November 17, 2011
Groups representing a coalition of more than 100 colleges and universities are fighting to persuade Congress and its deficit-reducing "Super Committee" not to cut $85 million or more in federal funding for the colleges and their students.
The coalition consists of the National Association for Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). These organizations, which collectively represent the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 50 Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), are opposing proposals that will cut federal funds to HBCUs by $85 million or more and would zero out support for PBIs.
The proposed funding cuts would come on top of $30 million in cuts already made in HBCU funding.
The colleges face a double-barreled threat. Funding cuts could be contained in the Super Committee recommendations or made through the normal appropriations process for the current fiscal year. The three organizations support funding levels contained in an appropriations bill passed by a Senate Appropriations Committee for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. They oppose the sharply lower levels proposed by House appropriators.
"The colleges that would have to absorb these cuts serve students who employers are counting on as the next generation of engineers, scientists, teachers, doctors and nurses," said Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO. "Their education is being threatened at the worst possible time – in the midst of an economic downturn that is already making it hard for them to stay in school and graduate."
"In addition to the students they educate, they impact more than 180,000 jobs, including professors, counselors, staff members and others,” Thurgood Marshall College Fund president and CEO Johnny C. Taylor Jr. said.
“Local businesses and national companies depend on the money that the colleges, their employees, and students spend. Their total economic impact is estimated at over $13 billion."
The coalition seeks to rally students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and all supporters of HBCUs and PBIs to get their U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to persuade the Super Committee members not to cut the deficit by disinvesting in higher education. The Super Committee has until November 23 to submit recommended budget reductions and revenue increases.
Visit www.UNCF.org/Advocacy and click on the "Take Action" icon to send a message to Congress to protect HBCU funding.
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