Bush Cuts Funding for HBCUs
HBCU Funding cut by over $80 million
Clarissa Higgins
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: World News
In 2001, President George W. Bush declared September 24 through September 30 National Historically Black College and Universities week. It was created to celebrate the important role that HBCUs have had in the progression of African American students, the many graduates that have come through such an education and to note the importance of such institutions in the development of the nation's black youth and communities.
Bush's budget proposal for the fiscal year 2009 does not do much to celebrate HBCUs; it will cut an approximate $80 million that would go to funding minority colleges.
"I think that they are trying to faze us out," Dionne Murr-Clarke, Morgan State University student says. "They don't realize the importance of HBCUs and the opportunity it gives them."
Ironically, schools that cater to majority white students are being awarded funding for the development of school programs. In turn, these schools are able to attract more students than an HBCU because of their ability to create such programs.
The College Reduction Act (CRA) was presented last September to eradicate the financial burdens of low-income students, made up mostly of minority students. It was the first funding increase for the Department of Education's "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" program since 2005. Bush's plan completely contradicts the CRA.
Debates over the relevance of HBCUs have gone on for years. Many wonder if predominantly black colleges, once created to serve blacks that could not receive education otherwise, are still relevant.
Morgan State University's slow and trying progress shows what low funding does to such and institution. On February 22, President Earl S. Richardson met with a panel to discuss the school budget. He was questioned about overspending and unapproved spending.
Getting money to develop the school has been a battle for years and has left Morgan State University and other HBCUs squeezing dollars out of pennies.
Bush's budget proposal for the fiscal year 2009 does not do much to celebrate HBCUs; it will cut an approximate $80 million that would go to funding minority colleges.
"I think that they are trying to faze us out," Dionne Murr-Clarke, Morgan State University student says. "They don't realize the importance of HBCUs and the opportunity it gives them."
Ironically, schools that cater to majority white students are being awarded funding for the development of school programs. In turn, these schools are able to attract more students than an HBCU because of their ability to create such programs.
The College Reduction Act (CRA) was presented last September to eradicate the financial burdens of low-income students, made up mostly of minority students. It was the first funding increase for the Department of Education's "Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities" program since 2005. Bush's plan completely contradicts the CRA.
Debates over the relevance of HBCUs have gone on for years. Many wonder if predominantly black colleges, once created to serve blacks that could not receive education otherwise, are still relevant.
Morgan State University's slow and trying progress shows what low funding does to such and institution. On February 22, President Earl S. Richardson met with a panel to discuss the school budget. He was questioned about overspending and unapproved spending.
Getting money to develop the school has been a battle for years and has left Morgan State University and other HBCUs squeezing dollars out of pennies.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
LDubl
LDubl
posted 4/06/08 @ 3:49 PM EST
I feel it is unfair! People say HBCU's are no longer needed. Well I beg to differ African Americans still don't have civil equality in America and our fore fathers fought civil wars for equality. (Continued…)
Dub B.
posted 4/28/08 @ 2:31 PM EST
I totally agree. And also attending a HBCU has tuaght me more about my culture than I've ever learned in my 20yrs of living. I used to be one of those boogy black girls that didn't want to be around other blacks because of what was portrayed in the media about us, but now I know better. (Continued…)
Ethel Jenkins
posted 5/16/08 @ 4:30 PM EST
I would to say to my younger fellow morganites not to be discouraged by the media blitz. We have come a long way to be educated, and lets not allow Bush or anyone turn us around. (Continued…)
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