What You Can Do
Give $11 to help support the 11 Most Endangered Places.
11 Most Endangered
Historically Black Colleges & Universities
Year Listed: 1998
Location: Washington , District of Columbia
Current Status: Favorable
Threat: Poor Public Policy
Latest News
February 17, 2009: President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Revitalization Act of 2009, part of which allocates $15 million in funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Significance
Since 1834, when the first historically black college was established, America's historically black colleges and universities have provided education and training to uplift a race long oppressed by slavery and segregation. While these proud institutions continue to serve as anchors for the African-American community, inadequate funding threatens the future of many campus landmarks. Recent gifts from foundations and other supporters, while encouraging, are not nearly enough to make repairs needed to correct years of deferred maintenance. A study by the General Accounting Office found that the estimated cost of restoring and preserving the 712 historic properties -- including dormitories, chapels, gymnasiums and classroom buildings -- owned by the schools is $755 million, of which a mere $60 million, or 8%, has been set aside in school budgets.
Updates
President George W. Bush declared September 10-16, 2006, as National HBCU Week. Today, historically black colleges are thriving. There are approximately 106 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which are defined by the White House Initiative on HBCUs as "Those institutions of postsecondary education that were originally founded, or whose antecedents were originally founded, for the purpose of providing education opportunities for individuals of the Negro or colored race, and which continue to have as one of the primary purposes the provision of postsecondary opportunities for Black Americans." The 106 HBCUs are located in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. These institutions include accredited two- and four-year as well as graduate and professional institutions
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