Shaw Alumni Support Ceases In Greensboro

To Whomever Concerned;

The Greensboro Chapter of the Shaw University National Alumni Association wishes to express our dissatisfaction with the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Team of Shaw University. After careful and pain wrenching debate, we have decided to withhold all financial support and cease all fundraising efforts until matters are properly addressed by the above mentioned parties. Our decision is based on several key facts:

*The Administrative Team has repeatedly demonstrated it does not have the capacity to manage the day-to-day operations of the college. Very basic budgetary goals relating to the well being of our students and relating to the academic integrity of the college have not been fulfilled. Hence the brand known as ‘Shaw University’ has diminished to a point where the retention of students, the procurement of funds and the galvanization of alumni has become daunting at best.

*The Administrative Team has failed to communicate effectively to students, faculty/staff and alumni. Students were forced to resort to a very public and embarrassing act of civil disobedience recently in order to get the attention of the administration. This act could have been averted if lines of communications had been available. The faculty has expressed it’s displeasure with the Administrative Team but are muted in response because of fears of retaliation which could jeopardize their employment at the college. Alumni have long called for more openness from the Office of the President, but at this time it has not occurred.

*The Administrative Team has not put forth a strategic plan designed to address past, present and future financial issues confronting the college.

*The Administrative Team has failed to pursue and followed up on potential fundraising opportunities. Case History: Two years ago the Greensboro Chapter was approached by one of our most prominent local ministers who expressed a desire to make a sizeable contribution to Shaw University in his honor. Considering the potential size of this gift, we felt it should be handled directly by the Office of the President. This information was communicated to a Vice-President and we fully expected everything would have been done to secure the funds. Follow-up with the minister was done a year later and we were told that he had not heard a thing from Raleigh. We questioned the Vice-President about this matter and were told that it was no longer their concern because they had been fired. Sadly, this opportunity could be lost forever, and the Greensboro Chapter will not peruse it any further at this time.

*The Administrative Team had failed to ‘mine’ local Baptist churches for more support. The president should have made an appearance in large churches in every city and asked ministers to pass a plate in the name of Shaw University to help us through this financial crisis.

*The Administration has failed to properly police students accounts and has failed to collect unpaid debt from current students which has worsened the financial health of the college.

*The Administration has failed to monitor and expel students who damage university property. When I was there, Shaw would purchase a bus ticket just to be rid of you.

*The Administration has failed to monitor and to ensure all employees are executing the duties they were hired to perform. Often times we can’t even find people in their offices when we visit.

*The Administrative Team has accumulated a mounting debt that is used to cover the daily operating expenses of the University. It is one thing to buy a plasma tv on a credit card, but when you are using it to pay your monthly reoccurring expenses, -you have real financial problems.

*The CAPE sites are not adequately supported and in some cases have become an eyesore to their respective communities. The Greensboro Chapter has decided to divert monies we would normally send to Raleigh and use it to help spruce up the High Point campus.

Fiscal Irresponsibility Could Possibly Lead To Shaw's Demise

Six years ago, salaries to Shaw employees maintained  Shaw's infrastructure and commanded over 50% of our total budget. Today, major functions of our University are  outsourced to more than seventy companies. Non-competitive bidding has resulted in a number of costly vendors who  perform most major University services such as landscaping, building maintenance, copying, mowing, waste services, bookstore, postal services, food services, help desk, touring, credit cards and cell phone use for administrators, course management programs, management and public relations  consultants, networking, housekeeping, and payroll. 

Let us indicate one such example. The GuideStar report lists one of our largest contractors in 2004 as the Aramark  Corporation who provided Food Services to Shaw at a yearly  cost of $1,560,883. Today, with fewer students who offset  inflationary trends, Thompson Hospitality still commands  roughly $360,000 extra per year for food services.  Furthermore, outsourcing has plummeted Shaw's personnel  budget to around 30% while our infrastructure totters at the
precipice.
 
A loyal Shaw employee is concerned with the prosperity of  Shaw and will not tolerate other employees living in filth. An outsourced worker is only concerned about doing the least possible work required to complete the contracted job.  Our managers could have decided to curtail spending on such  massive wasteful outsourcing. In addition, they could have
eliminated pay disparities favoring top administrators and  their assistants. Demonstrating leadership, they also could have spent less on frivolous auxiliary endeavors and
allocated more resources to educational programs that truly  help students become "only the best." Instead, our managers are implementing the worst possible options for dedicated Shaw employees: reducing faculty and staff  salaries, eliminating their benefits, and outsourcing their services. Such ill-timed mandates might reduce our personnel budget by another two million dollars. However, undermining Shaw's employee base will cripple Shaw for decades, long after these managers have departed our great institution.

