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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Will HBCUs Become An Endangered Species?

Click HERE to listen to a commentary by Glen Ford

The issue of merging or closing HBCUs is definitely not an issue exclusive to the state of Georgia. What are your thoughts?

Shaw Student Silent Protest 12/4/08

The quality is somewhat poor - but we're sure you'll get the point!

Thompson Hospitality Extends Philanthropic Gift to University

Raleigh, NC – (December 12, 2008) The gift that keeps on giving has landed at Shaw University. Donan Chicot, District Manager and Corporate Safety Director for Thompson Hospitality, presented Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, President of Shaw University with a check for $10K.

In his presentation he stated to Dr. Newsome, “Thompson Hospitality is the University’s partner and we are a part of the Shaw Family. We care about providing the best offerings to the University’s faculty, staff and students.”

Dr. Newsome reciprocated by reassuring him that Thompson’s presence on the campus is a welcome partnership and stated, “We value our partnership with Thompson Hospitality and we appreciate the generous support that you continuously provide to the University.”

Chicot discussed their plans to launch new offerings beginning with the Spring semester in January. “We will introduce the World Theme that offers special dishes from around the world coupled with a regular menu. There will also be a commercial microwave installed in the cafeteria for student use.”

Dr. Newsome applauded the adjustments that Thompson will make beginning January 2009. In parting Chicot stated, “You are only as good as your last meal.”

Shaw University Offices Closed During the Break

While some students will be celebrating the end of the fall semester and the beginning of their holiday vacation, other students like sophomore Christopher Williams said he will be working hard withdrawing from Shaw University.

However, according to university officials, it might be difficult accessing some services for Williams and other students as all but very essential university offices will be closed during the holiday.

Shaw President Dr. Clarence Newsome stated in a release that, "From 5:00pm Friday, December 19, 2008 until 8:00 am Monday, January 5, 2009 the university will be closed for external services."

According to some students the announcement worried them.

"What if my new school has questions or needs documents while I'm gone? Who am I suppose to call", said Williams.

Vice President for Fiscal Affairs, Thomas Poitier said Fiscal Affairs will close on December 19 as well and will not reopen until January 5.

"Although I will not be available in the office over the break, students can feel free to email me at tpoitier@shawu.edu. I will be checking periodically to provide students with any information I can."

Although some students said this kind of information should have been communicated to them ahead of time, other students like senior, Jonah Davis said faculty and staff deserve to take a break as well. "Don't get me wrong the administration should be flexible in some situations" said Davis.

"Students have had an enormous amount of time to handle what ever business they needed to handle up until this point. We do work with our students but we are as restless as they are," said Office of Student Affairs Planning and Effectiveness Director Juanda Holley.

However, Poitier suggested that all faculty and staff should at least be available via email in the event that there are emergency concerns that if possible may be handled.

Some students said they want staff and faculty to have what some say is a well deserved break, but many said they still will have needs over the next few weeks.

"As long as all of my documents are ok for me to transfer I'm good to go," said Williams.

Headaches May Await Unregistered Students

With the fall semester over, some students said they are relieved and ready to go home for the holidays, but apparently with only 57 percent of students registered for classes in the spring, some faculty are asking if students will be prepared for next semester when they return?

According to Shaw's Director of Institutional Research, Brian Cumberbatch, 1,483 students out of 2,615 students who began classes in the fall are registered for spring classes.

Shaw Records Maintenance Clerk Derrick Gill said students do not realize the jeopardy they place themselves in by not registering in advance, especially those who have outstanding issues with the university. "You can't do anything unless you are cleared. You must be cleared," said Gill.

"My classes tend to fill up quickly," said sophomore Tanisha McGaughey, "so I registered already, plus my advisor stayed on me about registering early."

Junior Dominique Willis said that he registered early for convenience. He said he didn't want to get into a class that conflicted with other priorities, so he found classes early that were convenient for him.

Senior Jessica Davis, a student athlete, said she was encouraged by her coaches to register early. Davis said being able to participate in athletics goes hand in hand with academics.

