Latest news with #Hispanic-Serving
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Don't send conflicted investigators into the Tarrant County Jail
Only one problem with your otherwise excellent editorial on the missing video from the Tarrant County Jail (May 4, 8C, 'Case of missing video in Tarrant jail death stinks. Time for an outside inquiry'): To suggest that Gov. Greg Abbott send the Texas Rangers to investigate forgets that Trace McDonald was the Ranger who 'investigated' several deaths in the past. The sheriff's office later hired him. The editorial board implied an incestuous relationship among law enforcement agencies, and that's probably correct. To my knowledge, the Department of Public Safety hasn't taken an unbiased look at the jail. Perhaps it can surprise us by actually investigating. - Katherine Godby, Arlington As a lifelong Republican who voted for Donald Trump, I'm compelled to sound the alarm about the party's precarious position heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Although some touted Trump's first 100 days in office as 'unprecedented,' his administration's policies, particularly the chaotic rollout of his tariffs, have caused massive financial instability. The Republican Party's abysmal approval ratings, along with Trump's, could spell a catastrophic electoral defeat in the 2026 midterms. The party's razor-thin majority in the House is at risk. Trump must show more prudence regarding his tariffs and prioritize significant improvement in the economy. - Lee Enochs, Denton Bradford William Davis claims that the conservatives have already won the 'diversity war' at Tarrant County College. (May 6, 'Tarrant County College candidate is waging a diversity war his side already won') He then points out that TCC receives money as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. If the war on diversity, equity and inclusion has been won, then why is money being spent based on the race or ethnicity of the students? The 'diversity war' is not a war on diversity. It is a war on race-based benefits to individuals and institutions, and it hasn't been won yet. - Tom Glenn, Fort Worth Tarrant County commissioners' proposed redrawing of commissioner precinct lines mid-census prompts a question: Why? The probable intent is to create three Republican-controlled precincts. (April 6, 5C, 'Redistricting Tarrant County might boost GOP, but don't call it conservative') Donald Trump received fewer than 52% of Tarrant's votes in 2024. Joe Biden received more votes than Trump in 2020. Republicans are not 75% of Tarrant County, nor do they deserve of three of four precincts. Redistricting normally occurs after the decennial census. The Commissioners Court should drop its plans to do it in the middle of the decade. If it proceeds, it should provide sufficient funds for mapping software, public meetings and staff support for a genuine citizen-participation process. Otherwise, it exposes the plans as an overt power grab. - Pablo Calderon, Fort Worth Gov. Greg Abbott suggests that state government undergo a DOGE-like review to make it operate smoother and more cheaply. Considering Elon Musk's roughshod methodology and the lawsuits that followed, I suggest that a scalpel be used in reducing the state's workforce, as with federal workers during the Clinton administration, when zero lawsuits resulted. Let's streamline our state government the right way, without a power grab or rights violations. - Pamela Porter, Fort Worth
Chicago Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Brandon Bisbey: To protect higher education in Illinois, focus on collaboration, not competition
Higher education across the nation is under attack as federal officials target university funding in an effort to advance a sweeping political agenda. Particularly vulnerable are institutions that serve low-income students, which tend to have a higher number of students of color. The implications of these actions are incredibly concerning, making four-year degrees increasingly out of reach for low- and middle-income students, especially Black and Latino students. Given that data routinely shows that those with bachelor's degrees earn significantly more than those with a high school diploma, these moves will further entrench the racial wealth gap brought about by generations of societal disparities. This will undoubtedly have far-reaching impacts across Illinois, especially for institutions such as Northeastern Illinois University, which is one of the most diverse universities in the Midwest. Our student body represents more than 100 countries, and we are a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, which means that at least 25% of our student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino. But no university across Illinois is without threat, as decades of underfunding by the state make institutions ill-equipped to weather the added federal financial chaos. Instead of exploring ways to buttress our state's public universities, we are now facing a threat from within as some want to further diminish resources for universities through a broad expansion of community college programs. Let me be clear: I support efforts to increase access to quality, affordable education. NEIU prioritizes affordability and is among the nation's leaders at graduating students with the least amount of debt. However, the proposal currently before the Illinois General Assembly to greatly expand the ability of community colleges to offer bachelor's degree programs simply isn't the right approach. As written, the plan goes far beyond expanding four-year degree programs in career paths with workforce shortages such as teaching, nursing and manufacturing. Rather, the proposal is so broad that it would allow community colleges to establish four-year degree programs at any of their institutions regardless of workforce need or student demand. Such a dramatic expansion would require significant investments by community colleges, particularly for specialized programs that would necessitate infrastructure improvements and expert faculty and staff. Where does that money come from? Despite recent strides by Gov. JB Pritzker and the General Assembly, state funding for higher education is far below where it needs to be. While community colleges are largely funded through property taxes, recent efforts have rightly centered on ways to decrease the property tax burden on families and businesses, not increase it. We need a more targeted approach that leverages our resources to drive real results and fosters collaboration among our higher education institutions, not competition. Through more than 3,000 successful partnerships and agreements, public and private universities are already offering four-year degree programs that can often be completed on community college campuses, through traditional pathways or online where students attend community college for two years, then transfer to complete their bachelor's at a college or university. These partnerships have fostered degree completion programs directly on community college campuses, further expanding access to higher education. Many students in these existing programs receive guaranteed scholarships, some of which ensure they pay no out-of-pocket costs for tuition and fees. At the same time, universities are expanding online degree programs, Illinois is on track to spend $1 billion to improve broadband access throughout the state. This funding connects homes, businesses and community institutions to internet service in places that have long been underserved, from low-income neighborhoods in large urban centers to rural properties in our state's agricultural areas. By linking these efforts, we can provide the flexibility and convenience students need to work, care for a child and provide for their families while they complete their degree. Commuting long distances or finding new housing close to campus is no longer a barrier to receiving the education necessary for a great career. Instead of simply duplicating four-year degree programs, and the costs associated with them, we should consider a thoughtful expansion of these proven partnerships. This will ensure community colleges and four-year universities alike can continue to provide high-quality academic experiences that truly meet students where they are. We can increase access and opportunity for students without pitting universities and community colleges against each other. And given the slash-and-burn approach to higher education from the federal government, it's more important than ever that we work together. Brandon Bisbey is president of the University Professionals of Illinois Northeastern Illinois University chapter.
