"Open Letter to the Hostos Community" / "Carta Publica a la Comunidad de Hostos" from Jose Martinez
Item
of the City University of New York
wily
Oz Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College
om
475 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451 (212) 993-8000
March 4, 1976
OPEN LETTER TO THE HOSTOS COMMUNITY
According to the latest media reports through newspapers, radio and
the CUNY Senate, we believe that unless a mass movement is begun to
endorse and support our College, it will be closed. Therefore, it
is our obligation as students and members of the marginated class to
defend that which was obtained and created through heartships, pain
and sweat.
The time has come for us to unite forces, regardless of race, color
or creed, and defend what is ours and "HOSTOS IS OURS". Consequently,
it is the responsibility of all of us to see that all efforts are
united to "SAVE HOSTOS", otherwise this institution will cease to
exist. For that reason, the Dominican Students' Association will sup-
port and join the events that will take place on March 8th and 11th
in front of the CUNY Graduate Center and City Hall.
We are pleased to know that the "Save Hostos Committee" and the
"Coalition Committee" have joined forces to accomplish our main objec-
tive---to save Hostos. We believe that this was the most opportune
time for the two committees to unite since both students and faculty
members are in jeopardy.
The students have already seen what has happen to their B.E.0,G.
(Basic Education Opportunity Grant) monies, and the staff and faculty
will also be facing a loss of money through the proposed "furlough".
They are not satisfied with that and they are trying to close the only
bilingual college in the eastern coast of United States.
It is for all these reasons that we are determined to support the 8
objectives agreed by the Congress to Save Hostos.
Jose Martinez,
Dominican Student
wily
Oz Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College
om
475 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451 (212) 993-8000
March 4, 1976
OPEN LETTER TO THE HOSTOS COMMUNITY
According to the latest media reports through newspapers, radio and
the CUNY Senate, we believe that unless a mass movement is begun to
endorse and support our College, it will be closed. Therefore, it
is our obligation as students and members of the marginated class to
defend that which was obtained and created through heartships, pain
and sweat.
The time has come for us to unite forces, regardless of race, color
or creed, and defend what is ours and "HOSTOS IS OURS". Consequently,
it is the responsibility of all of us to see that all efforts are
united to "SAVE HOSTOS", otherwise this institution will cease to
exist. For that reason, the Dominican Students' Association will sup-
port and join the events that will take place on March 8th and 11th
in front of the CUNY Graduate Center and City Hall.
We are pleased to know that the "Save Hostos Committee" and the
"Coalition Committee" have joined forces to accomplish our main objec-
tive---to save Hostos. We believe that this was the most opportune
time for the two committees to unite since both students and faculty
members are in jeopardy.
The students have already seen what has happen to their B.E.0,G.
(Basic Education Opportunity Grant) monies, and the staff and faculty
will also be facing a loss of money through the proposed "furlough".
They are not satisfied with that and they are trying to close the only
bilingual college in the eastern coast of United States.
It is for all these reasons that we are determined to support the 8
objectives agreed by the Congress to Save Hostos.
Jose Martinez,
Dominican Student
Title
"Open Letter to the Hostos Community" / "Carta Publica a la Comunidad de Hostos" from Jose Martinez
Description
Jose Martinez wrote this open letter in both English and Spanish to the Hostos Community College community on behalf of the Dominican Students Association to state that the vulnerability of the college had become so dire that massive collective action had become necessary. Under threat of closure, student and community groups needed to join forces to prevent the City University of New York from closing the only bilingual college available for people in the South Bronx and the only such college in the eastern United States.
In 1975, the New York City fiscal crisis led to efforts by city officials and the CUNY administration to close or merge multiple campuses in order to pay debts that were owed to major banks. Hostos Community College was slated to merge with Bronx Community College in order to dramatically cut spending. It was this threat that led to the second iteration of organizing to save Hostos. Determined to preserve Hostos for the South Bronx as a place for students to pursue a bilingual higher education, students, faculty, staff, and community groups joined forces to keep Hostos open.
In 1975, the New York City fiscal crisis led to efforts by city officials and the CUNY administration to close or merge multiple campuses in order to pay debts that were owed to major banks. Hostos Community College was slated to merge with Bronx Community College in order to dramatically cut spending. It was this threat that led to the second iteration of organizing to save Hostos. Determined to preserve Hostos for the South Bronx as a place for students to pursue a bilingual higher education, students, faculty, staff, and community groups joined forces to keep Hostos open.
Contributor
Meyer, Gerald
Creator
Martinez, Jose; Dominican Students Association
Date
March 4, 1976
Language
English
Spanish
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Hostos Community College Archives
Original Format
Diary / Correspondence
Martinez, Jose; Dominican Students Association. Letter. “"Open Letter to the Hostos Community" ‘Carta Publica a La Comunidad De Hostos’ from Jose Martinez.”, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/660