A group of current and former students at Lincoln University in Jefferson City sued Missouri for nearly $549 million, alleging decades of illegal underfunding. The case tests a 19th-century federal law meant to ensure equitable public financing for historically Black colleges. Don Calloway, a former Missouri legislator representing the plaintiffs, said the underfunding's effects persist today.
The lawsuit claims Missouri tied matching funds for Lincoln to performance criteria not imposed on the University of Missouri, which did not admit Black students until 1950. The Biden administration found in 2023 that 16 states, including Missouri, shortchanged their HBCUs by over $12 billion.
The suit seeks about $325 million in interest for a Lincoln-focused fund overseen by a court-appointed special master, with at least 20% for a new endowment. Missouri's $51 billion state budget would need to cover any judgment over three fiscal years. The litigation highlights ongoing struggles with enrollment, retention, and finances across HBCUs.
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