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| Andrew Sund |
Dear
ILACHE members,
The
election is over, and there are some encouraging signs for issues important to
our constituents. It is clear from all analyses that the Latino vote played a
crucial role in securing the re-election of President Barack Obama. This was a
result not only of the votes Latinos cast in favor of Obama but of the decline
of votes denied Romney that Latinos traditionally cast for the Republican Party.
This
new reality of Latino weight in the election has important consequences. Even
before the election we saw the implementation of the Deferred Action Plan, and
now there are serious talks about passing the Dream Act and comprehensive
immigration reform. Washington is listening because it now knows that our
voices are backed with real power in the form of votes.
But
2012 was also a difficult year. The financial crisis continues and talks of a
fiscal cliff could severely impact Pell grants, Title V and other forms of
federal funding for Latinos in higher education. Twenty-twelve was the year
when affirmative action policies once again took center stage in political
discussions. So we must continue to be active and make sure that our voice is
heard. We are in a better position than before, but there is much to do.
At
a local level, the state of Illinois’ fiscal crisis is not easing. In terms of
higher education funding, the most immediate priority is the MAP award. Every
year more people apply than receive it, and the cut-off date is earlier and
earlier. I encourage all of you to develop a strong campaign at your
institutions and in your communities to assure that all college bound
individuals complete the FAFSA for the year 2013-14 by March thereby assuring that
all Latinos who require MAP support can receive it.
We
hope that 2013 will be a better year for Latinos in higher education. We look
forward to seeing you at the ILACHE conference on April 19, 2013 at Roosevelt
University.
Andrew
Sund
