Op-ed "Should ATL's HBCUs merge into a superschool?"

[#1 pick]

Well in NC, as long as A&T remains the parent school and the namesake, I’m cool with any merger

I’m not for A&T losing its name or history, but I do agree we could possibly merge some schools in the state

Truth is, the state needs to do a better job of supporting these schools.

 

[#1 pick]

We’ve always had a silent competition with Georgia Tech. A lot of black engineers come from Tech, and we want to be #1. Yea, we’ve got something bubbling at A&T. It’s been apparent since my sophomore year there. That’s the year we were threatened with merging with UNC-Greensboro, and I just remember alumni and the students responded with a hell no. It’s been a good situation ever since.

This young man is going into a great environment. I was in the department he’s entering, and they nurtured me and brought out the best. He’s way smarter than me, lol. The engineering department and the Mech Engineering professors will make sure he’s well equipped to do great things once he’s done.

GT is a waste of time for a Black engineer. NCA&T is kicking so much ass right now, they are getting closer to NC State's number of job placements and NC State is a powerful WHITE institution. NC A&T is not playing. I honestly have them at #1 in the Black power rankings and #5 for Blacks altogether.

My list:

1. NC A&T
2. Spelman
3. Fisk
4. Howard
5. Morehouse

For Black altogether

1. Duke - This is the best school for Black students in my opinion as the Melinda Gates scholarship covers damn near everything and almost everyone Black is on it outside of the Africans from the motherland. It's probably the only Ivy(Southern) that has a culture that takes into account their Black student body and it's an elite school so you can go anywhere with it. Obviously Black folks will feel more comfortable at a Black school but for white ones, this is as good as it gets. Duke could do a much better job of job placement for their Black students.

2. Stanford - They don't cater to Blacks much but the hiring practices for Blacks from Stanford are miles better than it is at schools like Harvard and Princeton and it's not close. Maybe because that's due to California but if you are Black, you shouldn't have to know someone who knows someone to get a fukking job. Stanford does a better job than any of the Ivies (West Coast) at this.

3. Princeton - Of the big three, Princeton is probably although not impressively is the most racially open of the big 3 historically speaking. The East Coast Ivies to a terrible job of job placement for their elite Black students compared to the white ones and Princeton is no better but at the end of the day, Princeton just carries so much fukking weight on your resume.

4. Harvard - See Princeton. More prestigious, less racially open although they have been trying to change that of late. These traditional Ivies need to do a better job when it comes to job placement of their non-elite, from decent places Black student body popl.

5. NC A&T - Obviously A&T is not in the top 150 Universities in general but for Blacks, most of these schools don't really fukk with us like that. They use us for photo ops, nothing more, nothing less while some just use a portion of us for sports. A&T has the most aggressive job placement pool of all of the HBCU's and because it's engineering-based, it's really making waves where Morehouse and Spelman want to catch-up which is in the Tech/engineering sector where the money/jobs are. They have really pushed their students to the Mid-Atlantic and Southern region and with the quality of the students being high, the target pool and reach keep growing like weeds. A&T will continue to get super-talented students as placement is KING.

What good is Harvard if you can't get a job afterward and you gotta go to grad school but the whites on the same level or worse as students getting good ass jobs like wtf! Life as a Black person, we aren't meant to be at these white schools. We are just a diversity mark no matter are accomplishments.

 

[#1 pick]

Ha, watching this on amazon now had me find this thread. I’ve been shyt on from SOHH to the coli for years for talking about how HBCU’s need to merge, people have taken it as anti-HBCU. But the reality is between poor finances, not putting out a competitive product which leads to little ROI for many of its grads, poor or lagging facilities, and an inability to compete for top black students - both due to access to more mainstream institutions as well as not being able to offer competitive financial packages, it’s time to consider a new path forward for these institutions. Consolidation should have been considered starting in the 90’s, but heading into the 20’s...it’s a red alert.

Having said all that, Spelman is not one that should be folded in, Spelman, Howard, Fisk, Hampton, Xavier, and Morehouse are school banners that should remain. If Clark were united with Morehouse to create a more competitive, financially prudent university, I’m sorry, but it should keep the Morehouse name.

