News Summary
Outgoing LSU President William Tate calls for greater investment in Southern University, highlighting historical financial disparities between the two institutions. A recent analysis indicates Southern University has faced funding shortfalls of approximately $1.2 billion over 30 years. The analysis stresses the importance of strategic investments to support Southern’s educational mission, especially in light of federal funding requirements and legislative efforts to address inequalities. Stakeholders are encouraged to prioritize funding changes for a more equitable educational landscape in Louisiana.
Louisiana – Outgoing Louisiana State University (LSU) President William Tate is urging for greater investment in Southern University, amidst longstanding financial disparities between Louisiana’s two land-grant institutions. Tate, who made history as the first Black president of any Southeastern Conference (SEC) school, co-authored a critical analysis that highlights the urgent need for increased funding for Southern University.
The analysis, produced in collaboration with Keena Arbuthnot, dean of LSU’s Graduate School, was recently published in the William & Mary Law Review. It draws attention to the alarming financial gaps that have persisted over the years, suggesting that Southern University requires closer monitoring and strategic investment to support its educational mission.
A significant reference point in the analysis is a 2023 letter from the Biden administration directed to 16 states with both predominantly white and historically Black land-grant universities. The letter outlines that these states have not met federal funding requirements for the institutions. In Louisiana specifically, it is estimated that Southern University has been shortchanged by approximately $1.2 billion over the past three decades.
Historical Context and Land Grant Institutions
Land-grant universities were established in the 19th century to promote education in agriculture, science, engineering, and military science. LSU was founded in 1862. Following the 1890s, in response to the exclusion of Black students from these universities, states were mandated to create separate land-grant institutions for Black students, which were intended to receive equitable funding. Southern University was designated as Louisiana’s land-grant university to circumvent the integration of LSU.
The financial disparities between LSU and Southern University are profound. By the end of the 2020-21 academic year, LSU’s endowment exceeded $700 million, while Southern University’s was merely $12 million. This discrepancy translates to more than $20,000 in funding per student at each university. Additionally, research expenditures at LSU in 2020-21 reached $230 million, compared to just over $7 million at Southern University.
Funding Issues and Legislative Support
From 2018 to 2021, only six out of 19 historically Black land-grant universities received state matching funds for federal allocations, including Southern University. In stark contrast, no predominantly white land-grant university faced challenges in securing these matching funds. This funding crisis has been exacerbated by a significant disinvestment in higher education during the former administration of Governor Bobby Jindal, which saw a 38% drop in Louisiana’s per-student spending between 2008 and 2018.
The inconsistency in funding raises concerns regarding the alignment of Louisiana’s financial policies with the intentions of the Morrill Acts and the principles established in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. To address these disparities, U.S. Representative Cleo Fields has been commended for sponsoring legislation creating an economic development district for Southern University, while state Representative Chris Turner has established a dedicated fund to address deferred maintenance issues affecting Southern’s infrastructure.
Looking Forward
In their analysis, Tate and Arbuthnot emphasize the responsibility of the current generation of leaders to actively support 1890 institutions, like Southern University, by establishing a comprehensive opportunity compact. The federal government’s recognition of the collective $12 billion shortfall faced by historically Black land-grant colleges underscores a widespread issue that extends beyond Louisiana, illustrating the pressing need for a concerted effort to rectify funding imbalances.
As ongoing discussions surrounding educational equity and funding take center stage, the call for increased investment in Southern University is seen as a pivotal step towards addressing systemic disparities that have affected the institution for generations. Stakeholders and policymakers are being urged to prioritize these changes to foster a more equitable landscape for all students in Louisiana.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- La Illuminator
- Wikipedia: Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- WV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in the United States
- HBCU Buzz
- Google Search: Education Funding Disparities
- NOLA
