The College Fix

Gov. Mike Braun proposes cutting subsidy to low-performing college

An Indiana state representative called Governor Mike Braun “racist” for not sending $2.5 million per year to a tiny black college with an operating budget of only $6.6 million.

“The active intervention to end or attack anything in the budget that gives state dollars to people of color is sickening. I won’t mince my words: It’s racist,” Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, stated in a news release.

“Black Hoosiers and other minorities pay taxes, so we deserve to benefit from the state budget as much as our white counterparts,” Porter (pictured, left) stated.

Porter’s comments came after Republican Gov. Braun (pictured, right) released his budget blueprint. While the last biennial budget gave $2.5 million per year to Martin University, this proposal does not include that funding. He also is proposing a similar $5 million cut called the College Success Program.

It is part of $700 million in cuts planned over the next two years.

Martin University’s graduation rate is only 33 percent The school received little direct government funding prior to the last budget, however. Only $73,982 came from “government grants” according to its audited financial statement.

With tuition revenue coming in at around $2,000,000 per year, the state funding essentially meant full-ride scholarships for all students.

The “dreams” of black students will be “kill[ed]” now according to Porter, who also discussed segregation in his news release.

“The last administration [of Gov. Eric Holcomb] realized that this funding would give students of color an equal chance at success,” Porter stated. “It was less than a century ago when Black students couldn’t live in dorms, had to eat on separate sides of the dining room and couldn’t swim in the university pool. It also benefitted Indiana’s workforce since Martin University directed the money towards STEM education.”

The school did not mention any STEM degree awardees among the 37 total students who graduated in May. The school enrolls a total of 223 students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“During the commencement, 26 undergraduate students will receive bachelor’s degrees in assorted fields, such as Criminal Justice, Addictions Counseling, and Business Administration,” the school announced last spring, and “11 will be awarded master’s degrees in Community Psychology and Organizational Leadership.”

The school does not even offer a bachelor’s degree in STEM, outside of two “concentrations” in cybersecurity and analytics.

“Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students,” Porter stated.

He continued:

No matter how hard they work, they’ll have the rug pulled out from under them. Even Trump paid lip service to HBCUs in his first term, which makes zeroing out these funds even more disturbing. Just like his other budget decisions, Braun continues to push his hostile, hateful agenda no matter who it harms.

Porter did praise other parts of Braun’s proposal, including childcare subsidies, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

MORE: Purdue course studies ‘critical theories of race’ and maps

IMAGES: Indiana General Assembly; Indiana Governor’s Office

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