People don't want to be honest but Spelman got a much better talent pool than Morehouse. I remember Spelman was in my sister's top 3 before she chose one of the Ivies. They really have a lot to offer. I think a lot of the successful Morehouse men of the old forgot about those behind them till recently. One thing I was impressed within DC was how good Howard alums were to the Univ. I was very impressed. It reminded me of Spelman grads.

 

[get these nets]

Couple donates $10 million to Spelman College

August 18, 2020
Spelman College’s summer of significant financial contributions continued Monday when officials announced a couple has donated $10 million to the Atlanta college dedicated to educating Black women.

The gift came from Seth and Beth Klarman and will be used for scholarships with an emphasis on helping students overcome the financial barriers that may prevent them from graduating, Spelman said in a statement. Seth Klarman is a hedge fund investor whose net worth is estimated at $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. The couple has a foundation that has donated to various organizations in the Boston area, to groups supporting the Jewish community and Israel and efforts to address various health issues.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have traditionally had trouble getting major donations from philanthropic organizations. Spelman, though, has fared better than most HBCUs on the donor front. Its six-year graduation rate, 75% according to federal data, is the highest among any HBCU.

Here are some other recent major donations in recent months to Spelman:

• A $40 million contribution in June from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife, philanthropist Patty Quillin. The money will go to student scholarships.
• The college received a $20 million donation in July from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, which it said it will use for various purposes such as technological infrastructure, developing new sources of revenue and improving academic facilities

 

[get these nets]

Morehouse College Receives $9 Million Grant to Study STEM Success at HBCUs
August 20, 2020
As part of the establishment of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Undergraduate Success Research Center, the National Science Foundation (NSF) donated $9 million to Morehouse College.

The center, also referred to as STEM-US, will focus on “increasing educational and employment opportunities within the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field for minority students.” STEM initiatives at 50 HBCUs will be analyzed by professors and a model will be produced for other institutions to graduate more minority STEM majors. Additionally, the reasoning behind STEM success at HBCUs will be studied, according to officials at Morehouse.

The grant will also be shared with Spelman College and Virginia State University.

Morehouse is the top producer of Black men in the nation who go on to receive doctorate degrees in the STEM field. Additionally, one-third of all Black students who have hold doctoratals graduated with bachelor’s degrees from HBCUs, the college reported.

“Investing in the institutional capacity of HBCUs and developing diverse STEM talent is part of NSF’s longstanding commitment to broaden participation of groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM,” said Dr. Claudia Rankins, program officer in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at NSF, in a statement. “The knowledge generated by this center will detail what practices make HBCUs successful in educating Black students in STEM, and the center will place HBCUs at the forefront of STEM education reform.”

 

[get these nets]

Black medical schools receive $100M gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies
The historic donation will help ensure future doctors can continue their careers and serve communities in need
September 3, 2020

Getty Images
Only 5% of the medical doctors in the United States are Black, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, but that is likely to change.

On Thursday, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced it is infusing four medical schools at Historically Black Colleges and Universities with a gift of $100 million, which will provide financial aid to more than 50% of the nearly 800 students currently enrolled there.

For the four medical schools – Meharry Medical College, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science – it is the largest donation ever received. It is one that not only serves to mitigate potential hardships for students but also provide them opportunities to continue their education and eventually serve those in need.


“COVID-19 has been especially devastating for the Black community, and the scarcity of Black doctors practicing in Black communities is one reason for it,” said Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and the former mayor of New York City. “The burden of student debt and lack of financial aid means that the shortage of Black doctors could get even worse. More Black doctors will mean more Black lives saved and fewer health problems that limit economic opportunity.

Individual scholarships could be as much as $100,000, or $25,000 for each year through 2024. The key for those students currently burdened with debt but are graduating in the next two years is that the aid can be retroactive, giving them more financial mobility in the future. Each of the four colleges will determine eligibility and whether grants can be utilized for tuition and fees. The donation also includes wrap-around services such as financial counseling for students.

