TROUBLING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE UPDATE: Many Face Severe Problems and Possible Extinction.

Many of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are strapped for cash, have suffered cutbacks in both state and federal government funding and questions are being raised about the need for their continued existence in the post-Civil Rights Movement era.

The above represent some of the thoughts expressed last week by the presidents of some of the nation's top Black colleges as they testified before the House Education and Labor Committee.

But Kentucky State University President Mary Sias spoke for the group telling the committee, "HBCUs are and continue to be needed and are as vital now to the educational system in America as they have ever been."

Experts currently estimate that while historically Black colleges represent only 4 percent of all institutions of higher education, they graduate 40 percent of all African American students.

In addition, the single biggest problem facing the Black schools appears to be adequate funding.

For example, a 2005 report by the National Science Foundation found that six percent of the nation's top predominantly white universities received more federal funds for research than 79 historically Black colleges and universities combined.