Changes afoot for state colleges: A lawsuit pertaining to black colleges in regard to alleged discrimination by the state is in its fifth year, but its roots trace back to 1954 and 30 years of legal wrangling between Maryland and the federal government.
The lawsuit — set to go to trial June 27 — was filed in October 2006 by the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education and alleges the Maryland Higher Education Commission and other officials have not completely dismantled racially discriminatory policies against students at historically black colleges and universities.
The state Higher Education Commission, however, maintains it has brought historically black colleges and universities up to par with traditionally white institutions. The commission establishes and oversees policies for public and private colleges and universities in the state, as well as for-profit career schools. It also administers statewide financial aid programs.
The coalition maintains that historically black institutions of higher education in Maryland still are not equally funded, and that predominantly white institutions receive preferential treatment when it comes to degree programs and infrastructure.
