Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) continue to face challenges in securing financing to undertake needed capital projects, a situation that would be addressed under bipartisan legislation proposed on May 13 by Bipartisan HBCU Caucus members U.S. Reps. French Hill (R-AR) and Mike Turner (R-OH).
“Central Arkansas is home to four outstanding HBCUs, and I have seen firsthand the difference these institutions make for their students and communities,” said Rep. Hill, a co-chair of the caucus. “I have also seen how the lack of long-term investment and aging infrastructure limits what these institutions are able to offer their students.” The bill is a meaningful step toward addressing that, he added.
The Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for (IGNITE) HBCU Excellence Act, H.R. 8791, which Rep. Hill sponsored alongside five original cosponsors, including Rep. Turner and U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), would provide HBCUs with federal funds to make needed campus improvements necessary to attract and retain students.
If enacted, H.R. 8791 would direct the U.S. Department of Education to award competitive grants to HBCUs to renovate, repair, and construct campus facilities, including classrooms, research labs, student housing, and broadband infrastructure, while expanding research capacity, developing workforce skills, building entrepreneurial capacity, and advancing AI education for generations to come.
“It would help ensure our HBCUs have the facilities and infrastructure to match the excellence of the students they serve,” Rep. Hill said. “This is the kind of investment that will pay dividends for generations.”
The grants also would allow HBCUs to provide access to campus-wide, reliable high-speed broadband to support digital learning and long-term technological capacity; improve campus facilities to support community-based partnerships; and procure equipment and technology to facilitate high-quality research and instruction, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“HBCUs, including Central State University and Wilberforce University, both here in Ohio’s 10th congressional district, have opened doors of opportunity for generations of students and helped prepare the workforce that strengthens our economy, our research enterprise, and our national competitiveness,” said Rep. Turner, a caucus co-vice chair. “The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is a bipartisan effort to strengthen HBCUs, expand opportunity, and ensure students have the learning environments they need to succeed.”
Among supporters of the bill are the United Negro College Fund, Philander Smith University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Shorter College, Arkansas Baptist College, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Entergy Charitable Foundation, Goldman Sachs, the Century Foundation, Capital One, the Farm Credit Council, and many others.