Civil rights lawsuit says Missouri underfunded its Historically Black land-grant university

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) — Alumni and students of one Missouri Historically Black University say the state shortchanged the school by over $300 million.

Students and alumni of Lincoln University filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Wednesday against the State of Missouri, alleging decades of underfunding for the state’s only 1890 land-grant university. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Wednesday morning. It is the first case brought by the 1890 Project challenging a state’s failure to meet its funding obligations to an 1890 land-grant university.

Lawyers say they are looking into funding disparities for other 1890 land-grant universities and are prepared to file more lawsuits if needed.

Lincoln University and the University of Missouri are the two land-grant schools in Missouri. The lawsuit says only the University of Missouri was receiving its land-grant match from the state.

Lawyers and federal officials say the state has underfunded Lincoln University by $361.6 million between 1987 and 2020. The lawsuit is asking for more than $500 million in damages and for the state to permanently commit to equitable funding for Lincoln.

The governor and attorney general declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Students describe campus conditions

Lincoln students say the money would help address rundown buildings and quality of campus life.

“When you compare it to other schools it definitely does seem like we’re getting the short end of the stick a lot of the time. It feels a little hurtful to see that a school with so much history and so much pride and legacy we’re getting so ignored,” said Jadyn Wear, a Lincoln University student.

Students say they notice differences in residence halls, dining options, and course options compared to peers at the University of Missouri and other schools.

“This funding would help to take care of those matters that we don’t need to be living in these conditions,” said Janai Lewis, a Lincoln University student.

Lawyers cite stalled talks with state

The lawsuit is being handled by the legal team at the 1890 Project, a legal effort led by Don Calloway’s law firm, Calloway Law, to secure equitable funding for the HBCUs established by the Second Morrill Act of 1890.

“We did not want to have to file suit, but we feel the discussions have gone away with the state of Missouri via the Attorney General’s office,” said Don Calloway, 1890 Project lead counsel.

Calloway said it is important for Missouri to address the funding shortfall before lawmakers begin crafting the next state budget.

“We believe it is extraordinarily important that the legislature does not sit in January and consider a budget bill based upon an unconstitutional funding rubric,” Calloway said.

In September 2023, the U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and Education documented more than $12 billion in cumulative funding shortfalls across 16 states from 1987 through 2020, measured against each state’s 1862 land-grant university. The 1890 Project is pursuing those obligations state by state.

Legislative Black Caucus responds

The Missouri Legislative Black Caucus expressed support for Lincoln University following the lawsuit filing. The caucus said it respects the judicial process and does not prejudge matters before the court, while supporting efforts to ensure Lincoln has the resources and a predictable funding framework.

“Lincoln University has served Missourians for generations, and its future matters to communities across our state,” said State Representative Michael Johnson, chair of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.

The caucus encouraged the governor and legislative leaders to work with Lincoln University and other stakeholders during the 2027 legislative session and to consider Lincoln’s needs in the fiscal year 2028 budget process.

“Lincoln University educates Missourians from every county, background, and political party,” Johnson said. “The Caucus is committed to working with colleagues across the aisle and with state leaders to support Lincoln’s continued success and to advance a fair, dependable approach to its funding.”

Lincoln University was founded in 1866 by soldiers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantry and is Missouri’s 1890 land-grant institution.

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