Black Colleges Will Fight Cut To Federal Program

[HopeOverFear]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/10/us/AP-US-Budget-Black-Colleges.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1242067748-SmmITghVWHIVWr5vG728VQ


Leaders of historically black colleges say they'll fight a reduction in a federal program they call a financial lifeline at a time of economic distress for the schools and their students.

President Barack Obama's education budget, unveiled Thursday, included major spending increases in many areas -- but didn't include an extra $85 million that black institutions have received annually for the past two years thanks to a 2007 change to the student loan laws.

That two-year-old program provided direct funds to federally recognized HBCUs -- historically black colleges and universities.

Other direct federal support to the schools would increase from $238 million to $250 million, but with the expiration of the HBCU fund the schools effectively would see a $73 million cut.

A program supporting Native American tribal colleges would also see decreased funding, while one for institutions serving large numbers of Hispanic students would see an increase from $93 million to $98 million.

Education Department officials emphasized that all such institutions stand to gain from other parts of the budget, notably the proposed increase in the maximum Pell Grant for low-income students by $200 -- to $5,550.

Still, the move could suggest that even as the administration pushes big education spending increases focused on low-income and minority students, direct support for institutions isn't the most favored method. The HBCU program is unusual; most federal help for higher education goes to students, and thus only indirectly to schools.

''The administration is definitely committed to strengthening HBCUs and other colleges and universities that serve minority populations,'' said Carmel Martin, assistant secretary of education, on a press conference call Thursday. ''And one of the best ways we can do that is by supporting our students.''

The historically black colleges and universities have been hit particularly hard by the recession, and HBCU leaders said this is no time to cut back on programs offering direct support to institutions that play an outsized role educating the neediest students.

[firedupdem]

1. I'm sure it will get fixed. n/t

[Number23]

2. Somebody better fix this.

I think HBCU's are the only thing that keep black kids who grow up in majority non-black environments sane. I imagine it's probably the same for NA tribal colleges. Those schools need all of the damn money that they can get, particularly as the administrations at so many HBCU's are usually behind the curve.

My aunt was a Professor at Morehouse College; my cousin was chief counsel at FAMU; my mother's best friend was a professor at Clark Atlanta. The stories they tell about the crappy administration, non-working computers and shifty financial aid staff are heartbreaking. And cutting these schools' funds would ensure that even more of them fail -- and FAST.

P.S. Glad to see you here, HOF! :hi:

[firedupdem]

3. You just said it. My son is a student at Tuskegee. He's strapped

with personal loans...or should I say we're strapped..but everything you described is true. I was on the phone this morning trying to clear his room for the summer since his registration magically disappeared. :eyes: It's crazy, but he's getting a good education and he has met people from all over the country. I went to a public university and admit I never felt like I was a part of the school. He's getting an experience I never had. I just can't wait until he's done!

[Number23]

5. Girl, I was trying to be nice.

Let me keep my feelings about the state of HBCU's truly to myself. I get so frustrated with these schools. They are terribly needed and so often are terribly MANAGED.

I've done the public and private university thing. Had a ball both times.

[HopeOverFear]

4. What should we do, write a letter, email, something?

[Number23]

6. It's going to take alot

So many of these schools, from the President on down, are just are in over their heads. Alot of the folks at HBCU's (and I'm not talking about the elite HBCU's - the Howards, Morehouses, Tuskeegees and Spelmans. I'm talking about the other black colleges with the less well known faculty and focus areas) have very interesting ways of running things.

Firedup's comment about her son's registration disappearing is no where near unusual at these schools. Writing letters to Obama may do something, but honestly these schools need better management and more help from their alumni. The alumni demanding that schools keep their accreditations, stay on top of IT, modernize their curriculums, bring in competent staff etc. etc. will do alot more and do it faster than any involvement from the slow @ss federal government. Plus a donation to the UNCF would never hurt.

[HopeOverFear]

8. So do you think Obama is wrong for cutting funding from this program for HBCU's

or was it HBCU's job all along to get their shit together?

[Number23]

10. Both.

[Brewman_Jax]

7. Unfortunately...

You are correct. Morris Brown in Atlanta has been in the news lately, for regular (and too frequent) financial troubles. :(

[Number23]

9. Is Mo Brown still around??

Last I heard, they'd lost all of their accreditation and were closing up shop. Were even trying to send students to other schools. And that was like 10 years ago!

[ellacott]

11. Tom Joyner offered to buy Morris Brown

They gave him the run around. I don't know if he's still pursuing it.

[Number23]

12. Wow. I had no idea that Tom Joyner had those kinds of funds

Either he is alot wealthier than I ever knew or Morris Brown must be really cheap to buy. :)

Hopefully a good resolution will come from all of this. My great-aunt went to Morris Brown and always spoke so highly of it. It would be a real shame if more black colleges have to go under because of bad management.

[ellacott]

13. Yes, Tom is very wealthy

It truly is a shame that this school may go under because of bad management. Morris Brown has had years to get itself together.

[Fire1]

14. What happened to UNCF? Never was enough money

anyway, since most of these schools had to pursue private fundraising each and every year. I'm a legacy of Tenn. A&I. Both parents were graduates and Howard Univ. I think A&I got tired of the financial problems and finally qualified for federal funds many years ago.