Associated Press
06-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Fundamental Advisors Provides $33.75M Financing to Dominican University New York
Private Municipal Bond Placement to Recapitalize University's Debt and Fund Nursing Program Improvements NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fundamental Advisors ('Fundamental'), an established alternative asset manager focused on municipal, public purpose and community assets, in partnership with its municipal bond sourcing partner, V2 Municipal Capital ('V2MC'), today announced the completion of a $33,750,000 financing for Dominican University New York through the Rockland County Economic Assistance Corporation. Dominican University New York is an independent, four-year doctoral level liberal arts university, chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, and fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The University's 1,400 student body represents a diverse population and includes both campus residents and commuters. The University is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution ('HSI') by Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities ('HACU'). Dominican University's campus is located in Rockland County, NY, 17 miles north of New York City and three miles north of Bergen County, NJ. 'As dedicated public purpose investors, we view this partnership with Dominican University New York as an opportunity to support the long-term growth trajectory of an established institution serving a diverse student population,' said Laurence Gottlieb, Chairman and CEO of Fundamental. 'Our partnership with V2MC has provided significant visibility across the higher education ecosystem, creating unique opportunities to partner with leading institutions such as Dominican University. We look forward to working closely with Manuel, Tony and the entire Dominican board for many years to come.' 'We're excited to have completed our first majority financing with Fundamental, particularly with a transaction that is core to the firm's mission to support community and public purpose assets,' said Charlie Visconsi, Co-Founder of V2MC. 'The transaction presented a compelling opportunity to support a university serving a growing cohort of minority, first-generation college students, and we're excited to partner with Dominican University in this next phase.' The financing for Dominican University comprises $28,885,000 of tax-exempt bonds and $4,865,000 of taxable bonds. The proceeds will be used to recapitalize all of the University's outstanding debt and fund certain capital projects, including improvements for the University's nursing program. 'We are pleased to have completed this transaction to structure a bond issue that meets the University's needs,' said Dr. Manuel Martinez, President, Dominican University New York. 'Fundamental and V2MC took considerable time to visit our campus and meet with our leadership team to better understand Dominican's mission and purpose. We're confident they are the ideal long-term funding partner for our university.' 'We had a great experience working with Fundamental Advisors and V2MC to refinance all of Dominican University's debt, including our tax-exempt bonds,' said Tony Cipolla, Vice President for Financial Affairs and CFO, Dominican University New York. 'We've worked collaboratively with the team over the last three months to efficiently close the financing with a structure and repayment schedule tailored to the University's specific needs. We look forward to a long and successful partnership as we continue to grow our offerings and maintain strong enrollment.' 'At D.A. Davidson, we pride ourselves on providing high-level service and personalized attention to our borrower clients, and it was clear throughout this process that Fundamental and V2MC take a similar approach,' said Dan Froehlich, Managing Director, D.A. Davidson & Co. 'On the Dominican University transaction, Fundamental and V2MC worked closely with us over several months to structure a complex bond issue that refinanced three bank loans and four tax-exempt bond issues, while also providing new financing to expand the University's nursing program. The collaboration was critical to the success of the financing, and we're pleased to have delivered this critical solution for Dominican University.' D.A. Davidson & Co. served as the underwriter on the transaction and Frasca and Associates served as the University's Financial Advisor. Hawkins Delafield and Wood served as Bond Counsel, Nixon Peabody as Underwriter's Counsel, Harris Beach as Issuer's Counsel and Cozen O'Connor as Purchaser's Counsel. About Fundamental Advisors Fundamental is an established alternative asset manager dedicated to municipal, public purpose and community assets. Founded in 2007, the firm is focused on targeting control-oriented investments in stressed and distressed assets or securities, financing the development or revitalization of public purpose or community assets, and acquiring undervalued securities in the secondary market. For more information, please visit About V2 Municipal Capital Founded by Charlie Visconsi and Ron Van Den Handel in July 2024, V2 Municipal Capital is an independent sourcing company for high-yield tax-exempt and taxable municipal bonds. V2MC seeks to provide structured capital solutions for municipal borrowers across four key sectors: health care, housing, education and infrastructure. For more information, please visit: Contacts For Fundamental and V2 Municipal Capital Jon Keehner / Madeline Jones Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212-355-4449 For Dominican University New York Tony Cipolla 845-848-7814
