Dear President Nuñez, Provost Bejar, and Members of the FIU Board of Trustees,

We urge you to stand firm in protecting funding for education, research, and health at FIU. The current and potential cuts to these essential areas undermine the very goals that have made FIU a leader in public higher education.

In her first message as interim president, President Nuñez, reaffirmed her commitment to the three strategic pillars of the FIU 2025-2030 plan:

• The FIU Experience
• Research Excellence
• Strategic Alliances.

Cutting funding for education, research, and health directly contradicts your vision for FIU as a leading public research university.

Additionally, the attacks on DEI are especially concerning at the nation's largest Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). These efforts undermine the core values of FIU’s mission, which include fostering greater international understanding and serving the diverse communities of South Florida.

As stated by Rogelio Tovar, Chair of the FIU Board of Trustees, the university's goals reflect the values of education, community service, and global understanding—values that are threatened by these cuts. To stay true to these principles, we must preserve the resources that allow our students, faculty, and community to thrive.

We call on you to stand firm against these cuts and ensure that FIU continues to lead with inclusivity, research, and education at its core.

Please take a stand and help us kill the cuts that threaten our future.