Problem: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) should be bestowed a place of honor for their education and progression of African Americans in this country. For almost a century, HBCUs were the only institutions of higher education that allowed open access to African Americans.
Currently, only about 20% of all African Americans enrolled in college attend an HBCU. In addition, about 22% of the current bachelor’s degrees being awarded to African Americans are awarded from the 103 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Unfortunately, HBCUs have been hit hard by the economic downturn. Faced with decreased enrollment, some schools have had to lay off workers and faculty members (Walker, 2009). A major factor in student enrollment is financial aid. Not proportional to other college students, HBCU students encounter difficulty in securing loans, which negatively impacts enrollment.
In addition to the decline in enrollment, HBCUs are faced with budget shortfalls due to reduction in state, federal and philanthropic funding. Due to such shortfalls, many HBCUs are faced with making decision that greatly effect not only the students, but also the employees of these institutions. Such economic woes have caused many HBCUs to consider merging with one another or with neighboring predominately white institutions, while in some cases just closing the doors altogether—despite the long running history.
Solution: The United Negro College Fund in 2006 initiated the Institute for Capacity Building in order to aid its 39 member schools to face and thwart off some of the financial problems and distractions that were plaguing others HBCUs. As a unique institutional improvement initiative, the UNCF Institute assists colleges and universities in becoming stronger and more self-sustaining in areas which have been noted to make a difference in the effectiveness and efficiency of institutions of higher education, such as: enrollment management, institutional advancement, curriculum and faculty enhancement, fiscal and strategic technical assistance, executive leadership and governance and facilities and infrastructure enhancement (see www.uncf.org).
References:
Walker. D. (2009). Clark Atlanta Cuts Jobs Due to Lower Enrollment.
Retrieved from: http://diverseeducation.com/article/12267/
Fryer, Jr., R.G. and Greenstone, M. 2007. The Causes and Consequences of Attending
Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from: http://www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/fryer/files/fryer-greenstone%20HBCUs.pdf
UNCF Institute for Capacity Building. Retrieved from:
