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For the second year in a row, the Oklahoma Legislature has boosted funding for Langston University, focusing on deferred maintenance and the expansion of its agricultural extension efforts.
Despite this progress, Black state senators argue that the state’s only historically Black college or university (HBCU) still lacks the resources needed to fully meet its mission in today’s competitive academic environment.
Langston University President Ruth Ray Jackson welcomed the funding, noting that the resources will support critical improvements to learning and working environments across campus. She emphasized the university’s commitment to responsible stewardship and service excellence.
Historical Underfunding and New Budget Line Items
This year’s increased funding comes amid renewed attention to Langston’s decades-long underfunding. In 2023, federal officials estimated that Langston was shorted by at least $419 million due to inequitable state appropriations.
Though state leaders questioned the method used to calculate this figure, federal grant matching requirements prompted a new $2.5 million line item in FY 2025 for the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences to expand its services from 19 to 28 counties. In FY 2026, this was raised to $5.5 million.
In addition, Langston received $10.1 million for deferred maintenance, which state lawmakers specified must go toward long-needed repairs and upgrades. Improvements include new HVAC units, plumbing repairs, roof replacements, and chiller installations for the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Senators Advocate for Equity
Senator Chuck Hall, whose district includes Langston, said he was proud to help increase funding and praised Jackson’s leadership.
However, Senators Regina Goodwin and Nikki Nice—both Democrats and Langston advocates—voiced strong disappointment, stressing that the university remains underfunded compared to institutions like Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the University of Oklahoma (OU).
“They’ve still been shortchanged out of nearly $419 million since 1987,” Goodwin said, referencing the Morrill Act of 1890, which mandated equal support for Black land-grant universities.
Both senators emphasized the disproportionate capital allocations OSU and OU receive, such as $250 million for a veterinary college and $200 million for a pediatric hospital, compared to Langston’s share.
Push for Unrestricted Funding and Transparency
Lawmakers like Goodwin and Nice also highlighted the need for unrestricted funds, arguing that while Langston gets targeted investments, it lacks flexible funding for programming, faculty hiring, and operational growth.
They criticized comparisons claiming Langston is the highest-funded school per student, saying those figures misrepresent research and federal dollars as part of base funding—a metric not applied equally to other universities.
A Call for Long-Term Commitment
While Langston’s administration acknowledged and appreciated the additional funding, they reiterated that the university’s critical infrastructure demands consistently outpace resources.
Assistant Director of Communications Jet Turner said the latest state support will allow high-impact campus upgrades, but emphasized the need for more sustainable investments in the future.
As budget discussions unfolded, Sen. Nice hinted at ongoing negotiations to secure additional resources in the 2026 session. “There were some conversations that I feel are promising,” she said. “I want to ensure those promises are honored to truly support Langston’s mission and the students it was built to serve.”
Despite welcome increases in state support, Langston University continues to face systemic challenges rooted in a long history of underfunding and inequitable resource allocation.
While lawmakers and school leaders recognize the progress, the path to full parity—particularly for Oklahoma’s only HBCU—requires deeper, more flexible, and sustained investment.
As the new academic year begins, advocates hope future legislative sessions will deliver on that promise.