The Future of Private Black Colleges
The events of the last several decades–the civil rights movement, Black power, and Black consciousness–led some to wonder whether an unfortunate collateral effect of desegregation would render these historic colleges obsolete. In the new era of desegregation, Black colleges competed with other U.S. colleges, many with far more resources to attract students and faculty. However, “One hears few doubts today that these colleges are useful or that they will survive. Their record of accomplishment is so well established that voices expressing doubts about the continued need for them are rare indeed,” write Drewry and Doermann.
“If we reach a point where a majority in the country can be comfortable about our success in creating integrated society, more non–Black students will attend Black colleges,” Drewry says. Through their history these colleges have had some white students, beginning in their early days with the children of white faculty. Today, the majority of students at some public historically Black colleges–Alabama State and West Virginia State being two examples–are white.
The authors indicate that financial challenges remain for private Black colleges today even though some are sounder than they have been in the past. More money means better equipment and facilities, at a time where the costs of outfitting science labs and acquiring new technology are soaring. This puts the less strong private Black colleges at a disadvantage in attracting faculty and in providing services needed by students. “Additionally,” Drewry says, “we are still adjusting to influences remaining from a time when there were far fewer educational opportunities for Blacks. Because of this, some students require the understanding of and attention to their needs that private Black colleges have provided over the years.” It is hoped that the continued quality leadership and increased financial support can be found to help close this gap.
“The majority of today’s Black professionals, particularly scholars, doctors and lawyers, in their 50’s or older, earned their bachelor’s degrees at private Black colleges. Fisk and Xavier Universities and Morehouse, Spelman and Talladega Colleges are among the names that appear over and over in lists of institutions that sent significant numbers of graduates on to post baccalaureate study.
America’s private Black colleges are essential because, Drewry says, “For some they provide a place where students can develop their skills more thoroughly than in any other.” The globalization of the economy, the new era of information technology, and the challenges of finding continued financial support for private Black colleges create situations that some campuses will deal with better than others. However, these institutions already have an established track record of overcoming obstacles that were even more imposing. Drewry and Doermann write, “In 2020, it is reasonable to assume that, just as in 1896, 1915, 1954 and 1964, the private Black college will be a part of the American landscape.”
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Wednesday, October 3rd 2012 at 12:03PM
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