ALABAMA DAILY
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama has 14 public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities, more than any other state. Presidents from several of the institutions met with lawmakers Wednesday to discuss their importance in the state.
“Between all of our HBCUs, we all serve probably 50% of the minority graduating classes with- in our state, so we’re certainly proud of that,” Bishop State Community College President Olivier Charles told Alabama Daily News. “I think the best thing we can bring is advocacy to help our legislators no matter what side they’re on, just understand the value that our colleges have.”
The leaders on Wednesday also expressed concern about the recently passed bill limiting diversity, equality and inclusion efforts at state-funded schools. The bill defines DEI programs as classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a person’s race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation. Senate Bill 129 also prohibits the teaching of divisive concepts in public schools and employee training pro- grams and says colleges will require restrooms are designated for use based on the sex assigned to a person at birth.
Miles College PresidentBobbie Knight said the legislation tells students, “we’re not going to protect you or we’re not going to make anybody stop hurting you.”
“It reminds me of how we were treated when I was growing up in the early 60s,” the Birmingham native said.
As the bill was amended in the House, universities may safeguard their diversity, equity and inclusion programs and, although programs or events may not use state funds as support.
“They were able to add amendments to that bill, to ensure that some areas were not touched, but that at the root of it was LGBTQ (bias),” Knight said. “That’s disturbing to me.”
The bill was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday.
