In 2019, the four-year graduation rate of all University of California (UC) undergraduates was 72.9 percent, while that of black UC students lagged behind at 59.9 percent. This disparity was … Continue reading “California’s “Black-Serving Institution” Designation Is Neither Excellent Nor Fair”
The study of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations through their languages, literature, and history— the study of Classics—is part of the bedrock of a rigorous university education. While some … Continue reading “Did You Know? Classics Departments and Programs Are Disappearing”
Student loan debt has received more attention lately, but one aspect has been left out of the debate: parents taking on loans for their children. While undergraduate students generally can … Continue reading “To Fight Student Loan Debt, North Carolina Schools Need to Stop Pushing Parent PLUS Loans”
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were founded to serve African American students whom white colleges would not admit. The University of North Carolina wouldn’t admit black undergraduates until 1955. … Continue reading “Did You Know? HBCU Enrollments Fall 11% in Last Decade”
When students take federal loans to pay for college, the government declares them to be in default if a student doesn’t make a payment for 9 months. According to the … Continue reading “Did You Know? The North Carolina Colleges with High Student Default Rates”
Earlier this month, the Triangle Business Journal revealed that graduates from North Carolina’s Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) are lagging their peers in terms of median salary after graduation. … Continue reading “Closing the Gap at North Carolina’s Historically Black Universities”
Two years ago I attended a student debate at North Carolina Central University, one of the state’s five public historically black colleges and universities. It was fascinating, especially given the self-examination raised by its topic, “HBCUs: Can They Survive?” The moderator asked several incisive questions: Would the closure of HBCUs materially impair black students’ access to higher education? Would closing some HBCUs make the remaining ones stronger? Would the civil rights leaders of the 1950s and 1960s support an enduring HBCU presence today? As I reported at the time, the students eloquently argued both “pro” and “con” positions and deeply engaged with the relevant facts and issues. If only more of today’s political and higher education leaders did the same.
North Carolina’s higher education market is, for the most part, vibrant. The state is home to more than 50 four-year universities as well as 60 community colleges. And online education, certificate programs, and non-traditional job training initiatives have given prospective students even more options. Nevertheless, some institutions are experiencing significant financial woes. Unaddressed, such problems could result in campus closings or, worse, perpetual taxpayer bailouts of ineptly-managed universities.
An event at NC Central posed tough questions about the viability of historically black universities.
Despite declining enrollments, HBCUs produce many of nation’s black scientists.