Historically Black Colleges

Is it just me or are a lot of Historically Black Colleges going under or getting in trouble?

Before people start saying that more "regular" colleges are in trouble or going under one must look at it like this……
Regular Colleges having problems (not black) vs. All regular colleges in the US
Black colleges having problems vs. Total number of black colleges

I don’t have time to make a list of schools having problems (I’m doing school work, can’t you tell?)

 

I know Morris Brown had some major problems and lost their accreditation years ago. I also hear that Texas Southern and Paul Quinn having difficult times. I read another article about a possible merger of three HBCU's in Mississippi to save funds, which was eventually canned.

 

My alma mater (North Carolina Central University) is doing quite well. We are celebrating 100 years!!!!

 

I think most black colleges are 100 years or older.

The HBCU (Talladega College) I attended after high school was started in 1865.

 

Hey Tireman,
I am also a NCCU graduate. I finished a MA in English there in spring '09.

 

It's a very real issue. The position of HBCUs has changed significantly in the past few decades. African-American students now have options that generations before them never had, and many are opting to pursue degrees at mainstream institutions. This results in declining enrollment in some cases.

 

I agree.

I planned on finishing my degree at an HBCU but things just didn't work out. The customer service at the school was horrible and I refused to run behind them about getting my paperwork done.

 

I'm shocked that no HBCU has awoken to the opportunity to reach the "unreachable" through distance learning. There are few DL options at the HBCUs I've looked at. It seems like a perfect opportunity for the HBCUs to offer education to those who need it yet can't afford to take four or five years off from life to move away to a school.

 

Not mine. They have alot of offerings...MLS being one of them

Distance Education/Distance Learning

 

Several HBCUs offer online degree programs. Albany State and Fort Valley State are both affordable at $167 per hour.

Directory of HBCU Distance Learning Programs

 

I have to admit, I don't get it.

Can someone explain to me how a college can only cater to one race? Wouldn't you think the ACLU would be all over a college if the roles were reversed. I'm just not well versed on black colleges and I've always wondered how something like that still exists in this day and age. Reminds me of Jim Crow. (Kind of)

I live in a very ethically diverse area, so the idea just seems strange to me.

 

HBCUs are certainly anachronistic but are often backed by very loyal supporters, faculty and alumni. One of the better funded HBCUs, Delaware State University, is approximately 80% African-American today. In the late 70's that number was closer to 99%.

 

HBCUs don't just cater to one race.

 

Langston University actually seems to be growiing. They have their traditional campus at Langston but they also have growing numbers of students at their Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses.

 

Most HBCUs are still predominantly black. You assume too much regarding "historically." HBCU is an official designation for institutions starting prior to 1964 with the purpose of educating African-Americans.

Some (Bluefield State is a prime example) no longer contain a disproportionately African-American student body, but I would venture to say that most HBCUs are still majority African-American.

 

While they offer admission to all races, the focus for many HBCUs is on African-American students at an institutional level.

 

Can you be a bit more specific, please. I THINK I understand what you are saying, but it could be interpreted differently.

I don't think many would say that HBCUs neglect their non-black students who are enrolled there. HBCUs definitely make it a point to recruit African-American students. They go to predominately black high schools and give recruitment presentations. In addition, there are most likely greater opportunities to study African-American history than at some non-HBCUs. I suppose that if I wanted to major in Jewish Studies Morehouse and Howard probably wouldn't be on my top list of schools.

However, in my mind, HBCUs are no different from religious affiliated universities. I went to a Catholic high school and I know for a fact that Catholic universities aggressively recruit their students from Catholic high schools. While non-Catholic schools certainly recruited at my high school, we had a special day in which ONLY Catholic universities came and gave their presentations. In addition, practicing Catholics were given preference in admissions.

 

I agree with this statement.

I think some people have a hard time with the whole "historically black" thing and I can understand that.