Learning Power
LISTEN: Maryland Sen. Michael Jackson Discusses $580 Million In HBCU Funding
By Kia Lisby
Maryland State Senator Michael Jackson places historically black colleges and universities very high on his priority list. That’s why he especially excited about securing $580 million to aid the state’s four African-American institutions of higher learning.
Sen. Michael Jackson, D-Dist 27
The Prince George’s County resident and former law enforcement professional spoke with Prince George’s Suite Magazine about this year’s budget allocation for Maryland’ s HBCUs.
For fiscal 2023, the Governor must include in the annual State operating budget general funds of at least:
Bowie State University $16,790,700
Coppin State University $9,000,000
Morgan State University $24,003,200
UM Eastern Shore $9,693,600
The District 27 representative supports the bill and expressed his thoughts on the importance of it in the interview with The Suite. As floor leader, Jackson’s role was to defend the bill.
Listen to the full interview by clicking “Sen. Jackson Discusses HBCU Funding Win” on the audio bar above.
How We Got Here: Related History
Jackson explained that in the early 2000s, HBCUs came up with dynamic programs to offer at their institutions.
Unfortunately, the schools were underfunded and therefore bigger school systems with larger budgets and resources would start and offer the same programs traditionally black schools sought to offer at their institutions. The loss left Maryland’s black colleges and universities struggling with attracting students for enrollment, securing greater academic talent and other problems related from the shortfall. For those reasons, HBCUs decided to sue, and won.
The Maryland General Assembly says that the purpose of the emergency bill requires the “Maryland Higher Education Commission to establish a certain new unit to assist in evaluating and reviewing certain proposals for new programs and substantial modifications of existing programs; requiring the Governor, in each of fiscal years 2023 through 2032, to include in the annual state operating budget of $577,000,000 to be allocated to certain historically black colleges and universities; establishing the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Reserve Fund; specifying the purpose and uses of the fund, etc.”
The four HBCUs in Maryland receiving funds are Bowie State University, Morgan State University, Coppin State University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore, ranging in amounts based on each institutions’ 2019 budget.
