A U.S. Senate panel has rejected White House plans to consolidate federal science programs for minority-serving colleges and universities, noting that these postsecondary institutions reap significant gains under the existing system.

“One size will not fit all,” the Senate Appropriations Committee said in outlining its opposition to the Obama administration plan to merge the programs into a larger fund and then allow participation by majority white institutions. Instead, the panel voted to continue existing funding streams for the federal fiscal year that begins Oct 1.

In its fiscal 2011 budget plan, the National Science Foundation proposed consolidating three programs funded at $90 million annually:

n      The Historically Black College and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP);

n      The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation; and

n      The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (T-CUP).

In place of these programs, the plan would create a new authority through which majority-White institutions also could apply for funds in partnership with MSIs. NSF said it would increase funding for the new program and also bring Hispanic-serving institutions into the mix as well.

But the plan has faced significant opposition in the MSI community. HBCUs voiced strong criticism of the idea, and Hispanic-serving institutions said they had expected to get their own pot of money similar to HBCUs and tribal colleges.

“The vote is a clear indication that the minority-serving institution community has been heard,” Edith Bartley, government affairs director at the United Negro College Fund, told Diverse.

In rejecting the consolidation, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommends continued funding for HBCU-UP at $32 million, the Stokes program at $44.7 million and T-CUP at $14 million.

“These three programs each have different purposes and engage students and colleges and universities in a different manner,” the committee said.