One day after drawing national attention for a budget proposal calling for the closure of historically Black Elizabeth City State University, legislators in the North Carolina Senate have removed the provision from their version of the proposal.
Outcry from students, executives, Black legislators and HBCU alumni in North Carolina and beyond flooded social media and regional news outlets last night, following the release of details of the Senate’s proposed budget structure. The proposal, a $21 billion package that included raises for teachers, sought to dissolve institutions which has enrollment decreases of more than 20 percent in the last three academic years; a clause specifically targeting Elizabeth City State. From WITN:
Senator Bill Cook, whose district covers Elizabeth City, said late Friday that he has filed an amendment to do away with the study.
“ECSU has had its fair share of problems in the past few years, but I do not think this study is the best way to begin addressing them,” Cook said. “I have prepared an amendment and after my discussion with Senate leadership they have agreed to support the elimination of the provision completely from the budget.”
“We are grateful that the proposed budget provision has been removed from the Senate budget bill. We are grateful to Senators Cook, Berger, Davis and Apodaca for their efforts. ECSU is grateful for the broad-based support received for Representative Steinberg, Mayor Peel and other Elizabeth City area community leaders, our constituents and all who showed their support. ECSU will continue on its plan to right-size and increase enrollment,” said Chancellor Charles Becton.
This article originally appeared in HBCU Digest.
