Maryland duplicated programs of black colleges, judge rules

[Judi Lynn]

Source: UPI

Maryland duplicated programs of black colleges, judge rules
Published: Oct. 8, 2013 at 4:18 PM


BALTIMORE, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Maryland has not done enough to help its four historically black colleges and universities overcome segregation-era policies, a federal judge ruled.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake's ruling Monday found the state universities have unnecessarily duplicated the programs of the historically black schools, violating the constitutional rights of those students.

Plaintiffs argued the historically black schools -- Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State and University of Maryland Eastern Shore -- were hurt because neighboring institutions offered similar programs and drew students away, The Baltimore Sun reported.

"The state never dismantled the ... duplication of programs that facilitated segregation, and it has maintained policies and practices that have even exacerbated this problem," Blake wrote.



Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/10/08/Maryland-duplicated-programs-of-black-colleges-judge-rules/UPI-14841381263515/#ixzz2hAFB0IBg

[Blue_Tires]

1. They've been doing the same thing in Virginia for years now...

[alp227]

2. Better article explaining this case

http://t.washingtoninformer.com/news/2013/oct/07/md-violating-constitutional-rights-students-hbcu/

The district court found that the lack of unique, high demand program has a segregative effect at HBIs and prevents the HBIs from attracting students of all races.

Rather than work to build up those programs, Maryland established competing programs at nearby white institutions, which caused the program enrollment at the HBIs to plummet. Judge Blake found Maryland’s conduct in undermining HBIs through unnecessary program duplication to be "comparable to, and in some cases more pronounced than, the duplication found in Mississippi" in a Supreme Court case from two decades ago.

[Igel]

3. Misguided.

"Unnecessary duplication" happens a lot at universities trying to attract students. One university starts a program that's attractive, other universities duplicate it to a greater or lesser degree (the degree of duplication is fluid--this year the duplication may be extensive, but in 10 years either or both program could change). In other words, universities don't get a monopoly or patent on a program.

This says that as long as race is involved, we not only want monopolies, we need monopolies. We can't have true competition without monopolies.

(Of course, the real issue boils down to allowing individual students to think improperly about race and give them cover by looking at diversity of educational programs. Given the choice between two universities, some will improperly choose on the basis of race, while others won't be choosing improperly.)

[Blue_Tires]

5. But there isn't supposed to be "competition" when state funding is involved

Because if that were the case, colleges everywhere would only offer the most popular/lucrative/prestigious majors, and nothing else...
"Unnecessary duplication" is not only a waste of state funding for higher ed, it's one of those longtime 'backdoor' methods used to shut down HBCUs permanently...But for the record this general rule is something that applies for all schools in pretty much every state

(FWIW, I work at state university that is also an HBCU)

[seveneyes]

4. Very confusing

I feel like an idiot for not seeing what the root problem is. Reading the stories linked here lead me to think it's some sort of copyright violation, but it must be something more complex than that. My simple thinking leads me to believe that race should play no part in education and everyone should have all the options available.

[Blue_Tires]

6. simple explanation:

Most states have a law which prohibits them from funding a redundant or duplicate specialized program at more than one state university when another university serving that geographical region offers said program...And in theory, universities are usually discouraged from even trying to set them up, unless they have unquestioned proof that the student demand for a certain degree is much, much higher for any one university to handle...

Think of a good-sized metro region that has two state universities...University A has a top of the line, nationally recognized nursing program, and University B wants to start one of their own, but in order to sidestep the law they don't officially call it a "nursing" degree, they call it a "health sciences and administration" degree or something similar, even though the credit requirements are 95% similar to the other school's "nursing" degree...Naturally, University A is going to cry foul...

[seveneyes]

7. Thanks for the explanation

I am of the belief that more available education is best and schools should be in it for bettering society, not for profit.

[Blue_Tires]

8. "profit" isn't the arguement, it's the allocation of state funds

if you had any idea of just how vicious and underhanded the fight is in most state capitols for education funding after the 3-4 "favored" schools in the state get their lion's share....