A new report from the plaintiffs in the landmark federal lawsuit between students and alumni of Maryland’s four historically Black universities suggests that the total amount of support to the schools will equal more than $2 billion.
The figures are detailed in a letter obtained by the HBCU Digest and written in June by David Burton, the lead plaintiff in the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education, to alumni leaders from Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
According to Burton, the $577 million in funding awarded by a legislative settlement of the case combined with construction and program funding awarded by the state during the case’s 15-year trial and mediation period, helped the HBCUs towards the historic total.
From the letter:
Burton continued:
The money allotted by the legislature to settle the coalition’s court victory and mediation will support program creation, student financial aid, faculty hiring and benefits enhancement, and capital project development.
