New Jersey City University (NJCU) Interim President Andrés Acebo wrote a letter to seven federal representatives for the Garden State about the impact of a potential funding freeze for the school.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Through the support of our congressional delegation, we have secured vital resources that enable us to serve our students. Just last year, NJCU received a $3,000,000 investment for our Professional Pathways Project, which helps connect our students to high-demand career fields,” Acebo wrote in a two-page letter on Tuesday
He addressed the communication to U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, as well as U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-5), Rob Menendez (D-8), Nellie Pou (D-9), and Mikie Sherrill (D-11) on Tuesday.
“Additionally, we secured a $782,000 U.S. Department of Education FIPSE grant to improve access to online nursing education for our most vulnerable students. These grants are essential for continuing our work, and they represent a model of how federal investments can lead to real, meaningful change for our students. In the face of this disruption, we need swift and decisive action to ensure that these critical funding streams are not interrupted.”
On Monday, the President Donald Trump’s (R) administration, via the Office of Management and Budget, said all federal agencies would be forced to suspend payments — with the exception of Social Security and Medicare – as the result of federal funding freeze.
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan issued “a brief administration stay” that same evening, blocking the federal funding freeze from taking effect any earlier than February 3rd at 5 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) said in a statement Monday night that “while I’m grateful that a federal judge has temporarily blocked this action, I hope the Trump administration reverses course on this disastrous plan,” as HCV first reported.
“We have an opportunity right now to act—not just react. We must ensure that our students continue to have access to the resources that will allow them to succeed, to rise, and to lead. I urge you to act decisively, in partnership with us, to preserve the programs that are essential to their success,” Acebo concluded.
“Together, we can ensure that this moment does not define the future of our students but instead becomes a testament to our collective commitment to ensuring opportunity for all.
Thank you for your leadership and continued support.”
