San Francisco State University to close Confucius Institute

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 specifies that Department of Defense (DoD) funds cannot be used to support a Chinese language program at an institution of higher education that hosts a Confucius Institute.

While San Francisco State University submitted a waiver request to the DoD earlier this year requesting an exemption from the Act, the DoD recently determined that no waivers would be granted. SF State relies on federal funding to operate its Chinese Flagship Program. Because of the DoD determination, San Francisco State is unable to operate both the Confucius Institute and the Chinese Flagship Program, and will close the Confucius Institute.

Since 2005, the Confucius Institute has served SF State students, faculty and staff and supported the University’s academic mission; taught Chinese language and culture to K-12 teachers and students in Northern California schools; and promoted international education, all of which reflect positively upon its value and impact on quality education for a diverse student population and community. In keeping with our mission, we will continue to fund these efforts as alternate funding opportunities are explored.

San Francisco State will continue to support its students and campus community. We remain strongly committed to international education and creating opportunities for our students and the wider community to broaden their horizons through international study.

Sincerely,

Leslie E. Wong

President