BALTIMORE (AP) - A long-running dispute involving Maryland's historically black colleges has cost the Maryland Higher Education Commission millions.
The Baltimore Sun reports the commission has spent more than $2.2 million defending itself in the lawsuit, according to records provided to the paper under a Public Information Act request. The paper reports that about $925,000 went to law firm Venable LLP and $1.3 million to Zuckerman Spaeder LLP.
Advocates for the state's historically black colleges sued Maryland more than a decade ago, accusing the state of running a segregated university system.
Advocates argue that marquee academic programs at well-funded, traditionally white public universities erode similar programs at historically black colleges. They've called for some of the programs to be transferred to the historically black schools.
A trial on remedies began last month.
