News Summary
Outgoing LSU president William Tate is calling for increased financial assistance to Southern University, highlighting funding disparities and historical inequities. An analysis co-authored by Tate reveals that Southern has been underfunded by an estimated $1.2 billion over 30 years compared to LSU. The financial gap underscores systemic issues within state appropriations and the need for equitable funding practices for historically Black colleges and universities. Recent legislative efforts aim to address these disparities and promote growth in Southern University and similar institutions.
BATON ROUGE, LA – In a major call for equity in higher education funding, outgoing LSU president William Tate is advocating for increased financial assistance to Southern University, citing significant funding disparities between the two institutions. This push follows an analysis published in the William & Mary Law Review co-authored by Tate and Keena Arbuthnot, dean of LSU’s Graduate School.
The analysis sheds light on the urgent need for monitoring and enhancing investment in Southern University, framing it as essential to address historical inequities. Recent evaluations highlight that Louisiana has underfunded Southern University by an estimated $1.2 billion over the past 30 years, a claim that was previously emphasized in a 2023 letter from the Biden administration to 16 states with both predominantly white and historically Black land-grant universities.
The disparity in funding between the two institutions is stark. LSU, established as a land-grant university in 1862, ended the 2020-21 academic year with an endowment exceeding $700 million. In contrast, Southern University, designated to serve Black students in 1890, reported an endowment of merely $12 million—resulting in a financial gap exceeding $20,000 per student. Furthermore, research expenditures at LSU were approximately $230 million, while Southern managed only $7 million during the same academic year.
The financial imbalances do not only illustrate economic disparities; they also highlight systemic issues within state appropriations. Between 2018 and 2021, only six of the 19 historically Black land-grant universities received essential state matching funds, including Southern University. Conversely, predominantly white institutions faced no such limitations. The analysis critiques the financial landscape that emerged after former Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration (2008-2018), which saw a reduction of 38% in per-student spending for higher education, marking the highest decrease in the U.S. after Arizona.
The authors argue that the financial health and risk status of these land-grant universities contradict the equity goals set forth by the Morrill Acts and the principles declared in the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education. These foundational documents were designed to bolster the educational opportunities provided to all American students, irrespective of their racial or economic backgrounds.
Recent legislative efforts, such as U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields’ creation of an economic development district for Southern University and a newly dedicated fund for infrastructure proposed by state Rep. Chris Turner, have received commendation in the analysis. These steps are viewed as vital measures that could potentially address some of the historical financial inequities impacting Southern University.
As the dialogue around funding evolution continues, the emphasis from Tate and Arbuthnot on the necessity for strengthened support for 1890 institutions resonates with many education advocates. They highlight the importance of ensuring that current and future leaders commit to equitable funding practices that promote the growth and sustainability of historically Black colleges and universities, thereby providing fair opportunities for all students.
The analysis and sequential advocacy reflect a broader movement towards equity within educational funding systems in the southeastern United States. As Louisiana grapples with its historical patterns of educational financing, the call to action from leaders like William Tate and Keena Arbuthnot symbolizes a crucial opportunity to rectify long-standing disparities and build a more inclusive educational landscape.
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Additional Resources
- LA Illuminator: Outgoing LSU President Calls for More Investment in Southern University
- Eastern Progress: Outgoing LSU President Calls for More Investment in Southern University
- HBCU Buzz: Many HBCUs Are Preparing for a Future Without Government Funding
- Wikipedia: Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Google Search: Educational funding disparities
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