Integration efforts approved by DOE
By Dan Schumacher
Flat Hat Briefs Editor
The commonwealth received approval from the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights concerning desegregation Tuesday. As a part of federally mandated desegregation policies, Gov. James Gilmore committed more than $10 million to improve facilities and enhance academic programs at Norfolk State University and Virginia State University.
Although the commonwealth initiated its plan for the desegregation of higher education institutions in the '60s, Virginia was one of the last six states to be investigated by the federal Office for Civil Rights concerning the vestiges of segregation.
"Virginia has moved beyond the old days of 'separate and unequal,' to a day of unlimited opportunity for the daughters and sons of all citizens," Wilbert Bryant, Virginia secretary of education, said.
Once the commonwealth initiates the financial and academic programs outlined in the accord, including concentrated economic support of NSU and VSU, it will have completed its federally mandated desegregation obligations.
"The governor just wanted to put [segregation] to rest," Bill Walker, director of University Relations for the College said.
The concentrated support for NSU and VSU began in 1998 with a total funding increase of $48.1 million. According to Tuesday's accord, there has been a 72 percent increase in state spending for in-state students at NSU, and 40 percent at VSU.
"VSU and NSU rank number one and two respectively ... in the Commonwealth based on general fund appropriations per in-state [Full Time Equivalent]," Bryant said.
Along with the appropriation of an additional $10 million, Gilmore's plan includes the creation of several new degree programs: electronics and optical engineering, computer science and criminal justice at NSU, and computer engineering, computer science, manufacturing engineering, mass communications and criminal justice at VSU.
"[The additional funds] will allow us to expand our academic programs," Marie McDemmond, president of NSU, said, "and allow NSU students to be better prepared for jobs in the 21st century."
The involved parties all concur that this accord marks a momentous achievement for the state.
"Gov. Gilmore's leadership and vision of access, affordability and equity in education for all Virginians has been demonstrated time and time again at Virginia State University during his tenure," VSU President Eddie N. Moore Jr. said.
David Adams, Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Education for Higher Education, noted that while the process of desegregation had been going on since the '60s, there had been many revisions in the criteria set forth by the Office for Civil Rights. Once the accords go into effect, he said segregation will be completely eliminated.
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