June 28, 2007
A Step Toward Closing the Technology Gap
A bill (S.1650) aimed at narrowing the technology gap between colleges that serve minority students and those that serve mostly white students was passed by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday. The bill, the Max Cleland Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act, would provide funds for computer hardware, software, and network upgrades at colleges that serve black, Hispanic, and American Indian students.
The legislation authorizes $250-million a year from 2008 through 2012. Institutions receiving the funds would be required to provide a 25-percent matching contribution or $500,000, whichever is less.
The bill would also establish an Office of Minority-Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology within the National Science Foundation. The organization has in the past voiced opposition to such an office.
Similar bills have stalled in Congress before, and the prospects of this legislation are unclear. --Andrea L. Foster
Posted on Thursday June 28, 2007 | Permalink |Comments
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So. . .let me get this straight. Does this suggest that there are segregated colleges and that uniformily, those serving only whites are much better off technology-wise than those serving only whites? I would have to see evidence of this. Diversity has been the order of the day for a long time. George Wallace stood in the doorway a very long time ago. If the government wants to help higher ed with technology, using money from all American taxpayers, then they should establish criteria that allows all institutions to compete for the funds.
An yes, I realize it said “mostly white students,” not only. But that makes me wonder (thinking about the philosophy that engenders this bill) why the minority students at those insitutions don’t count? This is dumb. Just another attempt to continue to emphaize race, lump people into groups, and deepen the bad feelings that previous attempts to “help” have created.
— Bill Jun 29, 06:55 AM #