This year, the U.S. News & World Report provided separate rankings, for the first time, of Historically Black Colleges & Universities. The top 5 included Spelmen, Howard, Hampton, Morehouse, & Fisk respectfully. Although I'm not surprised of this ranking, I am still a bit partial to my undergraduate institution, Mississippi Valley State University. :)....as I digress.
On another note, during a Tavis Smiley interview of Mr. Kenneth Terrell, an editor of the U.S. News & World Report, it was reported that of the 100 or so Historically Black Colleges & Universities, the collective endowments of these institutions are $2 billion. In comparison to their historically white counterparts, some Predominately White Institutions have this amount alone ($2 billion). For example, in 2006, according to the National Association of Colleges & University, Harvard University endowment was over $34 billion. The University of Virginia held an endowment amount of $4 billion. The University of Arkansas held a an endowment of $900 million.
$2 billion isn't a lot of money for 104 colleges & universities across the country. Just think....Harvard has about 17 times more money in endowment as ALL of the HBCUs combined. Williams College holds a $2 billion endowment and it enrolls 1,000 less students than Morehouse College.
As I think about why HBCUs are so underfunded, I began to think about the relevance of these institutions. Being a proud undergraduate of an HBCU and since then being educated at Predominately White Insitutions, I often feel conflicted about some issues effecting HBCUs. Are they still as relevant as they once were when blacks lacked the access to attend Predominately White Insitutions? How well do these homogeneous settings prepare students for a heterogeneous world? For whom are they most appropriate?
When we begin to think about the important so HBCU in America we must always remembers that these institutions were created in a society build on inequality, indifference, and subjugation. And Just like race they are yet to fulfill equal status. I think that HBCUs are still relevant because they provide higher education to those individuals who might not otherwise have access. Think about the number of students that do not meet the traditional academic entrance requirements….what would happen if there was no Summer Developmental Studies Program? I don’t think that African Americans do enough to invest in our institutions. For example, we will attend a HBCU but when it’s time for our children to go to college we will send them to PWIs. (this does not include all of course).
ReplyDeleteVery good blog! I believe that HBCS are still very relevant. They are the portal to success for countless African-Americans who need what HBCUS offer. However, we need greater financial investments in our HBCUS! The Obama administration is pumping much needed money into these schools!
ReplyDeleteWhen HBCU”S first started, their mission was to provide access to higher education to those who did not have access to PWI’s. Even in this time when access to education is now attainable to more people, HBCU’s are still relevant. Now they have the opportunity to reach more students from all walks of life.
ReplyDeleteAs a two time HBCU graduate (Mississippi Valley State University and Southern University Law Center), I don't think the question is if these institutions ARE relevant but, rather, how do we KEEP them relevant. The best answer to that question is for HBCU's to continue to produce quality graduates.
ReplyDeleteAn education at an HBCU comes with the intangible of nurturing instructors who care about the student as persons. They are genuinely interested in the success of students who, often times, mirror their own backgrounds and struggles. This creates a familiarity that an African-American student cannot receive at a non-HBCU.
I believe that HBCU's provide quality, heartfelt educations that allow its graduates to compete with graduates from ANY institution in the country.
As someone who did not attend an HBCU (but very much wanted to), I would say HBCUs are relevant to an extent, but it depends on the individual. Like Carlos stated,at times, attending an HBCU can make a student feel less isolated when they see students that look like them and come from similar backgrounds; however, those same students could potientially graduate with tunnel vision...they only see what's in front of them. I attended a PWI, and had a great experience, but it could be due to the fact that my institution was the most diverse in our system (13 4-year and 13 2-year)and provided me with a holistic view of what I will encounter once I graduate. Are HBCUs relevant? In my opinion, absolutely!!
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the endowments of HBCUs: I think that African Americans don't invest as much in institutions period...take a look at how many alumni of color actually give back to their respective institution...the number is quite small (Take the U of A for example...yes you see a good number of African Americans that come to BAS functions, but in comparision to those that are financially active, the number is minimal.)
Great Blog Trap!! I'll be looking forward to reading more from you! BTW, my blog is coming soon so be on the look out (it's in the works now!)
After having a long discussion with a fraternity brother who attended a PWI and later was employed and educated at a HBCU, we both discussed the importances of HBCUs. Surely, if there negative perception of anyone or anything, it will definitely be noticed. But what isn't highly notices is the greatness that comes from these institutions, the alums of the institutions who may not be the superstars, but are people who make differences in the lives of others. Are HBCUs relevant, just as everyone else has stated, YES! But, from me having the opportunity to work, take a couple of courses, and being able to have conversations with students, faculty members, & fellow staff members, some of the same things, as far as things that would give HBCUs the reputation (good, bad, & ugly) have, PWIs encounter. But, what PWIs have that most HBCUs lack is the support from their Alums. I know, personally, I made it my duty to give back to my institutions as much as I could, soon as I could. Unfortunately, other alumni of these institutions do not have the same mindset as me due to their lack of funds or even their experience at their Alma Mater. There is something that needs to be done on both parts (Students and the University) in order to ensure the livelihood of these Institutions of Higher Learning. Students need to get the most out of their College experience and not blame every issue they may have on the university. That's where the phrase, "College is definitely what you make of it." If students continue spending their time worrying and wining about their "REFUND CHECKS" and "THE INSTRUCTOR WAS WRONG FOR GIVING ME A D WHEN THEY COULD HAVE GIVEN ME A C" their collegiate experience would be one to remember, in a good way. I'm not saying, that students should not express their opinions about these issues, but I've been around students who would talk about these things day in and day out, and I'm sure some of you have too! Institutions need to do a better job in nurturing their students while they are there and their Alumni once they graduate. I can say from personal experience that, besides the advisors who I talk to on a regular basis from MVSU, the only time I hear from my Alma Mater is when they are looking for donations. I do my best to keep tabs on my alma mater and I donate when I can and have donated when it was hard for me to financially, and because I have done that I do feel entitled to a newsletter of some sort to inform me about the productivity of the University. Alumni definitely can do better in supporting their alma maters. There is nothing wrong with donating $1 a day to your institutions. I mean, a lot of us will eat up more than $30 in a month and surely some of us need to skip a meal or two, I'm just saying. As I said, HBCUs definitely serve a purpose in the world, but just like a growing plant, it needs to be nurtured on all ends; by students, the university, and its alumni.
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me so long Trap to respond to this blog, I will continue to give my input and support your blog! Looking forward to future topics!!!