Just In According to a recent federal report, Virginia State University, an HBCU land-grant institution, has been underfunded by $278 million during the past three decades. By JAMES W. DYKE AND ALVIN J. SCHEXNIDER Those of us who have consistently urged more support for Virginia’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were elated by the recent letters from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack urging governors to take bold action to address decadeslong disparity in the distribution of funds between predominately white institutions (PWI) and HBCU land-grant institutions. James Dyke Jason E. Miczek This disparity among land-grant institutions reflects the same disparity between all public PWIs and HBCUs that has existed for decades and is rooted in systemic segregation of our education system, a pattern that is most apparent in Virginia. Alvin Schexnider To understand the magnitude of injustice borne from decades of underfunding, one needs to understand Virginia’s history. Virginia practiced racial segregation for decades, including Massive Resistance, which Virginia Sen. Harry Byrd famously stated was to “prevent a single Negro child from entering any white school.” As a result of segregation policies in Virginia and other states, HBCUs were created to educate Black students. It is no surprise that this dual system of education further exacerbated disparities between PWIs and HBCUs, as state government provided significant tax dollars to PWIs while ignoring or consistently underfunding HBCUs. People are also reading… A related irony, but less publicized consequence of the underfunding disparity, was that HBCUs did not have the option of offsetting less state funding with endowments that were available to PWIs. The impact of educational segregation, when combined with race-based bias in housing and economic development, deprived the Black community of the generational wealth needed to endow HBCUs.Notwithstanding this unparalleled impediment to education, Virginia’s HBCUs have produced a disproportionate number of Black graduates and have provided educational opportunities for Blacks and Pell Grant-eligible, low-income students at a far higher rate than other Virginia public institutions. In essence, HBCUs almost single-handedly created the Black middle class. Imagine what they could achieve if they were allocated their fair share of resources. Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah is joined by other attendees during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Academic Commons building, Alfred W. Harris Hall, on April 22, 2022, at the university's campus in Ettrick. SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH This inequitable situation occurs at a time when Virginia rightfully is taking action to enhance its talent pipeline to become the best state in the nation for business, an outcome that economically benefits every Virginian regardless of race or income, as recently documented by the Weldon Cooper Center.Moreover, this inequitable situation is now compounded by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end race-based criteria for college admissions, thus limiting access for minority students and increasing demand for enrollment at HBCUs, along with Hispanic- and Minority-serving Institutions, all of which will require additional funding.Fortunately, the business community has recognized that HBCUs are underserved resources that need more funding if Virginia’s economy is to expand and successfully compete with other states. Both the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Business Higher Education Council have advocated for more funding for HBCUs as well as for support of Pell-eligible students. That advocacy also now includes increased funding for paid internships, which moves more minorities and women into the talent pipeline. Article Doug Wilder: Historically Black colleges and universities have long been underfunded. But why?While modest steps have been taken by the two most recent governors, Virginia needs a bold new plan to fully support HBCUs as well as maximize access to higher education for every Virginia student, especially those traditionally denied access. That plan should include:• A long-term commitment of substantial supplemental funding to each of Virginia’s public HBCUs, to be used for scholarships, recruitment, retention, faculty expansion, and academic programs that support economic growth. Maryland (with a Republican governor and a Democratic legislature) took such action to end litigation over similar discrimination.• A dedicated supplemental funding source for capital projects at the public HBCUs.• Financial incentives for all public and private institutions, such as an additional $1,500 for each new Pell-eligible student enrolled.