Federal Departments Address State Governors On HBCU Funding Issues

Federal departments of education and agriculture sent a letter to several governors, including Governor Stitt, about underfunded Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

One of the universities named in that letter is Langston.

Langston University is Oklahoma’s only HBCU.

“You have been able to see the like of people who have been changemakers not only across this state but across this nation,” Ward 7 Councilwoman, Nikki Nice said.

For years, students have protested for more funding and now the federal government is saying the university is missing out on millions of dollars.

In the letter sent to Governor Stitt, the department said the land grant school hasn't been able to advance the same way as another land grant school, Oklahoma State University.

The department stated that it's due to unbalanced funding with the University missing out on more than $400 million.

“Continuously being underfunded cuts programs, cuts resources, cuts services,” Nice said.

Langston university is home to one of the top research programs. Nice said more funding would mean more opportunities for students who travel around the world to be part of this.

“Where's our money, where is the funding, how can we continue with these research grants, how can we continue as far as this agricultural university is concerned?” Nice said.

The letter acknowledged that things have been improving.

Langston University sent this saying:

"Langston University is aware of the letter authored by the Secretaries of Education and Agriculture to Governor Stitt. We appreciate the strides already made by the state in an effort to meet the mandated state match supporting agricultural extension and research at our institution. We are hopeful that these positive conversations will continue."

“You think about all of the things that can be done with it and how many lives could've been changed by stepping on the campus of Langston University,” Nice said.

The letter also stated they’re willing to work with Oklahoma to address the issue. News 9 reached out to the governor’s office, and has not heard back yet.