Congress Passes Norton Bill Making UDC's Law School HBCU-Funded (7/31/08)

Congress Passes Norton Bill Making UDC's Law School HBCU-Funded

July 31, 2008

Washington, DC - The House of Representatives today passed Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's bill, H.R. 2753, the University of the District of Columbia Graduate Programs Act, allowing the University of the District of Columbia's David A. Clarke Law School to receive Historically Black College and University (HBCU) funding annually. Norton's bill was included in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, which passed the House with a 380-49 vote. The Norton bill continues her efforts to increase funding for UDC. In 1999 she secured HBCU funding status for the University's undergraduate programs, providing millions of dollars annually. This year she got UDC included in the Farm bill, opening the way for millions of dollars in facilities and programs.

"Extending HBCU status to UDC's law school is especially important to us because the law school not only offers a splendid education for lawyers, but also gives invaluable free legal services to residents of the District of Columbia," Norton said. Although a number of graduate programs sought HBCU funding status this year, only two were granted. Law school students and faculty provide legal services to some of the District's most vulnerable citizens, saving the city millions of dollars each year. Its clinical programs contribute free legal services to more than 1,000 low-income District of Columbia residents each year.

The bill contains many important measures that Norton worked for, among them, provisions that encourage colleges to rein in price increases, ensure integrity and accountability in student loan programs, simplify the federal student application process, make text book costs more manageable, increase college aid and support for veterans and military families, ensure equal college opportunities for students with disabilities, and boost campus safety and disaster readiness.

The David A. Clarke School of Law is one of only five accredited American Bar Association (ABA) law schools at HBCUs and is ranked sixth highest in minority law students and fifth highest in African-American law students enrolled in the 192 ABA-accredited law schools. The Law School is the most diverse in the nation, with minority groups comprising 50% of the student population, and women making up 61%.