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Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2743
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 02:43 pm: | 
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Two historically black colleges that have long been open to any student who graduates high school or passes an equivalency test could be changing their admissions policies if their presidents get their way.
George T. French Jr., president of Miles College, in Alabama, has charged a task force with reviewing the institution’s open enrollment policy with the aim of “creating a more stringent, selective admissions process,” according to a statement from French.
...French said in the statement that the college’s “liberal” policy of admissions has served the college well, but that it’s time for a change.
“We are serving a different clientele and in a different arena than the past,” his statement says. “Additionally, serious-minded students should be given the benefit of matriculating with peers who share similar values and are serious about their education. While it is not the college’s goal to exclude, we have a responsibility to our students, faculty and staff to cultivate an atmosphere which is safe, civil and conducive to learning.” (That last reference is, perhaps, explained by the fact that Miles had a recent shooting on its campus.)
...John M. Rudley, president of Texas Southern University, has indicated that he’d also like to see changes to his institution’s open enrollment policy in order to increase its sagging graduation rate, which the department lists at hovering around 12 percent.
“A university shouldn’t have to accept anybody with a GED,” The Houston Chronicle quoted Rudley as saying. “That means they didn’t complete high school but they can come here without the same preparation as others and then be expected to compete.”
That article quoted a Texas Southern professor as saying that many alumni and parents would be unlikely to go along with the change.
Proponents of open enrollment typically argue that the policies are in line with some colleges’ missions of serving the most academically needy students.
The conversation comes at a time when Texas Southern is on a 12-month probation from its accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for failing to comply with standards relating to governance, financial management and other administrative issues...
Full article: http://insidehighered.com/news/2008/02/27/open |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 11775
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 08:47 pm: |
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Along these lines, I was also surprised to hear that in some places in the South, people without degrees can get jobs teaching school if they can pass a test. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 9993
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 02:48 pm: |
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This ain't 1958 when very often even the best Black students were precluded from attending non-Black colleges. And there is no great loyalty and connection between the HBCUs and Black families and communities that there might have been generations ago. Today, MANY of our better Black students are more likely to opt for the wealthier, better resourced and, frankly, more reputable majority-White schools.
Rather than heightening their admission requirements, the HBCUs efforts would be more aptly expended assisting those who currently matriculate into their schools. Otherwise, they had better prepare to suffer some fairly drastic REDUCTIONS in their enrollments. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 11787
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 03:17 pm: |
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Well, Yvette, one of the things that HBUCs had going for them is that they didn't have the exorbitant tuition costs that the reputable white colleges do.
If they are going to try and compete with the prestigious universities, then they are going to have to divest themselves of their main attraction; affordable tuition.
White students are not likely to opt for a black college if the tuition is high. |
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