* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: President Scott
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Settlement
For the purpose of supporting the ruling of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and the offer made by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Coalition regarding the lawsuit against the State and urging Governor Hogan and the General Assembly to settle the Coalition lawsuit in accordance with the Court ruling and the offer made by the Coalition.
body
Recitals
Whereas, The State of Maryland has four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (“HBCUs”), two of which are geographically located in Baltimore City and a third is situated within the greater Baltimore metropolitan region; and
Whereas, HBCUs are an integral part of the Maryland higher education enterprise and provide educational opportunities for a large segment of the population of Baltimore City and produce a continuing supply of teachers for the Baltimore public school system; and
Whereas, HBCUs serve as economic engines in their communities by employing scores of Baltimore residents and contributing enormously to the economy of the City through the revenue generated by these institutions and the expenditures made by students, faculty, staff, and supporters; and
Whereas, The HBCUs are major players in the social and cultural life of the City with their artifacts, athletic programs, unique lecture series, and other special events; and
Whereas, A coalition of HBCU students, alumni, faculty, and friends sued the State of Maryland in 2006, to combat segregation perpetrated by the State; and
Whereas, The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled in 2013 that the State had done great harm to the HBCUs because of its unconstitutional and discriminatory practice of allowing unnecessary duplication of academic programs by non-HBCU colleges and universities; and
Whereas, The District Court ordered in 2017 that the State remedy the violation by establishing at each of the HBCUs a set of unique, high demand programs with appropriate funding for scholarships, marketing, and recruitment; and
Whereas, The HBCU Coalition recently offered to settle the case for $577 million over a 10-year period; and
Whereas, We affirms that Coppin State University is a jewel of West Baltimore and is important to the vitality of this City; and
Whereas, We need a fully funded and supported Coppin State University; and
Whereas, We affirm that Morgan State University is the jewel of Northeast Baltimore and is important to the vitality of our City; and
Whereas, We need a fully funded and supported Morgan State University; and
Whereas, We affirm, based on the District Court ruling, that Coppin State University was discriminated against more than others, and we call for the immediate dispersal of funding by the State so Coppin State University can begin to rebuild and return to its successful track record of educating thousands of Baltimoreans; and
Whereas, We affirm that we are opposed to the proposal to create the City University of Baltimore which would have a negative impact on Coppin State University; and
Whereas, We further affirm that we stand with alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the community and pledge our allegiance to Coppin State University as it currently is constituted.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the City Council supports the ruling of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and the offer made by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Coalition regarding the lawsuit against the State and urges Governor Hogan and the General Assembly to settle the Coalition lawsuit in accordance with the Court ruling and the offer made by the Coalition.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor of Maryland, the Mayor, the Interim President of Coppin State University, the President of Morgan State University, the President of Bowie State University, the President of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the Honorable Delegation of Representatives from Baltimore City to the Maryland General Assembly, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.