Md. Agrees To Mediation In Black Colleges Suit

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The state of Maryland and attorneys representing historically black colleges have agreed to attempt to mediate a resolution to create high-demand academic programs at the schools.

Dori Henry, a spokeswoman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, said Thursday that U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm will serve as the mediator.

The announcement comes after U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake issued a 60-page ruling after years of debate in Maryland, where all four of the state's historically black colleges are a short distance away from at least one traditionally white college.

Blake found that the state is violating desegregation law by perpetuating the duplication of programs at predominantly white colleges. The ruling did not find the state at fault with two other policies relating to desegregation law that were considered in the case.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)