Cuts at Spelman and Other HBCUs.

I reject the notion that HBCUs as a whole are in a more ‘precarious’ position than their PWI counterparts. I think these kinds of stories are rather Chicken Little-like, in that they become a “HBCUs are dying!” thing. I suspect the real reason we keep seeing and hearing these stories is because people have strong opinions about the existence of HBCUs; that is, it’s terrible if any black school closes.

Obviously with smaller endowments, more are at-risk, but HBCUs aren’t an unalloyed good–if a small, poor school isn’t viable, it should prepare to close. And as Gasman said, some of these schools have been on the bubble for decades.

Side note: I think it’s disingenuous for people to bring up Morris Brown as an example in this conversation. That school has been in hot water for years and that has little to do with the economy or the fact that it’s an HBCU — its plight is due to mismanagement.

Also (and sorry this is getting so long), I commend Spelman for tightening its belt and being fiscally responsible. Schools across the country (including the one I work at) are being forced to do the same thing, and I think that’s a story that should be told.

I feel more worried for the public HBCUs that rely on public funds from the state. With proposed legislation from state officials like the GA State Senator that called for merging Savannah State with another nearby PWI, threats like that are cause for concern.