• Creative opportunities to partner with Virginia’s private HBCUs, options now available because of the recent opinion by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares concerning state funding to private higher education institutions. • The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia holding public institutions accountable for setting and meeting targets for increasing enrollment of low-income students consistent with the stated equity goals of the "Pathways to Opportunity: The Virginia Plan for Higher Education."To heed the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., “the time is always right to do what is right.” Now is the time for the governor, the General Assembly, those contemplating running for governor and the business community to take action to assure that every Virginia student has an equal opportunity to achieve the American dream, to become a taxpaying contributor to Virginia’s economy, and to improve the quality of life of every Virginia resident by significantly increasing financial support for our essential HBCUs. From the archives: In 1960, The Richmond 34 were arrested during a sit-in at the Thalhimers lunch counter Demonstrators are arrested and charged with trespassing at Thalhimers department store on Feb. 22, 1960. Those arrested would not leave after being refused service at a tearoom and a lunch counter. TIMES-DISPATCH FILE PHOTO Crowd inside Thalhimers department store the day of demonstration and arrests. Photo was not published. Photo taken Feb. 22, 1960. Was received by Times-Dispatch library on February 23, 1960 FILE PHOTO The Rev. Frank Pinkston, a 23-year-old Baptist ministerial student from Silver Springs, Fla., is arrested and charged with trespassing at Thalhimers department store on Feb. 22, 1960. Those arrested would not leave after being refused service at a tearoom and a lunch counter. TIMES-DISPATCH FILE PHOTO Crowd at city lock-up after 34 demonstrators were arrested and charged with trespassing at Thalhimers department store. Those arrested would not leave after being refused service at a tearoom and a lunch counter. TIMES-DISPATCH FILE PHOTO Front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from Feb. 23, 1960. An article about arrests at the Thalhimers sit-in is in the bottom right corner. The story that ran on the Feb. 23, 1960 front page of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Page 4 of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from Tuesday, February 23, 1960. Photo from page 4 of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from Feb. 23, 1960. Published caption: "Mounted and K-9 Squad Policemen Break Up Crowd at Lock-Up After Arrests" TIMES-DISPATCH FILE PHOTO Thalhimers picket and protest Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Thalhimers picket and protest. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Thalhimers picket and protest Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center LeRoy Bray arrested at Thalhimers department store as students from Virginia Union University attempt to get service in whites-only dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Frank Pinkston, lower right, at Thalhimers department store, outside the Richmond Room, Feb. 22, 1960, in an attempt to be seated in segregated dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Protest at Thalhimers department store in downtown Richmond as Virginia Union University students attempted to get served in whites-only dining areas. Dr. Marshall Banks is at left, against the wall. Cornell Moore is behind him. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Pickets outside Thalhimers department store in downtown Richmond as Virginia Union University students attempted to get served in whites-only dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Pickets outside Thalhimers department store in downtown Richmond as Virginia Union University students attempted to get served in whites-only dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Frank Pinkston, lower right, at Thalhimers department store, outside the Richmond Room, Feb. 22, 1960, in an attempt to be seated in segregated dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Protest at Thalhimers department store in downtown Richmond as Virginia Union University students attempted to get served in whites-only dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Protest at Thalhimers department store in downtown Richmond as Virginia Union University students attempted to get served in whites-only dining areas. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Thalhimers picket and protest. Anderson Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center Elizabeth Johnson Rice was the speaker of the "Civil Rights Day of Remembrance" at the former Thalhimers Department Store on Broad Street on Sunday, February 22, 2004. Rice returned to Richmond to commemorate the 44th anniversary of their protest over lunch counter segregation. CINDY BLANCHARD Viewers stand under umbrellas on Feb. 22, 2010 during the unveiling of a marker commemorating the Thalhimers sit-in and the Richmond 34. DEAN HOFFMEYER Elizabeth Thalhimer-Smartt (left) and Elizabeth Johnson-Rice pull back the cover over a marker commemorating the Thalhimers sit-in and the Richmond 34 on Feb. 22, 2010. DEAN HOFFMEYER Rev. Leroy M. Bray, Jr. photographed Wed. Feb. 10, 2010 in Richmond. Mr. Bray was one of 34 VUU students arrested for defying segregation and will be speaking at 50th anniversary events. MARK GORMUS Elizabeth Johnson Rice, one of the 34 VUU students arrested in 1960 lunch-counter sit-in at Thalhimers. COURTESY OF ELIZABETH JOHNSON RICE Elizabeth Johnson Rice in her VUU yearbook photo Virginia Union University Del. Mamye E. BaCote, D-Newport News, center, received a standing ovation during the floor session of the House of Delegates in Richmond on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. BaCote had just revealed that she was one of the "Richmond 34" who staged a sit-in at the all-white Thalhimers lunch room when she was a student at Virginia Union University. BOB BROWN Ford T. Johnson of Maryland unveils the historical marker commemorating the "Richmond 34," a group of mostly 34 Virginia Union University