A group of Morgan State students, alumni and civil rights activists say a lawsuit seems to be the only remedy for ensuring Maryland complies with federal laws designed to preserve the purpose and integrity of historically Black colleges and universities.
After filing a lawsuit last week in Baltimore City Circuit Court, the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education is awaiting its day in court. Lead attorney Kenneth L. Johnson expects the case to be heard within three to six months.
“They are discriminating against historically Black universities in a somewhat discreet manner,” says Johnson, a retired Baltimore Circuit Court judge and veteran civil rights lawyer. “They are in violation of Brown v. Board of Education.”
The lawsuit alleges that the state of Maryland is operating its public system of higher education in violation of its own laws and those of the federal government by duplicating programs already available at HBCUs, as well as providing late and inadequate funding for these institutions.
The lawsuit alleges that “the state has failed to enhance Maryland’s historically Black institutions; has failed to develop high-demand academic programs at these institutions and ensure that they are not unnecessarily duplicated at nearby universities; and, has failed to ensure that Maryland’s public HBIs (Historically Black Institutions) are comparable and competitive with Traditionally White Institutions (TWIs) in facilities, operations and programs.”
Dr. Calvin W. Burnett, the state secretary of higher education, would not comment on the lawsuit, saying he hadn’t been formerly served. But the former Coppin State University president told the Baltimore Sun last week that Maryland had made a good-faith effort to fulfill its federal civil rights obligations.
