Governor Promises to Defend Georgia's HBCUs

Black Issues in Higher Education, Feb 18, 1999

ATLANTA -- Gov. Roy Barnes pledged last month to dedicate state resources to fighting a lawsuit that may threaten the existence of Georgia's three historically Black universities.

"We will not allow the small-minded and the mean-spirited elements of our society to dose the doors on our Black colleges," Barnes told alumni and officials of the schools at a meeting in Atlanta. "We will not turn the dock back on educational opportunities."

The suit, filed in federal court in Savannah by Atlanta attorney Lee Parks, alleges that the state has failed to desegregate its three traditionally Black public schools -- Albany State University, Fort Valley State University, and Savannah State University. It proposes merging them with predominantly White schools nearby.

"All three universities are attracting great students, winning scholarships and awards, and sending their students abroad," Barnes says. "So let me make it dear ... I as your governor intend to defend the position that exists with our traditionally Black colleges and universities because they're doing a good job."

Parks has argued that Blacks are being shortchanged because the historically Black colleges (HBCUs) don't have anywhere near the same undergraduate or graduate programs that the state's flagship universities offer.

Velma McCray-Duncan, president of Fort Valley State's national alumni association, says Barnes' remarks were encouraging given that Black public universities in other states have been dismantled.

John Brown, president of the Savannah State alumni group, says, "It makes me know that when we went to the polls in November, that we all did the right thing."

Barnes was elected over Republican Guy Millner last fall with the help of Black voters.

Parks' suit also alleges reverse discrimination in admission policies at the University of Georgia.