students arrested during a sit-in at the Thalhimers department store. Johnson, who is one of the 34, was accompanied by three others who took part in the sit-in: (from left): Johnson's sister, Elizabeth Johnson Rice; Raymond B. Randolph Jr. of Farmington Hills, Michigan (third from left); and Wendell Foster of Richmond (fourth from left). The unveiling took place along Broad Street, between 6th and 7th streets on June 28, 2016. P. KEVIN MORLEY/TIMES-DISPATCH Elizabeth Johnson Rice speaks during the unveiling of an historical marker commemorating the 1960 "Richmond Sit-In" of 34 Virginia Union University students at the Thalhimers department store lunchroom. Rice is one of the 34 students who took part in the sit-in. The ceremony took place on Broad Street between 6th and 7th Streets. June 28, 2016. P. KEVIN MORLEY/TIMES-DISPATCH Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, right, welcomed the Rev. Leroy M. Bray, Jr., left, and his wife, Cynthia, center to the Executive Mansion in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. They were part of a group of black leaders, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who stages a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, right, talks with Rev. Dr. Claude Perkins, left, and his wife Cheryl, center, inside the Executive Mansion in Richmond, on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. They were part of a group of black leaders, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, left,, welcomed Dr. Roland Moore, right, and his wife, Blanche, center, to the Executive Mansion in Richmond, VA Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. They were part of a group of black leaders, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, left, welcomed, from left, retired judge Birdie Hairston Jamison, Dr. Anderson J. Franklin and Elizabeth Rice to the Executive Mansion in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. They were part of a group of black leaders, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. Franklin and Rice were two of the original 34. BOB BROWN Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, center, welcomed black leaders and some members of the Richmond 34 to the Executive Mansion in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. They were part of a group of black leaders, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimer's lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Virginia First Lady Pam Northam, left, watches as her husband, Governor Ralph Northam, right, talks with Rev. Dr. Claude Perkins, center left, and his wife Cheryl, center right, inside the Executive Mansion in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. The Perkins were part of a group of black leaders, visiting the Mansion, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Rev. Dr. Claude Perkins, left, and his wife Cheryl, second from left, talk with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pam Northam inside the Executive Mansion in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. The Perkins were part of a group of black leaders, visiting the Mansion, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Elizabeth Johnson Rice, center, surrounded by lawmakers and several other original members of the Richmond 34, were honored by the House of Delegates inside the State Capitol in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. The Richmond 34 staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch room in 1960. BOB BROWN Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, center, welcomed black leaders and some members of the Richmond 34 to the Executive Mansion in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. They were part of a group of black leaders, some of whom were members of the Richmond 34, who staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch counter in 1960. BOB BROWN Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, left, stands with Elizabeth Johnson Rice, center, surrounded by several other original members of the Richmond 34, from left, Dr. Anderson J. Franklin, Rev. Leroy M. Bray, Jr. and Wendell Foster, pose after they were honored by the House of Delegates inside the State Capitol in Richmond on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. The Richmond 34 staged a sit-in at Thalhimers lunch room in 1960. BOB BROWN James W. Dyke is a former Virginia secretary of education and a current member of the boards of Norfolk State University, an HBCU, and Marymount University, a Hispanic-serving institution. Contact him at jameswdyke@gmail.com.Alvin J. Schexnider has led three institutions of higher education and is the author of “Saving Black Colleges.” He is a senior consultant and senior fellow at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Contact him at alvin@schexniderllc.com 4 Comments

Commentary: We know HBCUs were historically underfunded. Now is the time to fix it

A recent federal report reveals that historically historically Black colleges and universities (HBCus) in Virginia have been underfunded by $278 million over the past three decades. This article discusses the historical context of, emphasizing the systemic segregation in the education system which led to the creation of HBCus. The article also highlights the significant contributions of Hbcus in education and economic development. In response, the Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack have urged governors to take bold actions to address the disparity in funding.