 

[get these nets]

IBM Establishes First Quantum Education and Research Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Quantum Center part of broader HBCU investment, including additional $100M in Skills Academy technology, assets, resources and skills development

Sep 17, 2020


ARMONK, N.Y., -- Today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) is announcing its first IBM Quantum education and research initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), aimed at driving a diverse and inclusive quantum workforce. Led by Howard University and 12 additional HBCUs, the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center will offer access to its quantum computers, as well as collaboration on academic, education, and community outreach programs.

In addition, as part of the company's continued efforts around diversity and inclusion, IBM will make a $100M investment in technology, assets, resources and skills development through partnerships with additional HBCUs through the IBM Skills Academy Academic Initiative.


Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Quantum Computing

The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center is a multi-year investment designed to prepare and develop talent at HBCUs from all STEM disciplines for the quantum future. It will emphasize the power of community and focus on developing students through support and funding for research opportunities, curriculum development, workforce advocacy, and special projects.


The 13 HBCUs intending to participate in the Quantum Center were prioritized based on their research and education focus in physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and other STEM fields. They include: Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Coppin State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Southern University, Texas Southern University, University of the Virgin Islands, Virginia Union University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.



As part of the Skills Academy Academic Initiative in Global University Programs, a multi-year program, IBM is donating more than $100M in assets, including university guests lectures, curriculum content, digital badges, software and faculty training to select HBCUs by the end of 2020. The IBM Skills Academy is a comprehensive, integrated program designed to create a foundation of diverse and high demand skill sets that directly correlate to what students will need in the workplace. The learning tracks address topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, design thinking and quantum computing.

The HBCUs who are part of the Skills Academy Academic Initiative include: Clark Atlanta University, Fayetteville State University, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Southern University System, Stillman College, Virginia State and West Virginia State University.



@xoxodede and @BigAggieLean. are double dipping here

 

[GoAggieGo.]

Glad to see A&T included.

 

[get these nets]

LaSalle launches $500,000 program to award real estate scholarships for black and latinx minorities
September 18, 2020

LaSalle Investment Management announced the establishment of the LaSalle Real Estate Scholarship for Black and Latino/a Minorities. The scholarship program establishes a five-year, $100,000 per year commitment to provide rising black and latino/a college sophomores the opportunity to receive $10,000 toward their education.

“It is our strong belief that racial and all other forms of diversity at all levels of our organization, and in society at large, will lead to a better future,” said Jason Kern, LaSalle chief executive officer of the Americas. “As a whole, the real estate and financial services industry has lagged its peers, but at LaSalle we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of positive, meaningful change in the diverse makeup of our industry.”

It will also include programmatic mentorship meetings with LaSalle executives designed to educate the scholarship recipient on careers in real estate investment management and the real estate industry in general. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide the recipients with the opportunity to apply for an internship at LaSalle, and with the express objective of being well-prepared to seek opportunities for full-time employment in the real estate sector upon graduation.

LaSalle is initially partnering with four academic institutions, including some of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the U.S.: Roosevelt University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Florida A&M University. LaSalle plans to expand its partnerships with HBCUs and other academic institutions in the years ahead.

“Providing black and latinx students the opportunity to gain exposure to real estate and financial services professions at a young age is critical to expanding their career opportunities,” said Alfreda Delle, deputy portfolio manager of LaSalle Property Fund. “These professions have historically not been seen as accessible to these populations, and with this scholarship, we’re putting the institutional strength and resources of LaSalle behind an effort to change that.”

Students who receive the scholarship will have a minimum 3.0 GPA and will be required to attend four quarterly meetings, either virtually or in-person, including an investment committee meeting and a quarterly townhall. Additionally, each student will be matched with a senior leader of the firm, who will provide mentorship and help guide them through an introduction to the real estate profession.

 

[get these nets]

Morgan Stanley is covering the tuition for 60 students at three historically Black colleges
The scholarships will cover the entire cost of attending the institution for each year and will be open to students in all disciplines and majors.


