Black Colleges Will Fight Cut To Federal Program

NY Times


Leaders of historically black colleges say they'll fight a reduction in a federal program they call a financial lifeline at a time of economic distress for the schools and their students.

President Barack Obama's education budget, unveiled Thursday, included major spending increases in many areas -- but didn't include an extra $85 million that black institutions have received annually for the past two years thanks to a 2007 change to the student loan laws.

That two-year-old program provided direct funds to federally recognized HBCUs -- historically black colleges and universities.

Other direct federal support to the schools would increase from $238 million to $250 million, but with the expiration of the HBCU fund the schools effectively would see a $73 million cut.

A program supporting Native American tribal colleges would also see decreased funding, while one for institutions serving large numbers of Hispanic students would see an increase from $93 million to $98 million.

Education Department officials emphasized that all such institutions stand to gain from other parts of the budget, notably the proposed increase in the maximum Pell Grant for low-income students by $200 -- to $5,550.

Still, the move could suggest that even as the administration pushes big education spending increases focused on low-income and minority students, direct support for institutions isn't the most favored method. The HBCU program is unusual; most federal help for higher education goes to students, and thus only indirectly to schools.

''The administration is definitely committed to strengthening HBCUs and other colleges and universities that serve minority populations,'' said Carmel Martin, assistant secretary of education, on a press conference call Thursday. ''And one of the best ways we can do that is by supporting our students.''

The historically black colleges and universities have been hit particularly hard by the recession, and HBCU leaders said this is no time to cut back on programs offering direct support to institutions that play an outsized role educating the neediest students.

The 105 federally recognized HBCUs make up just 3 percent of U.S. colleges but account for nearly 20 percent of undergraduate degrees awarded to blacks, according to UNCF, the United Negro College Fund. However, some have struggled with low graduation rates. An AP analysis earlier this year found that, overall, black students at four-year HBCUs have lower graduation rates than black students at other schools.

HBCUs have about 132,000 students receiving Pell grants, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal figures collected by the nonprofit group The Education Trust. Even if all got the maximum $200 Pell Grant increase, that would provide HBCUs new revenue totaling only about one-third of the funding cut outlined in the budget.

Morehouse c/o '99

Fisk grad here. :hi:

'98 grad here. :hi:

And my first love was a Morehouse man too. :loveya:

Blue_Tires, please come visit us in the DU African American Issues Group http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=258

Oddly enough the segregation argument is the same one some of my Repub acquaintances make against HBCUs.

many of the HBCUs have increasing white populations...a white student made national news a couple years back for being valedictorian of my alma mater...but that point completely flies over the head of the people who cry 'segregation' and think its always a 100 percent black student body or something...

My son attends Tuskegee University and their are many non black students especially in their veterinary science program.

:eyes:

Plenty of students from India on the Howard University campus. And white students in the law program.

In fact my wife graduated from A&T. I'd like to be able to graduate from there but sadly my work/life balance and their lack of online classes in my degree field meant I had to transfer to East Carolina instead and go distance-ed with them.

As to the original post, these places are still playing catchup. A&T have been lucky to be a recipient of some bond money that has allowed them to go on a building spree and get some decent facilities in place but some places are still a bit ropey. A&T aren't exactly in the big leagues like UNC or Duke or Wake Forest when it comes to sports so they don't have that program giving them megabucks. However their Alumni office could be more active IMO; my wife often gets stuff from Belmont Abbey because she studied two years there... barely anything from A&T though.

Mark.

I went to UNC Chapel Hill, and although there is plenty of grants and such around, I always never understood why preference was given to black students who went to HBCU over black students who went to other schools. If it is income based, I understand because either way, I would have qualified.

But, I honestly think that it is to some extent unfair. However, being that those schools were created to educate black students who were not able to be admitted in to "white" schools, then I understand the reason to continue the funding.

Perhaps if you went to an HBCU, you would understand the rich history and purpose they serve in today's black community. You might also know that it should be "there are" instead of "there is." These grants are vital and black people who complain about funding for HBCUs deserve some serious side eye.

I think it should be about education, not history and yes, I understand the purpose. My husband and my brother both went to an HBCU so I understand the history and we have spoken often about our different experiences. My husband is a proud graduate of Winston-Salem State and my brother is a very proud graduate of Shaw University.

I'm not complaining about the grant money. I'm saying that if money is going to go to specifically to black students, then it should go to black students in need, not specifically to those who have chosen to go to an HBCU. Like the Tom Joyner Foundation...he gives money to deserving students who attend an HBCU. Now, I appreciate what he is doing and I applaude him awarding scholarships to deserving students, but what about students who are in need but have chosen other institutions?

Also, not sure of the point of correcting me. Its late and I didn't check my post.

He said because he doesn't want to. He said he chose his cause and that's what he wants to do.

That's like if someone donated thousands of dollars to cancer research and people complained that it wasn't fair that they didn't also donate to heart research.

But, when it comes to federal money, I have a different opinion. I wouldn't go as far as saying it should be changed because I think the schools should be supported. I was a scholarship athlete at my college and saw the differences in facilities and such between the schools and also when I went to visit my brother at his college. I know the funding is needed. But, its always sort of bothered me.

:thumbsdown:

:popcorn:

Nobody 'understands' this issue but the people involved. No offense to the OP but this is an age old controversy much like affirmative action. Responses and view points are overwhelmingly predictable.