S. 461 (116^th): HBCU PARTNERS Act

As many colleges and universities across the country kept their doors closed to African American applicants, historically Black colleges and universities (referred to in this section as HBCUs) played a central role in ensuring that African Americans could attain an excellent education.

Today, HBCUs continue to play a critical role in ensuring that African Americans, and those of all races, can access high-quality educational opportunities.

HBCUs enroll nearly 300,000 students, an estimated 70 percent of whom come from low-income backgrounds and 80 percent of whom are African American.

According to the National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education, HBCUs make up just 3 percent of American institutions of higher education but serve more than a fifth of African American college students.

A March 2017 report from the Education Trust concluded that HBCUs have higher completion rates for African American students than other institutions serving similar student populations.

In 2014, HBCUs generated a total direct economic impact of $14,800,000,000 and created more than 134,000 jobs, according to a study commissioned by the United Negro College Fund (referred to in this section as UNCF).

According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (referred to in this section as TMCF), 40 percent of African American Members of Congress, 50 percent of African American lawyers, and 80 percent of African American judges are graduates of HBCUs.

According to UNCF, in 2013, HBCUs awarded a quarter of all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics bachelor’s degrees awarded to African Americans.

According to TMCF, approximately 9 percent of all African American college students attend HBCUs.

According to UNCF, African American graduates of HBCUs are almost twice as likely as African Americans who graduated from other institutions to report that their university prepared them well for life.

to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of HBCUs to fulfill their principal mission of equalizing educational opportunity, as described in section 301(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051(b));

to align HBCUs with the educational and economic competitiveness priorities of the United States;

to provide students enrolled at HBCUs with the highest quality educational and economic opportunities;

to bolster and facilitate productive interactions between HBCUs and Federal agencies; and

to encourage HBCU participation in and benefit from Federal programs, grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

establish how the applicable agency intends to increase the capacity of HBCUs to compete effectively for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements;

identify Federal programs and initiatives under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency where HBCUs are not well-represented;

outline proposed efforts to improve HBCUs’ participation in such programs and initiatives in which they are underrepresented;

describe any progress made towards advancing or achieving goals and efforts from previous Agency Plans;

encourage public-sector, private-sector, and community involvement in improving the capacity of HBCUs; and

meet, where relevant, any additional criteria established by the Secretary or the White House Initiative.

may provide, as appropriate, technical assistance and information to the Executive Director to enhance communication with HBCUs concerning the applicable agency’s program activities and the preparation of applications or proposals for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements; and

shall appoint a senior official to report directly to the agency head on the applicable agency’s progress under this section.

In general

There is established the President's Board of Advisors on historically Black colleges and universities in the Department of Education or, if the President so elects, within the Executive Office of the President.

Funding from ED

Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations.

Funding from the Executive Office of the President

If the President elects to locate the President’s Board of Advisors within the Executive Office of the President, the Executive Office of the President shall provide funding and administrative support for the President's Board of Advisors, subject to the availability of appropriations.

Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs.

Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives.

Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the Nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans.

Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs.

Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.

Improving government-wide strategic planning related to HBCU competitiveness to align Federal resources and provide the context for decisions about HBCU partnerships, investments, performance goals, priorities, human capital development and budget planning.