trinity offers support for those affected by the federal shutdown in several ways:

 

We will provide additional information, resources and guidance as the shutdown drags on.  For now, you can see the results of our survey below, and feel free to add you comments using the comment link at the bottom, or email me directly at president@trinitydc.edu

Q1: Our first question asked whether the respondent is a federal worker, or has family members as federal workers, or contractors, or internships:

Q2:  Estimate of the Likely Financial or Other Impact of the Federal Shutdown on You and Your Family

Here we begin to see the real toll that the shutdown is having; some of the answers:

  • The government shutdown has cause financial hardship for my family and me due to a $1,200
    loss in income, making it difficult to manage essential expenses.
  • $5,100 of expenses within this month. I am not able pay all of my bills.
  • $28,000
  • Government shutdown result in a loss of income while my regular pay is disrupted. This could make it difficult to cover essential expenses such as bills, food, household items, and other basic necessities for my family and I.
  • $7,000
  • $5,500
  • $6,000
  • Devastating
  • $2,000
  • $4,200
  • Both parents will lose 100% of income for the duration of shutdown
  • Significant
  • Huge
  • We will struggle to buy food and pay rent
  • $8,000
  • $70,000
  • We were behind from cutbacks but housing, food, and healthcare are at the top of the list.

Q3 Do you or members of your household work in local private service businesses that would suffer losses in a federal government shutdown, e.g., restaurants, car services, dry cleaners, similar services that would lose business in a shutown?

30% – YES
70% – NO

  • I work for [an] agency that operates as a private contractor, and our budget depends partly on federal funding. The shutdown has reduced and delayed funding, which affects my ability to provide services, earn my regular income, and meet basic needs such as food, bills, and household expenses. This financial uncertainty has created additional stress and instability for my family.
  • My father works as a banquet server at a hotel. So I expect that there would be a loss of
    business in the hotel from the government shutdown
  • A member of my household may suffer losses because they work at a local private business.
    The business may decrease as a result of federal workers not being able to work or get paid.

Q4 Are there other ways in which a government shutdown might have an impact on you or your family?

  • The government shutdown also impact my family by delaying access to public services and
    programs we rely on, such as healthcare, housing assistance, and community resources.
  • Inability to pay bills Strain on mental health We may lose housing
  • I think another way a government shutdown might impact my family is through healthcare. We
    are all under a low-income healthcare plan, so that might be affected from the shutdown.
  • Loss of business as it relates to other government contracts that were in the process of being
    negotiated
  • We could lose the benefits of medical insurance, my monthly benefit from TANF, and food
    security from SNAP
  • Government support including but not limited to, SNAP, Maryland Medicaid; and temporary
    housing

Q5 What should Trinity be planning to do to support members of our campus community during the government shutdown?

  • Trinity should plan to provide financial, academic, and emotional support to students and staff
    affected by a government shutdown. This could include offering emergency financial
    assistance, flexible payment plans, access to food and housing resources, and clear
    communication about available support services. Additionally, Trinity could provide counseling
    and mental health resources to help community members cope with the stress and uncertainty
    caused by the shutdown.
  • Plan fun activities to relieve stress (i.e., movie nights, sound baths, massage therapy, yoga &
    pilates classes. Host these events during times when the non-traditional students can
    participate & engage with the TWU community.
  • Trinity should plan to use any extra funds in the budget to provide financial assistance to
    students, staff, or faculty directly affected by the government shutdown. This support could
    help cover essential expenses like food, transportation, and household needs until regular
    income resumes.
  • Listening sessions are always good.
  • I think reassurance is key in supporting members of our campus community especially when it comes to things like healthcare and aid. I know for me personally, I’m worried about federal aid and state aid might become less accessible.
  • Grocery gift cards, Extra mental health days.
  • Offer the ability to live on campus without the meal plan. If my family is unable to support my rent during shutdown, having the ability to stay on campus without having to buy the meal plan (as they are super unaffordable for me) would be helpful
  • Give me more time to pay off my balance.
  • Maybe a food drive and connecting with non-profit organizations for housing services.
  • Free to discounted new training and retraining courses in IT, computer application courses to displaced federal workers. Resume support and development.
  • Wellness, professional development, and career planning sessions
Continue reading →

Read comments (0)     Add Comment

Remembering Dr. Saundra Herndon Oyewole

October 5, 2025

(Dr. Saundra Herndon Oyewole)

A brilliant mind, a beautiful soul — how else to describe our beloved Trinity teacher, colleague and friend?  Dr. Saundra Herndon Oyewole exuded class and charm, but never with haughty airs or boastful chatter.  She was always a thoughtful, gracious and kind presence for all who knew her.

