Washington, DC - Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) announced today that the final spending bill passed by Congress included $10 million to strengthen technology resources at black colleges.  The funds were allocated to the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund (TMSF), which will distribute the money to about 20 to 40 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).  Towns, who was the lead advocate in this Congress for the funding, says the technology infrastructure at HBCUs has reached a state of emergency.

"We need to make sure that our students graduating from HBCUs have the same opportunties and resources as students from other public or private universities," said Towns.  "If we do not act or continue to push for additional resources, our students will be at a disadvantage in the market place."

Research indicates that two out of five public HBCUs are in urgent need of upgrading their technological infrastructure for example, on only one out of forty-five campuses do more than 75% of students own computers. Also, forty percent of TMSF schools require both additional computer hardware and software to conduct their advancement programs.

HBCU note that their lack of resources have also impeded their ability to capitalize on existing funding sources and information sharing opportunities.

"Because these federal funds will be matched by private resources, I am hopeful that the schools will be able to make significant improvements, which students will notice," said Towns.  "As a graduate of an HBCU, I know that these schools offer a wonderfully enriching and unique experience. 

"While they certainly have a great tradition and history, we need to ensure that the future on HBCU campuses are just as bright," added Towns. "These funds should help accomplish that goal."        

The TMSF was established in 1987 to carry on Justice Marshall's legacy of equal access to higher education by supporting exceptional merit scholars attending HBCUs.

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