William-HarveyThe President of Hampton University detailed the strained relationship between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the federal government at this year’s HBCU Conference.

Dr. William R. Harvey, who has served as Hampton University’s chief since 1978 — one of the longest tenures of any sitting president of a college or university in the country — called out the government for continuously failing to realize the importance of investing in the leading institutions that educate minority students. Harvey cited decreased federal funding for research and development opportunities at HBCUs. He also blasted the government for its recent partnership between universities and philanthropic organizations to support low-income students that doesn’t include one HBCU institution.

In September, it was announced that eleven public universities, including Arizona State University, Georgia State University, Iowa State University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, University of Central Florida, and six national foundations including the Ford Foundation and Markle Foundation had formed an alliance to help low-income, minority and first-generation students attain a college degree. No HBCUs were included in the deal. Read Full at Uptown