HARRY HUGHES, Governor                              4953

Colleges and Universities

FOR the purpose of providing that the General Assembly of
Maryland recognize the historically black colleges and
universities as an inseparable part of Maryland's
diverse higher education system; providing that the
General Assembly is committed to collective development
and enhancement of black institutions; and supporting
the historically black institutions of higher
education, and pledging effective appropriate means for
enhancing and improving the black institutions.

WHEREAS, Maryland's historically black colleges and
universities have been for more than a century a
distinguished part of this State's system of postsecondary
education. They represent a mixture of land grant and
liberal arts curricula, and offer the full spectrum of
degrees from the bachelor to the doctoral level.
Traditionally these institutions have served low and
moderate income students. The overwhelming majority of
minority students are enrolled and graduate from these
institutions. As the economy contracts, and changes in
State priorities are evidenced, this group of institutions
stands to be disproportionately affected in terms of their
continuing to be a viable and competitive part of the
higher educational enterprise in the State and more
generally, the nation; and

WHEREAS, The 4 year historically black institutions of
the State of Maryland - University of Maryland Eastern
Shore, Morgan State University, Bowie State College, and
Coppin State College, collectively provide educational
opportunities for a majority of the minority students
enrolled in Maryland's 4 year institutions; and

WHEREAS, During the past century the historically black
institutions have educated a larger percentage of the black
population than other institutions, have prepared a
substantial number of its graduates for advance and
professional training, have given its graduates an
opportunity for upward mobility, and have continued to
contribute to the economic well-being of the State by
employing a substantial number of the State's citizens, and
by providing qualified graduates to fulfill career
opportunities in the public and private sector; and

WHEREAS, The Each of Maryland's public institutions of
higher education has needs for increased funds for faculty
salaries and facilities, and the historically black
institutions, because of past funding practices, reflect
deficiencies in facilities, equipment, and instructional
materials beyond those at other 4 year public institutions
in the State; and