GREENWOOD Dist. — State Sen. (D-Tulsa) Monroe Nichols calls on the state’s legislature and the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents to prioritize funding for Langston University. Langston has been underfunded by $418 million over the last 30 years. It’s also the state’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Sen. Underscores Langston University Underfunded Disparity
“Over the last decade, Langston University has been funded at 45 cents in state appropriation for every dollar invested by the federal government. During the same period, OSU was funded at a rate of $3.14 in state appropriation for every federal dollar invested,” Nichols, who’s chair of the state’s Black Legislative Caucus, said. “This imbalance threatens to cripple Langston’s ability to fully support students. In just the last 10 years, Langston has been underfunded by $159,008,794 in state appropriation.”
According to a 2021 report by The Century Foundation, endowments for students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) range from $7,263 to $24,989. In comparison, endowments for students at non-HBCUs, whether private or public, range from $25,390 to $184,409.
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“As chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, I call on legislative leaders to ensure there is equality in the state match amount for Langston moving forward, starting with an increase of $17,533,643 (3.14:1 match) in funding this budget year. This is critical to the state’s economic future,” said Nichols adds.
Sen. Monroe Nichols emphasizes the urgent need for equitable funding for Langston University. He highlights that Langston University is underfunded significantly compared to other state institutions. Sen. Nichols calls for an immediate increase in funding to address decades of financial neglect. The funding ensures Langston receives needed support as Oklahoma’s sole HBCU and is crucial for educational equity and economic growth in the state.
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