Are Shaw University Executive Salaries A Bit Excessive?

Dr. Clarence G Newsome, President

Mr. Martel Perry - Executive Vice President

In 2004, GuideStar.org did a comparative analysis of highest salaries of North Carolina private colleges and universities. This analysis can be found by clicking >>HERE<<. In 2004, GuideStar reported Shaw's highest paid employees were the President at $150,000 and our Executive Vice President at $100,500. Though not officially disclosed, Shaw's executive assistants and secretaries have salaries near these figures. Indeed, one position for a Shaw staff with only a bachelor's degree in an ancillary office was blatantly advertised recently for $65,000. Executive salaries clearly place Shaw in the top twenty-five private schools even after considering elitist or large private schools such as Wake Forest, Duke, Campbell, Meredith, and Elon University. Furthermore, some of our executives received a 33% raise or large bonuses early last year before consenting to a 10-15% pay cut as part of our cost reductions. Such financial "sacrifices" should hardly be considered earth-shattering.

Shaw's Faculty Salaries Near Bottom

During the early part of the decade, Shaw contributed  salary information to the Chronicle of Higher Education and  the American Association of University Professors. During  most of the intervening years faculty members received no pay raises. Indeed, Shaw's faculty salaries have increased only 4% during the last five years. When discipline and institutional averages are considered by rank, Shaw's faculty salaries rank near the bottom in North Carolina's private colleges and universities. However, one uplifting note can be found when several faculty members responded to Professor James Kirkley's courageous challenge for Shaw teachers
to publicly share their salary, rank, field and degree. Teachers are beginning to "hang together."
Shaw's education graduates can also be gratified they will not share their teacher's shame of a low salary by clicking the following link.

In a few short years, the students we train to teach  elementary school with a bachelor's degree will have  salaries that outstrip almost all of their teachers.

Merging colleges a harmful measure

The recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial (12/7/08) asserting the virtue of merging historically black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs, with traditionally white counterparts in Georgia for cost savings purposes provides a narrow perspective on a complex set of issues and policy options.

Given Georgia’s demographics and the linkage between more and better education and economic growth, the state needs more, rather than fewer institutions of higher education. If Georgia is to attract investment capital, create jobs and innovation, have a robust economy and remain competitive in the new “flat” world, the last place the state should look to save money is education. Investing now in the talent and capacities of the people of Georgia, our human capital, is the only and best way to ensure a good quality of life for everyone in the future. Let us not be short-sighted.

Georgia’s public HBCUs have been and are a lifeline for underserved, low income black students. Combining HBCUs with traditionally white colleges would likely result in a net loss of higher education opportunity for underserved blacks and a reduction in diversity in higher education faculty, trustees and administrators.

Assertions to the contrary notwithstanding, a merger would dilute the mission and unique role that HBCUs play. There are lots of traditionally white schools and few HBCUs. HBCUs’ distinctive missions, history, outreach and programs should be preserved. No “one size fits all” approach is appropriate. Let’s preserve diversity in higher education, not reduce it. In any event, it is doubtful that real cost savings would be realized and certainly not in the near term from the proposed mergers of Albany State University with Darton College, for example. Combining a two-year college with a four-year institution is complex.

Moreover, the traditionally white institutions in question are, in the view of many, of lesser quality than the HBCUs with which they would be merged. We ought not compromise quality. If the concern is to ensure that all Georgia students attend integrated institutions of higher education, closure of the traditionally white campuses that were opened after the HBCUs in question had functioned for many years seems to be the most promising and equitable option. Closing those schools rather than the HBCUs would promote integration, save money, preserve diversity in course offerings and point of view, and ensure that blacks can continue to receive a good education in historic institutions designed to meet their needs.

By Lynn Huntley

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In Georgia, Stir Over Plan for Black Colleges

ATLANTA — As Georgia faces a potential $2 billion budget deficit, a state senator has created a stir with a plan for reducing education spending: merge two historically black universities in Albany and Savannah with nearby mostly white institutions.

The proposal was made this month by Seth Harp, a Republican who is the chairman of the State Senate Higher Education Committee, and quickly drew condemnation from many black educators, politicians and alumni.

But supporters say the plan would not only save millions of dollars but also reduce racial segregation in state-run universities.

“Institutions supported by taxpayers should be diverse, educating men and women of all colors and creeds,” wrote Cynthia Tucker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial page editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who is black. “There is no longer good reason for public colleges that are all-white or all-black.”

The plan appears unlikely to be adopted by the Georgia Board of Regents, in part because of the vocal opposition from black educators.

“Historically black institutions play a vital role in the community, the state and the nation,” said Dwayne Ashley, the president of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, which supports black colleges. “They provide educations to a number of young men and women who might not otherwise attend college.”

