From the Desk of the President

February 3, 2025

Colleagues,

I understand that some of our community have asked for a formal statement from leadership in reference to recent changes and signals at the federal level.  In our time together, such statements will be rare from me as I tend to believe that the most important statements are the work we do and the way we do it.  That said, I recognize that these are uncertain times and there are many more questions than answers right now. My career in corporate litigation, politics and higher education leadership has taught me the importance of gathering information before making decisions and putting students at the forefront of all we do. 

CSU Pueblo serves our community, prepares our students for their futures, and complies with the law – and that is work we will continue. And while I may not have answers to all that you question, I want to reiterate what we do know. 

Here are the facts:

• Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is the law

• • An executive order cannot repeal Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended through September 2006, in which Congress found that “Hispanic Americans are at high risk of not enrolling or graduating from institutions of higher education.” 
  • Section 511 of Title V calls for Hispanic-serving institutions to “set forth, or describe how the institution will develop, a comprehensive development plan to strengthen the institution's academic quality and institutional management and otherwise provide for institutional self-sufficiency and growth.”

• CSU Pueblo is a regional university that serves Southern Colorado

• • Our mission as a university is to close the educational attainment gap in Southern Colorado. We are rooted in our community and are the school of choice for our students from the rural region – we are an HSI, but also a Minority Serving Institution, and that is a key part of our service to Colorado. 

Our work is important, and it is lawful. 

To be in compliance with the law we must expand opportunities for Hispanic students and do everything we can to increase the attainment of Hispanic students toward a college degree. This is work that not only creates a powerful ripple effect for all of our students but is good for our communities. 

The proven way to grow our student success is to create an open and welcoming environment. That is work we will continue to do so every student at CSU Pueblo has a path to success. Last week, our team shared a message with students that outlines the resources available for all CSU Pueblo students to support their individual path.

As faculty and staff, we always represent our great university, but we also have freedoms allotted through academic study, lessons related to course subject, and efforts on personal time. However, please note that work hours, work resources, and your role at CSU Pueblo cannot be used for advocacy. 

Our leadership team at CSU Pueblo and at the CSU System continues to monitor the situation and we will keep you updated. In the meantime, be assured that we are resolute in continuing our important work set out by the law. 

Thank you,

Rico