Page 27 - Racing To Excellence

President's Message - HBCU Coalition

Lawsuit

November 13, 2017

HBCU Coalition

Lawsuit Updates

I would like to provide you with an update on
the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in
Maryland Higher Education v. Maryland
Higher Education Commission case, which
has been pending in federal court since
2006.

On November 8, 2017, Judge Catherine
Blake issued an Order, which calls for the
appointment of a Special Master to develop
a Remedial Plan to address unnecessary
program duplication in Maryland’s public
higher education system. The Court found
that the practice had the effect of continuing
the vestiges of segregation.

According to Judge Blake’s Order, the
Remedial Plan will propose new unique or
high-demand academic programs for Bowie
State University and Maryland’s three other
HBCUs, along with funding for marketing,
financial aid and recruitment over a five- to
ten-year period. The Remedial Plan is to be
submitted within a year after the Special
Master is appointed.

I look forward to working with the court-
appointed Special Master in developing the
Remedial Plan. I will continue to update the
campus community on this important case
as additional information becomes available.

President's Message - HBCU Coalition Lawsuit