According to wire reports, a longtime acquaintance and professor at the school e-mailed the Tibetan Buddhist leader’s office in search of a letter of support. In addition to the letter from the Dalai Lama, the university in Miami received the offer of money and fundraising help.

The religion department is one of three at the public university slated to close after a cut in state funding. FIU President Modesto Madique is drafting a letter accepting the offer, an FIU spokesman said.