Hispanic-Serving Institutions Face Challenges With Federal Funding Cuts | KQED

"Here are the morning's top stories on Wednesday, December 31, 2025... HSIs were created in the 1990s to ensure that colleges enrolling large numbers of Latino students received adequate funding to help those students graduate. In California, more than 90% of community colleges, and 21 out of 22 California State Universities and seven of nine University of California undergraduate campuses qualify as HSIs. Community colleges in the state estimate they will lose at least $20 million this year."

"An avid cyclist, Pulido said he only drove his car to work twice last year because UC Davis Medical Center offers long-term bike parking, which is typically indoor with locks or access control. At home, he doesn't trust parking his bikes outside. "I love my neighbors, but I don't want to lock up my expensive bikes out there," he said. "I'd rather have a cluttered living room than leave it out there.""

"The 32-year-old's concerns are shared by many Californians as electric bike sales surge nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, e-bike sales have outpaced electric vehicle sales by 20%. Yet, building codes haven't kept up with safe storage needs for these vehicles. Pulido owns several e-bikes priced in the $4,000 range, and REI estimates the average e-bike costs around $2,000, with high-end models exceeding $6,000. The lack of secure parking makes them vulnerable to theft or damage."

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) were created in the 1990s to ensure colleges with large Latino enrollments received funding to improve graduation outcomes. In California, more than 90% of community colleges and most CSU and several UC undergraduate campuses qualify as HSIs, and community colleges estimate at least $20 million in funding losses this year. Many Californians increasingly rely on e-bikes, yet storage options at home are insecure. UC Davis Medical Center provides long-term indoor bike parking with access control, reducing theft risk. E-bike sales have outpaced electric vehicle sales by 20%, while building codes lag. A 2022 California law sought to address the gap by requiring the state's housing agency and building standards commission to consider changes to standards.

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