Letter to PSC President Irwin H. Polishook from Candido Antonio de Leon, Hostos President
Item
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College
of the City University of New York
475 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451 (212) 960-1120
June 17401976
Dr. Irwin H. Polishook, President
PSC Cuny
25 West 43rd Street
New York, New York 10036
Dear Irwin:
Thank you for your help in saving Hostos. You
Shared our concern for survival and you were willing
to express this concern on our behalf. The students,
*
staff and faculty of Hostos are indebted to you now,
and’ will continue to be for generations to come.
I am sure that the continuing growth of Hostos
and its contribution to the community will make you
prouder of your efforts to save the college than you
are now,
Cordially,
Candido Antonio de Leén
President
oe
of the City University of New York
475 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451 (212) 960-1120
June 17401976
Dr. Irwin H. Polishook, President
PSC Cuny
25 West 43rd Street
New York, New York 10036
Dear Irwin:
Thank you for your help in saving Hostos. You
Shared our concern for survival and you were willing
to express this concern on our behalf. The students,
*
staff and faculty of Hostos are indebted to you now,
and’ will continue to be for generations to come.
I am sure that the continuing growth of Hostos
and its contribution to the community will make you
prouder of your efforts to save the college than you
are now,
Cordially,
Candido Antonio de Leén
President
oe
Title
Letter to PSC President Irwin H. Polishook from Candido Antonio de Leon, Hostos President
Description
By June of 1976, when it became clear that Hostos Community College would be saved from closure, the President of the college, Candido Antonio de Leon wrote a letter to the President of the Professional Staff Congress, Irwin Polishook, thanking him for his efforts in saving the school. The Professional Staff Congress is the union that represents City University of New York faculty and staff, and they were instrumental in the campaign to prevent Hosotos Community College from closing.
In 1975, in response to the New York City fiscal crisis, the City University of New York proposed massive cuts and closures across the campuses in order to dramatically cut spending. Of all the campuses in the system, the administration targeted campuses primarily serving minority communities for their most extreme measures. 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 for the community.
In 1975, in response to the New York City fiscal crisis, the City University of New York proposed massive cuts and closures across the campuses in order to dramatically cut spending. Of all the campuses in the system, the administration targeted campuses primarily serving minority communities for their most extreme measures. 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 for the community.
Contributor
Meyer, Gerald
Creator
de Leon, Candido Antonio
Date
June 17, 1976
Language
English
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Hostos Community College Archives
Original Format
Diary / Correspondence
de Leon, Candido Antonio. Letter. “Letter to PSC President Irwin H. Polishook from Candido Antonio De Leon, Hostos President.”, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/667