A Message from the President

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.