Dr. Oyewole, who died on September 26, was deeply devoted to her family as well as her students and fellow faculty members at Trinity.  I first met her when I became Trinity’s president in 1989.  After a stint at Hampshire College, Dr. Oyewole had joined Trinity’s Biology faculty in 1981, soon earning tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, and I was pleased to appoint her to the then-new position of Clare Boothe Luce Professor of Biology.  When Saundra’s dear husband Godwin came to visit, we swapped stories of our experiences at Georgetown Law Center.  And I always enjoyed seeing their children Tunde, Kolade and Aramide when they visited their mom at Trinity.  Saundra and Godwin were both graduates of the University of Massachusetts Ph.D. program (Saundra in Microbiology, Godwin in Communication).  In her earlier education, Dr. Oyewole earned her B.S. at Howard University and master’s degree at the University of Chicago.

Dr. Oyewole was not one to promote her roles and status as “first,” but it is important to note that she was Trinity’s first tenured Black faculty member and full professor, and later, the first Black dean and highest ranking African American at Trinity.  She was a quiet but persistent trail blazer whose legacy lives on in Trinity’s remarkable science faculty today.

As Trinity evolved through the 1990s and 2000’s, I was pleased to appoint Dr. Oyewole as Dean of the Faculty, and later Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  A tireless advocate for increasing diversity in the medical profession, Dr. Oyewole held leadership positions including serving as president of the National Association of Advisors to the Health Professions, and she was active with the Association for Women in the Sciences.  She also spent a two-year sabbatical with the National Science Foundation as Program Director for Undergraduate Education.  Closer to home, Dr. Oyewole was a faculty leader as she chaired Biology as well as the Rank & Tenure Committee, and served a term as president of Trinity’ Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

Upon her retirement in 2013, Dr. Oyewole received many accolades from her students, alumnae and faculty colleagues, hailed by all as a wonderful role model and great exemplar of Trinity’s highest values in scholarship, intellectual excellence and integrity.

We offer our condolences to her children and family, and we assure them that Dr. Oyewole’s legacy lives well in the excellent work of today’s Biology program.

Continue reading →

Read comments (1)     Add Comment

Solidarity with Immigrants, a Social Justice Imperative

October 1, 2025

Hyattsville is a lovely residential community just across the northeast DC line where Michigan Avenue becomes Queens Chapel Road.  I’ve lived here for 35 years with wonderful neighbors of all races and ethnicities, shopping at the local stores and dining at the local restaurants, enjoying peaceful tree-lined streets and carefully maintained bungalows along with some garden apartments, small businesses, and schools.

So I was horrified as I scrolled on Twitter (ok, X) last week to see a video of mayhem at a very familiar neighborhood location, the busy intersection of Queens Chapel Road and Hamilton Street.  In the video, three men are struggling, one on the ground shouting “Help me!” and two others — one with a mask — punching and wrestling with the man on the ground.  A closer look showed that the men on top wore heavy vests and soon I could see “ICE” on the labels.

And then, as I watched and to my horror, one of the ICE officers lunged for his gun that skittered onto the street, and as he reached out to grab it he appeared to be aiming it at the camera and bystanders.  Who was this man threatening to shoot my neighbors?  Why was the man on the ground being brutalized by what soon became many officers?  How could this happen on an otherwise routine morning in a quiet suburban neighborhood?

Homeland Security later said that the man on the ground was a “dangerous criminal” who was in the country illegally.  Perhaps he was, but the brutality evident in the video was unjustified.  The bystander who made the video said he and others felt that the ICE officer with the gun really might shoot them.  Later on there were protests, signs planted on the grassy median on Queens Chapel, and a neighborhood ruptured in ways that will take a long time to heal.

