After nearly five years of litigation, a coalition representing Maryland’s historically black public colleges and universities has agreed to discuss a settlement with the state, which it accused in a 2006 lawsuit of discriminatory practices and multiple civil rights violations. A private hearing between the two sides will be held Monday in Baltimore’s U.S. District Court, less than a month before the case is scheduled for trial.Among the issues likely to be discussed are whether competing programs at “traditionally white” schools should be dismantled and whether black schools are underfunded because of a racist funding formula.
“The state has been saying to us that they are serious and are prepared to make substantial offers, but what specifically that means, I guess we’ll find out” on Monday, said Michael D. Jones, a Washington attorney who represents the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education.
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