"I play for the prestigious Shaw University Lady Bears and in order to play, you have to have classes so I've already registered," said Davis.

Why have some students still not registered?

Some students like senior Bree Ellis said the reason they have yet to register is because they have not been advised. Others like sophomore Rakilli Washington said they have delayed registering because they are transferring next semester.

University officials said students who have yet to register for classes may be in jeopardy of not being able to get into courses they need to graduate.

Also without a minimum of 12 credit hours, students may not live in the dormitories, according to university officials.

The registration period began Oct. 16. Registration ends on Jan. 26.

-Sharece Crawford

Gates Grants Aim to Help Low-Income Students Finish College

With concerns growing that the recession will make it even harder for low-income students to remain in college, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Monday announced nearly $70 million in grants as part of an ambitious initiative: to double the number of low-income students who earn a college degree or vocational credential by age 26.

The foundation hopes to encourage other nonprofits, religious organizations and the federal government to join its mission to help low-income students get the education required for steady employment in higher paying jobs, said Hilary Pennington, who will direct the Gates Foundation’s postsecondary effort.

The statistics behind the initiative are stark. While growing numbers of students in this country enroll in college, most of them never graduate. With large numbers working full time to pay for college and a lack of institutional support for struggling students, only about 25 percent of low-income students earn any kind of postsecondary degree, experts say. The rate for black and Latino students is about 20 percent.

“We console ourselves that we’re going to be fine in the world because we have this great higher education system and all our kids are going to college,” Ms. Pennington said. “But they’re not finishing. That is enormously debilitating for young people.”

And the lack of a higher education degree or credential is particularly debilitating in a recession, said Anthony Carnevale, the director of the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University.

“The people who survive the best have always been and continue to be the ones with postsecondary education,” Dr. Carnevale said, adding that the unemployment rate for people without a college education was generally four times as high as for those with a two- or four-year degree.

Most of the foundation’s money would go not directly to students but to programs intended to help them make it through college.

The Gates Foundation said that doubling the numbers of low-income students who earned a postsecondary degree or vocational degree by age 26 would translate into an increase of about 250,000 graduates each year.

The goal is attainable, said Dr. Carnevale, whose research shows that each year there are 560,000 students who graduate in the top half of their high school class — and have the test scores that show they could succeed in college — but who fail to earn a two- or four-year degree within eight years of graduating.

The vast majority of these students are from families earning less than $85,000 a year.

Included in the Gates Foundation’s initiative are $33.2 million in grants for improving postsecondary education, so lower income students can quickly learn the skills they need to succeed at college.

A second set of grants is intended to strengthen institutional support for low-income students, including a $13 million award to MDRC, a nonprofit education research organization, to expand its performance-based scholarships for low-income college students. These scholarships will be delivered through three colleges in Ohio, two in New York City, one in New Mexico and statewide in California.

The Gates Foundation’s announcement came a week after a report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education concluded that the spiraling cost of college — even before the recession — threatened to put higher education out of reach for most Americans, with the greatest burden falling on low income families.

The share of income required to pay for college, even with financial aid, has been growing especially fast for lower-income families, the report found.

“The timing could not be better,” said Richard Kahlenberg, a senior fellow with the Century Foundation, in Washington, who is an expert on income inequality and education, referring to the Gates Foundation’s announcement.

“With college endowments declining and states cutting higher education budgets,” Mr. Kahlenberg said, “low-income college students will be more squeezed than ever, and attrition rates are likely to increase. The Gates Foundation can’t address the financial burdens by itself, but its focus on what types of programs work best may help spur action by the federal government.”

The Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropy, has in the last eight years become a leader in secondary education reform, spending close to $2 billion to improve high schools, from New York City to Boston to Los Angeles, and raise their graduation rates and students’ college preparedness.

While the foundation has spent an additional $2 billion on minority college scholarships, the new grants represent its first major push in the area of postsecondary reform.

The foundation will continue its work with high schools, said Vicki Phillips, who directs that effort, though with a greater emphasis on strengthening teaching and the curriculum.

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