OCA Concludes AANAPISI Week, Calls for FUTURE Act Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27 September 2019

Contact: Thu Nguyen | Communications Manager 
202.223.5500 | [email protected]

Washington, DC – Today, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates proudly wraps the celebration of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Week, which received a Congressional Resolution introduced by Rep. Judy Chu. 

The AANAPISI program is one of eight federally-designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) programs, established in 2007 and expanded in 2008 under the Higher Education Opportunity Act. However, the AANAPISI program is in danger of losing funding after September 30, 2019, due to the inaction of the Senate on voting on the FUTURE Act.

The FUTURE Act is a short term fix while Congress negotiates a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act -- a process that can take anywhere from several months or several years to complete.  The original FUTURE Act was introduced in the Senate in May but stalled, creating incredible uncertainty for students and faculty at MSIs across the country.  

“We are proud to be a strong voice for AANAPISIs here in D.C., as we continue to advocate for more funding for these programs, as well as improved language access and better data on our communities,” said Rita Pin Ahrens, OCA National Executive Director. “AANAPISIs are essential for getting more low-income AAPI students and families to and through college. We invite you: teacher, student, parent, or ally, to join us in celebrating AANAPISIs and calling on the Senate to do its job and vote on MSI funding before it runs out this month.”

AANAPISI Week consisted of a Twitter Town Hall, Instagram posts about why students love AANAPISIs, videos, calls to Congress, as well as a press conference in Oakland, a resolution from Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education, and a resolution from the Peralta Community College District urging the Senate to approve the FUTURE Act. 

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
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View this press release online here.