ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Supporters of Maryland’s four historically black colleges and universities were in Annapolis Wednesday to tell the governor and legislators one thing.
They said it’s time for fair funding to HBCU's.
A lawsuit was filed more than a dozen years ago because other state universities were offering classes that mimic the academic studies at Bowie, Coppin, Morgan and UMES. Supporters said the duplication of programs draws students to other institutions and that will take money HBCU’s.
“So, when a student doesn't come to a Coppin or a Morgan or Bowie and they go to a University of Maryland or a UMBC or Towson that diminishes the amount of FTE’s, full time equivalents, that are coming to the HBCU's, which limits the amount of money they get from the state even more.” said Matthews Wright, Coppin State Graduate.
Governor Larry Hogan offered the institutions $100 million, that was turned down. Hogan upped the offer to $200 million and that was turned down as well. Many say an appropriate amount would be closer to $577 million to bring these colleges on par with the other state universities.
The case started in 2006, they made a ruling in 2013 and here we are in 2019 and they are still talking about it.
In 2013, a judge said the state had "a dual and segregated education system" and that violated the constitution.
