Does that mean that if you try to apply for a job with a degree from Howard and they temporarily become unaccredited, your degree is meaningless
No, I wouldn't say meaningless. I think it means that it doesn't meet certain standards from the educational authority. or if you try to get a job where need to get a license or a public service type job; the employer may expect you to take extra courses or may consider another candidate that has more qualifications as far as that goes. Degree wouldn't be worthless though. But, imo, schools like Howard and Hampton have too much historical significance and reputation, so I don't think that would be much of an issue; Morgan State (part of the Univ of Md system), so that's a factor too, not like it's some school with 200 students and 6 part time teachers, setting up some pop up shop near a mall in Podunk, Alabama or Louisiana somewhere.