( KTRS ) Protests by black University of Missouri students that forced the administration to address racism, mirror efforts made decades ago that led many majority white schools to create African-American studies and other programs.

But some experts say those programs and ethnic studies departments across the country are struggling with funding, low-staffing and dwindling enrollment. African and African-American Studies at Lehman College in the Bronx once had 10 full-time faculty members, but now has only five full-timers and one substitute assistant professor whose term expires in June.

Chair and professor Mark Christian says he believes most departments in black studies around the nation have similar problems with a lack of investment from administrations.