‘It’s racist.’ Indy lawmaker blasts Braun for not funding Martin University

An Indianapolis Democrat blasted Gov. Mike Braun’s first budget proposal as racist.

Braun’s proposed budget would not fund the state’s only predominantly Black university or a state grant program designed to get more first-generation and minority students to college.

“The active intervention to end or attack anything in the budget that gives state dollars to people of color is sickening,” said Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, in a news release. “I won’t mince my words: It’s racist. Black Hoosiers and other minorities pay taxes, so we deserve to benefit from the state budget as much as our white counterparts.”

Braun did not immediately respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment on Porter’s statement.

The state sometimes funds private colleges such as Martin, but it’s not routine. However, Braun’s decision comes as he’s signed an executive order to eliminate state DEI programming and close the state office that focused on equity, opportunity and inclusion. Martin also is facing significant financial struggles, though it’s unclear whether college officials asked for funding.
 

Martin received $5 million in the 2023-25 state budget, which the university used to attract and retain Black students to its teaching, criminal justice and STEM programs, according to budget committee documents.

“Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students,” Porter said in the release. “No matter how hard they work, they’ll have the rug pulled out from under them.”

Martin University spokesperson Keona Williams said in an emailed statement that the school “has monitored and is aware of developments related to the state budget.”

“In the meantime, Martin University remains focused on its mission to serve our students and community,” Williams said.

Braun’s proposed budget also does not include funding for the College Success Program grant, which also received $5 million from the state in 2023. The grant paid for college counselors at state universities in an effort to help 21st Century Scholars, minority and first-generation students navigate college. It’s unclear when that money will run out.

Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery, which administers the College Success Program, did not respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment.
 

The Indiana General Assembly, which is controlled by Republicans, will pass a new two-year state budget before the session ends in April. Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, who is chair of the budget-writing House Ways and Means Committee, did not respond to Mirror Indy’s request for comment.

The state’s private colleges do sometimes receive state money. In 2013, the state provided funding to Marian University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine so the school could create a primary care scholarship program.

That scholarship, which still exists today, now grants up to $15,000 to Marian medical students who pledge to work in an Indiana medical shortage area after graduating.

Audit casts doubt on Martin’s future

Braun’s budget proposal comes as Martin faces significant challenges.

Martin’s enrollment has decreased significantly over the last decade and especially since the coronavirus pandemic. In fall 2013, there were 506 students enrolled at Martin. In 2023, there were 223 students enrolled, according to the most recent available federal data.

Additionally, a 2023 audit found that “substantial doubt exists about the university’s ability to continue” due to low enrollment, increased borrowing and a 2022 cyberattack that damaged the university’s records.

As the top Democrat on Ways and Means and a member of the Black caucus, Porter said he hopes to work with Thompson to put funding for Martin and the College Success Program back in the budget.

He thinks the state should continue to fund Martin because of its unique status.

“We need to help (Indiana’s) only predominantly Black university,” Porter told Mirror Indy, “to give them the tools in the tool chest — with accountability — to persevere and help students of color.”

Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus. Contact Claire at claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org or on Instagram/X/Bluesky @clairerafford.

This article first appeared on Mirror Indy and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.