The “war” against undocumented immigrants that the current political regime has undertaken does not make anyone one bit safer, and instead, it makes all of us feel in danger of harm, both physical and psychological.  Every day now, it seems, we behold truly obscene videos and photographs of brutal masked men beating and dragging other human beings.  The ruthless, brutal scenes of masked men with guns apprehending people are repeated every day all over the country.

These scenes are a shame and scandal to the America I once knew, a place that offered the promise of the American Dream to people all over the world, a place that believed in due process for the accused and human rights for all.  Ok, maybe that seemed naive, but what we are witnessing today in the savage treatment of immigrants — or, in an increasing number of cases, people being “profiled” as immigrants because of their looks — is a complete betrayal of the founding principles and continuing purpose of the United States.  What is happening is also an offense against human life and dignity, the most bedrock values of Christianity and many faiths.

I am sick to death of the monstrously offensive use of the term “illegals” — the dehumanization of people who came to this country seeking relief from violence and poverty is hideous.  No human being is “illegal.”  Yes, some do not have proper papers, and if our political leaders really wanted a solution, an easier pathway to citizenship should have been forged years ago.  But not having papers does not make someone morally repugnant or deserving of abuse and disrespect.

Last Sunday, September 28, was also the 111th Observance of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.  A procession led by Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar drew more than 1000 people through the heart of Washington.

Washington Cardinal Robert McElroy offered Mass and used the occasion to give a powerful homily setting forth the Church’s teachings on human life and immigration.  His powerful words are worth reading in full (read:  Cardinal McElroy’s Homily).  He called what is happening in the United States today “…an unprecedented assault upon millions of immigrant men and women and families in our midst.” 

Cardinal McElroy went on to declare that, “Our first obligation as a Church is to embrace in a sustained, unwavering, prophetic and compassionate way the immigrants who are suffering so deeply because of the oppression they are facing.”

Moreover, he stated, “We are witnessing a comprehensive governmental assault designed to produce fear and terror among millions of men and women who have through their presence in our nation been nurturing precisely the religious, cultural, communitarian and familial bonds that are most frayed and most valuable at this moment in our country’s history. This assault seeks to make life unbearable for undocumented immigrants.”  To those who say that undocumented immigrants broke the law, the Cardinal replies with the Gospel of the Good Samaritan who did not let law and custom stop him from helping the suffering man.He goes on: “The piercing insight and glory of the Samaritan was that he rejected the narrowness and myopia of the law to understand that the victim he was passing by was truly his neighbor and that both God and the moral law obligated him to treat him as neighbor.”

In a later interview with WTOP news radio, the reporter asked the Cardinal if he got pushback for wading into politics.  Cardinal McElroy replied, “For us in the church, it’s part of morality and the social teaching of the Catholic Church, and so when people are suffering, we have to speak to that question. Major political issues often have moral dimensions…for the Catholic Church, this isn’t precisely a political issue. The church has no political role. It has a moral role in speaking to the moral dimensions of political questions, in terms of defending others, especially the poor and the vulnerable and those who are being oppressed.”

On Monday, Pope Leo also condemned the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, pointing out the hypocrisy in claiming to be “pro-life” while approving of cruel and brutal treatment of immigrants.  The leadership of our Church officials in expressing solidarity with immigrants is a model for all of us to emulate.

Trinity students, faculty and staff are all concerned about these issues, and we look forward to raising up more discussions and learning opportunities on these points.  On Friday, October 24, Trinity is hosting a special symposium on Social Justice.  Entitled “From Leo XIII to Leo XIV: A Century of Social Justice Shaping Trinity,” the program will include panels and speakers addressing the meaning of the Church’s teachings on social justice and how we interpret current moral and social issues in light of those teachings.   We will have a panel on immigration as part of that symposium, and we are eager to welcome alumnae, faculty, staff and students to the program.  I will publish more information on this symposium in the days ahead.

