Maryland is closer to resolving a long legal fight over inequitable funding of the state’s four historically Black colleges and universities after Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed legislation Wednesday to provide $577 million over a decade to the schools.
The legislation, which the Maryland General Assembly approved last week, would fund scholarships, faculty, academic programs and marketing at Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
The state must now finalize a settlement agreement by June with the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education, a group of graduates of the historically Black institutions who sued the state in 2006.
We finally got to this day, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) told the crowd gathered for the bill signing at Bowie State. The crowd, made up of university presidents, alumni and advocates, cheered.