Research suggests that black students often perform better academically at historically black universities. These institutions, which are legally required to admit students of all races, achieve graduation rates similar to mostly white universities, even though they often admit students with less preparation, said Marybeth Gasman of the University of Pennsylvania, an expert in black higher education.

Mr. Harp’s plan would merge the historically black Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State University, and the historically black Albany State University with Darton College. In both cases the black schools would keep their names.

“When you look at Savannah and Albany, those communities really need only one school each,” Mr. Harp said. “The fact that two of these schools are historically black has less to do with my proposal than the economics.”

But he added, “We really need to close the chapter of segregated schools and create a unified system.”

The Board of Regents is not seriously considering the plan, said John Millsaps, a spokesman for the board. “It’s not really on the radar screen,” he said. “There’s not a lot of traction. It’s mainly a proposal by one individual.”

But that did not stop an outpouring of opposition. Alumni and faculty members of the black universities sent letters of protest to the governor, and Ruby Sales, the founder of SpiritHouse Project, a social justice organization, drafted a petition to save the black schools.

“This proposal would continue a long history of white officials implementing an economic plan that disintegrates institutions in the black community,” Ms. Sales said. “Black educational history has been decimated under these types of desegregation plans.”

Mr. Harp’s proposal is not without precedent. During desegregation, white and black schools were routinely merged, including the landmark 1979 union between the historically white University of Tennessee campus in Nashville and the black Tennessee State University.

But Peter J. Sireno, the president of Darton College, said in a statement that the school was “surprised by the idea suggested by Senator Harp.”

“It is my understanding that discussion of institutional mergers is not on the Board of Regents’ agenda at this time,” Mr. Sireno said. “If and when it is on the agenda, we will address it at that time.”

-Robbie Brown

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Shaw students feel like 'refugees'

RALEIGH - Male students at Shaw University are displaced. Their dormitory that flooded back in October still has not been brought up to code. They call themselves the "Shaw refugees."

On Dec. 4, a diverse group of more than 150 students and even some faculty marched to Estey Hall, the president's administration building, to engage in a silent protest. Some students wore duct tape on their mouths with messages and complaints about living conditions ranging from overcrowding to mold to poor maintenance.

President Clarence Newsome met with the students and advised them to draw up a list of their concerns. Students had previously submitted a list of demands on Nov. 5. Prior to that, a group of 50 students had protested over living conditions.

"This time a group of approximately 150 students came in a very silent, very orderly protest," said Terry Spicer, university spokeswoman. "I was really impressed. When people come to you in order, it's easy to respond." Spicer added that some of the students' demands last week overlapped what they had asked for last month, and they are already working on some of the issues.

According to Shawbearfacts, a student publication, Executive Vice President Martel Perry said in a Nov. 5 meeting with students that the university was $27 million in debt. Shaw student Eugene Johnson was concerned over the layoff of a "beloved dean."

Spicer said that Dean Frederick Faison was one of several employees the university had to layoff because of budgeting restraints. "But even if it's one or two, the impact is large," she said. "Anybody losing employment is one too many. The university made some hard decisions, pain-staking decisions to all of us because what affects one member of the family affects all of us."

Johnson said that they would be submitting a second list soon in addition to the one they submitted last month, and this one would go to administration and the board of trustees. The list includes reimbursing students who have been displaced. Johnson is one of several senior males who were displaced after a sprinkler flooded Talbert O. Shaw men's residential hall. He is now living with his aunt. Up to 150 junior and senior males lived in TOS before it flooded, according to the university's Web site.

Spicer said they were provided the option of going to the women's dormitory. However, she admitted that some students had to triple or quadruple up in rooms to be accommodated. She also emphasized that the flood was not the administration's fault.

"A student hung up clothes on a sprinkler head, and it caused major flooding ," she said. "A student caused the problem, and money wasn't planned for that as emergencies happen." She expects the dormitory will re-open after winter break, but, in the meantime, several students feel uncomfortable bunking up four to a room, and they have left campus.

"We call ourselves the 'Shaw refugees,' " said Brennan Henderson, a junior who is now staying at a friend's house. "It's sad.

James Wilder, who was also at TOS, said he had to run around and look for a place to stay without receiving any compensation from the university. "The financial aid money I'm paying for room and board is a waste," he said. "It's going down the drain."

Senior Trey Beckwith said that even before the flood there were problems with the vents and the air conditioning units, which he believes were clogged from years of dust. Beckwith said he thinks the poor circulation could have contributed to the spread of diseases, and it was especially problematic if people already had asthma. He also complained that the bathrooms would go two to three days without soap.

"We pay about $18,000 a year to this university, and we're not getting the basic necessities every human being should have," he said.