Continue reading →

Read comments (0)     Add Comment

Voices of Trinity: Constitutional Questions on DEI and MSIs

September 16, 2025

Every year on September 17, by mandate of Congress educational institutions must observe Constitution Day.  The Constitution of the United States was first ratified by the Continental Congress on September 17, 1787.  Over the last 238 years, the Constitution has been the basis for one of the most durable forms of democratic governance in history.  Yet, the Constitution is also a fragile thing, subject to wildly different interpretations and applications depending upon the political composition of the leadership of the branches of government and the will of We, the People, to intervene when the officials in power veer in directions that differ from what the People understand as their Constitutional rights and protections.

Among many arenas in which Constitutional questions arise, perhaps none is more fraught with contentiousness and danger to domestic peace than those issues dealing with racial justice.  The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, passed after the Civil War as part of the three great “Reconstruction” Amendments granting citizenship rights to former slaves, also ensured both “birthright citizenship” for persons “born or naturalized in the United States” as well as “equal protection of the laws.”

Today, some politicians want to end birthright citizenship entirely — a topic we’ll take up later in this semester.

Right now, an even more urgent Constitutional issue has arisen with the Trump Administration’s pronouncements about programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as well as federal grant programs for Minority Serving Institutions.  The Trump Administration has declared DEI programs and grants for MSIs to be illegal and unconstitutional, claiming that they preference some racial groups over others in violation of equal protection.  (Note that Trinity is classified as both a Predominantly Black and Hispanic Serving Institution and has received nearly $4 million in grants from the PBI program for equipment in our laboratories and other important purposes.)

For Constitution Day 2025, we asked the Trinity Community to weigh in on this question.  Is DEI unconstitutional?  Are MSI programs unconstitutional?  Trinity answered with resounding clarity, see the summary of the survey, below.

Results of the 2025 Constitution Day Survey at Trinity:

Who participated?  We had 112 responses arrayed as follows:

Q1:  President Trump, the Department of Justice and the Department of
Education have all issued statements asserting that programs and
practices using Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles are illegal and
unconstitutional. What is your opinion?

An overwhelming proportion of the Trinity community disagreed with the idea that diversity, equity and inclusion programs are somehow unconstitutional.  Here are respondent comments elaborating on the answers:

Student:  “Minority groups are recovering from decades, even centuries of long discrimination and abuse. DEI is a program that no matter what allows everyone to be considered, not by the color of their skin but for their skillsets. The Trump administration is backtracking all the progress that has been made to suppress the minorities because they’re scared of us. WE hold power that they see and some of us can’t. That is why minorities need to work together and keep showing up and showing out even when they try and take it away from us.”

Faculty:  “The public pushback against DEI is politically motivated, but is nonetheless a challenge that demands a response. We need to be able to explain, in detail, why DEI is constitutional, legal, and a public policy good. It might be useful to invite a speaker to campus that could talk about these issues.”

Student: “The principles and clear understanding about Diversity Equity and Inclusion is not there. It is somewhat confusing and abstract and when people attempt to explain it, it’s not including me or others.”

Staff:  “Only the Supreme Court can decide what is unconstitutional. While I am concerned that this Court would side with Trump, it is still the Court’s decision, not the executive branch’s.”

Student:  “As we look into the republican party and realize there is no diversity, and inclusion within the party it is a while male dominated party that feel the need to have control over everything and anything they don’t know about. Getting rid of DEI not only hurt me as a woman but a woman of color as well because now for certain in the career path that I am choosing i will have to work twice as hard to get where I want to be and not deemed as not qualified because I’m a black woman.”

Staff:  “DEI initiatives are generally grounded in longstanding constitutional and statutory authorities, particularly the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and federal civil-rights laws like Title VII permit and sometimes require affirmative action or other remedial efforts to correct discrimination, to ensure equal opportunity. This helps to account for historic inequities. Courts have upheld many DEI practices so long as they are narrowly tailored, have a legitimate government interest, and do not impose undue burdens or rigid quotas in a way that violates strict scrutiny. Recent court decisions rejecting bans on DEI programs have pointed out that prohibiting all DEI efforts would likely constitute viewpoint discrimination and be overly vague or infringing on free speech or due process rights.”

