Historically Blak and Hispanic-Serving Institutions Are All Vying for the Same Federal Funds

Plans to expand the federal government's Title III college and university program are posing a dilemma for African American and Hispanic leaders in a debate that raises issues of history as weil as politics.

At issue is the future of the landmark Title III program, created primarily for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) but also, in recent years, extended to include a small initiative for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).

Hispanic educators and lawmakers want to expand this newer program, a plan HBCU leaders fear may damage Title III and pit one group against another for limited funds.

"If you can put enough money in the program, nobody gets hurt," says Henry Ponder, president of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), which represents HBCUs. The problem is that Congress, already hamstrung by budget limits, may expand Title III but not provide enough new money to minimize turf battles.

"If you cut this pie more ways, everyone involved will get less," Ponder says.

But Hispanic lawmakers call such legislation imperative to help a group increasingly at a disadvantage nationally.

"This is an important step to bring about equity for the most underrepresented group in higher education," says Antonio Flores, chief executive officer of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). "We need to create a stronger pipeline in all sectors of higher education."

African American and Hispanic leaders - plus congressional aides - are talking in earnest to seek common ground and avoid a grueling debate. The discussion has reached into the Clinton administration, which has Called for a new HSI program despite opposition from African, American leaders. (See sidebar, page 24.)

But participants must reach consensus soon, observers say, before the House of Representatives moves ahead with a reauthorization bill for the Higher Education Act (HEA) - including Title III - next January. "I'd say the next six weeks are crucial," one congressional aide says.