The older dorms date back to the 1970s and the newer dorms to 1995. "All of the dorms are old and have problems with mold because pretty much this university is more of a historical landmark for the city," Johnson said. "A lot of these buildings have the Granddaddy Clause. They somehow escape the upkeep and remodel of these buildings, and I'm not sure how.

"Some of our main concerns right now are just the upkeep of the school as far as removing of mold and just little maintenance things that need to happen like painting and new carpet. There's a couple things we think need to happen immediately. The piping here needs to definitely be looked into, and more so the professors who are working beneath their level of expectation needs to be evaluated. There are professors here that are not giving us what the mission statement has said; they're not preparing us appropriately."

Senior administrators could not be reached by deadline. But Newsome released the following statement: "Shaw University completely supports student engagement and is pleased that the students are addressing their issues of concern with passion and commitment about their educational environment and their future. This helps the institution to fully recognize that new ways and methods coupled with provisions for better living conditions needed to be quickly formulated and developed. This is a part of the educational discourse and from this, the university and its constituents will learn."

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Black Colleges Struggle to Keep Students

Although the following article is at least 2 years old, it is EXTREMELY relevant. Read and then sound off.

RICHMOND, Va. -- When Jessica Page visited Hampton University in March, she considered the trip a formality. She had already made up her mind to attend the school, considered by many a jewel among the nation's historically black institutions. Then she saw the campus.

The dorms weren't as sleek as she had pictured. Buildings seemed antiquated. Was this "The Real HU" she had heard about?

"I wasn't impressed," said Page, who later enrolled at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. "Hampton was my No. 1 choice _ until I visited."

Page is part of a steady trickle of talented young blacks slipping away from the nation's most prestigious black colleges.

Experts say aging campuses are one reason. But other reasons cited include increasing competition from predominantly white schools that are trying to become more diverse; changes in black students' desires; and the greater opportunities available to them in a society more integrated than that of their parents.

The exodus has left some black schools struggling to market themselves to youngsters who do not feel as duty-bound to attend black colleges as their parents did.

"The issue for black colleges is not, in my view, that there are not enough students to go around," said Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund. Instead, "students have a lot more choices and those students are being careful and more selective than ever before."

There are 103 historically black colleges and universities across the nation. Clustered mostly in the South, they were largely funded during the Reconstruction by wealthy whites as an alternative to universities that had shut out blacks.

For generations, these schools were valued by blacks for their unique campus traditions, their family-like environment and their skill at grooming the nation's black intellectual elite.

But the attraction appears to be waning.

Total U.S. college enrollment of black men and women ages 18 to 24 has increased from 15 percent in 1970 to roughly 25 percent in 2003. The number of black students enrolling in historically black schools has slowly increased, too, from 190,305 in 1976 to more than 230,000 in 2001.

But the percentage of black college students choosing a black school has been slipping, from 18.4 percent in 1976 to 12.9 percent in 2001, according to the U.S. Education Department's most recent figures.

Twenty-six of 87 black schools profiled by the department recorded enrollment declines between 1995 and 2004.

Alabama's Talladega College topped the list, losing nearly 54 percent of its students. The University of the District of Columbia, which boasted 9,663 students in 1995, had 5,168 in 2004. More troubling to some, enrollment was down at black powerhouses like Fisk and Tuskegee during the same period. (As for some other elite black schools, enrollment was flat at Morehouse between 1995 and 2004, and was up 11.5 percent at Spelman.)

Experts say one explanation is that predominantly white _ and often elite _ colleges and universities have been working hard to attract and keep black students.

At Virginia, for instance, incoming black students are paired with black upperclassmen who can give them guidance. Last year, the school expanded a financial aid program. And when black students enroll, they are presented a stole of bright African cloth in a ceremony called the "Donning of the Kente."

Valerie Gregory, director of outreach at the Charlottesville school and a Hampton graduate, said she is seeing more students like her daughter _ independent-minded black youths who don't feel as if they must be surrounded by other blacks.

"Students are more apt to want to be in an integrated environment and now aren't as shy to look and see if there's a possibility," said Gregory, whose high schooler is weighing mostly white James Madison University in the Shenandoah Valley against Spelman.

Black colleges are trying new strategies, including stepping up marketing and working to improve in certain academic areas. The United Negro College Fund is encouraging schools to take recruitment beyond bordering states and into territory like the Midwest.

Kassie Freeman, a dean at Maine's Bowdoin College and author of the book "African Americans and College Choice," said black schools have been focusing too much on mining black high schools for freshmen.

She said those students are typically ready for a more diverse environment. But many students who are attending predominantly white high schools "would much rather go to an environment where they can find their roots."

-By DIONNE WALKER
The Associated Press

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