Congress Condemns Threats of Violence Against HBCUs
The House of Representatives and Senate both recently passed resolutions condemning threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Over the past several months, numerous bomb threats have been called in to HBCUs causing the colleges to cancel classes; disrupting campus environments; and increasing anxiety of students, faculty, and staff. At least 18 HBCUs received bomb threats on February 1, 2022, the first day of Black History Month. Unfortunately, to date no one individual or group has been found responsible for these reprehensible acts.
As the resolutions (H.Con.Res. 70/S.Res.534) note, HBCUs were established in response to discriminatory practices that excluded Black Americans from pursuing an education in the United States and they educate and produce a significant share of the nation’s Black leaders and innovators.
The resolutions go on to state that Congress condemns violence and the threat of violence against HBCUs and reaffirms the commitment of the United States Federal Government to combat violence against HBCU students, faculty, and staff.
In addition, Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced that HBCUs that recently experienced a bomb threat resulting in a disruption to the campus learning environment are eligible for grant funds from the Department of Education’s Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV). Project SERV provides short-term, immediate funding for schools and universities that have experienced a violent or traumatic incident to assist in restoring a safe environment conducive to learning.
AACTE denounces all violence against any person or group of people and urges Congress and law enforcement to utilize their full resources to find those responsible for these inexcusable crimes.
Tags: diversity, federal issues, funding, safety