Oct. 21, 2020

Story at a glance

• Morgan Stanley’s HBCU Scholars program offers scholarships to students at Howard University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.
• The first year class size starts with 15 scholars and a new class will be added each year.
• The bank has committed up to $12 million to fund the program.

Morgan Stanley will pay the tuition for 60 students at three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) over the next four years, the latest attempt by a large U.S. corporation to address racial inequality.

Morgan Stanley on Wednesday announced the launch of its HBCU Scholars program that will offer full academic and needs-based four-year scholarships to students at Howard University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.
The scholarships will cover the entire cost of attending the institution for each year and will be open to students in all disciplines and majors.

The first year class size starts with 15 scholars and a new class will be added each year. Morgan Stanley has committed up to $12 million to fund the program.

“To close the racial wealth gap, we know that Black academic and economic advancement is essential. Racial inequity around access to and affordability of higher education can impact Black students ability to grow generational wealth,” Susan Reid, Morgan Stanley’s Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, said in a statement Wednesday.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to lead the way in leveling the playing field while creating an environment for students of color to thrive. We are proud to support them and their students and we look forward to this deeper journey with Spelman, Morehouse and Howard.”

The move by the bank comes amid a broader push for diversity and inclusion among prominent U.S. businesses following the police killing of George Floyd in May. Floyd’s death sparked widespread protests and demands for racial equality.

Spoiler: rest of article

Last week, hundreds of executives from the largest companies in the U.S., including from Morgan Stanley, released a report detailing a series of new corporate initiatives and policy recommendations aimed at addressing systemic racism in employment, finance, education, health, housing and the justice system.

The plan from Business Rountable — an association of more than 200 CEOS that includes JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon, Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos and Walmart’s Doug McMillon — includes initiatives to expand collaboration between corporations and historically Black colleges and universities, to support Black-owned businesses and to ensure Black Americans have better access to high-quality jobs by helping to alleviate student debt.

The group is also advocating for publicly disclosing diversity metrics and has committed to establish pay equity at their businesses.

 

[get these nets]

 

[staticshock]

I know a lot of CAU grads..they’ll all be thrilled about this. 15 M’s goes a long way at a small school like Clark

 

[Professor Emeritus]

I've always wondered if they could consolidate the back office stuff like IT, accounting, and especially financial aid to weed out inefficiency, fraud, theft, etc. Some of those departments are too cozy and recent issues at many universities highlight this needs reform. Also, a common application would be cool but they have that. I applied 20+ years ago.

I was thinking something like this this too. Merge together certain administrative roles to prioritize the best talent and weed out inefficiency, but maintain the three separate campuses as separate schools. Sort of like a big university where the "school of engineering" "school of nursing" etc. is each a different campus.

Do they already allow students at one school to attend courses at the others? Places like Harvard/MIT and the Claremont Colleges already do that, it would be a good idea as well to give students at all four campuses the most opportunity possible.

 

[staticshock]

I was thinking something like this this too. Merge together certain administrative roles to prioritize the best talent and weed out inefficiency, but maintain the three separate campuses as separate schools. Sort of like a big university where the "school of engineering" "school of nursing" etc. is each a different campus.

Do they already allow students at one school to attend courses at the others? Places like Harvard/MIT and the Claremont Colleges already do that, it would be a good idea as well to give students at all four campuses the most opportunity possible.

most HBCUS in Georgia have an agreement with Georgia Tech to where students take their core, math & science classes at their campus for two years, then they take engineering classes at Tech for the last two years, & they receive degrees from both schools.

Students at Clark, Morehouse & Spelman can take classes at all of the AUC schools as long as they are approved


Cross Registration | Atlanta University Center Consortium

 

[DrBanneker]

most HBCUS in Georgia have an agreement with Georgia Tech to where students take their core, math & science classes at their campus for two years, then they take engineering classes at Tech for the last two years, & they receive degrees from both schools.

Students at Clark, Morehouse & Spelman can take classes at all of the AUC schools as long as they are approved


Cross Registration | Atlanta University Center Consortium

Yep, I was just about to say this.