Historically black colleges struggle to compete
There are 105 historically black colleges and universities in the U.S., and some of those schools are having trouble competing for students.
In Maryland, a federal judge says that’s because traditionally white schools are duplicating some of the most popular degree programs, and her ruling this week could affect schools in other states. It says Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities are more segregated today than they were toward the end of the Civil Rights Era.
Attorney Michael Jones represents the group of alumni who sued the state’s Higher Education Commission for letting white schools outcompete.
“It is shocking and shameful that in 2013 a federal judge has to step in and make these decisions, but that’s the reality,” Jones says.
There are similar active or pending cases in Oklahoma, Georgia, Louisiana and Ohio, according to Lezli Baskerville, president of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education.
“It reaffirms the value of historically black colleges and universities to today’s economy, today’s labor force,” Baskerville explains.
Baskerville adds that the country’s historically black colleges and universities have an economic impact of more than $13 billion dollars.
Stories You Might Like
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