Student:  “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) benefits students by exposing them to a campus community rich in diverse backgrounds, helping them develop compassion and cultural awareness. In my opinion, DEI enhances academic success by offering programs that supports first time generation and underrepresented students. These initiatives promotes a sense of inclusion and empowerment for students from all backgrounds, which encourages a greater participation in campus activities. DEI benefits in Universities brings forth a wide range of perspective from diverse faculty, staff, and students enhancing the academic and social environment on campus. By investing in DEI, institutions like Trinity demonstrates a commitment to empowerment, excellence, and preparing all scholars and graduates for success an interconnected or integrated world.”

Staff:  “Maybe President Trump, the Department of Justice and the Department of Education needs to a course/class in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.”

Student: “DEI programs help create more inclusive and diverse environments and promotes equal opportunities for everyone, especially Black and Hispanic students. I think this is very concerning and unfair to all of those affected, I hope that someday this will all be over and people are treated equally.”

Staff:  “Equity for historically excluded populations requires additional investment. To reach equity under the constitution, congress should act to stop illegal defunding of DEI by the current administration.”

Q2:  Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it was immediatly terminating its grant programs for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) on the grounds that they unconstitutionally discriminate in favor of the racial groups served by those programs. (Trinity is both a Predominantly Black and Hispanic Serving Institution.) Do you agree or disagree with the Department of Education’s decision?

Student:  “I don’t agree with the idea that MSIs are unconstitutional. It is already extremely difficult for individuals of color to pursue further education in the U.S. MSIs serve as a bridge to lessen the educational gap. To say that these schools are unconstitutional is an attempt by political officials (who are majority white and able to pay for college) to keep people of color from furthering their education.”

Staff:  “The MSI grants go to the institutions, not individuals, and therefore this grant money is used on things that benefit all students at a University, not just those of a particular race or ethnicity.”

Student:  “What is unconstitutional is taking away people’s rights to better themselves.”

Staff: “Predominently Black or Hispanic Serving” are not terms that give preference ONLY to one race or ethnicity. As noted in my response to question #1, only the Supreme Court can decide what is unconstitutional. While I am concerned that this Court would side with Trump, it is still the Court’s decision, not the executive branch’s. From a spending standpoint, Congress needs to shed it’s cowardly lion persona and regain the courage to take back control of the purse they alone control.”

Student:  “I completely disagree with the termination of grants that serve MSI like our campus. I moved to DC thinking I would have more opportunities, but doors seem to be closing for Black and Hispanic students who want to pursue a higher education. It has been very discouraging and hard for people who look like me.”

Staff: “If MSIs are “unconstitutional”, why is the Department diverting much of this funding to HBCUs? The Department is using the funding as a political tool rather than a support to students who most need it.”

Student:  “In my view, the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to terminate grant programs on grounds of alleged unconstitutional discrimination is both disappointing and hurtful. These grants plays an important role in strengthening education departments and support special populations, such as those dserved under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They also provide essential funding for low-income families and communities, helping students to seek their higher education. Grants awarded to institutions are normally based on financial need, programs like the Federal Pell Grant are important for students like me…those enrolled in their first undergraduate program and faces financial challenges at times. By eliminating these resources undermines efforts to create equitable access to education and limits possibilities for those who need support the most.”

Staff:  “The Department of Education’s decision to end MSI grant programs is a cop-out because these institutions do not discriminate by race; they serve all students while addressing historic underfunding and systemic inequities. MSI designations are based on mission and demographics, not exclusion, and courts have long upheld the government’s compelling interest in remedying barriers to equal education. By mischaracterizing MSIs as unconstitutional, the Department sidesteps its duty to promote equity and undermines the very communities Congress intended to support.”

Thanks to all for participating in this survey!

I had a few things to say about the termination of the MSI funding in a recent CNN interview… watch it here:  McGuire Interview on CNN regarding MSI funding

More on this and related topics at our upcoming Campus Conversations on September 24 at 4 pm on zoom — join us then!

Continue reading →

Read comments (0)     Add Comment