Should Black Colleges Merge With White Schools?

In the face of crippling financial shortfalls, one Georgia state senator has proposed merging two historically black colleges with two historically white ones:

Faced with a $2 billion budget shortfall, a Republican state senator has proposed merging two historically black schools with predominantly white colleges to save money. In the process, he said, he hopes to erase a vestige of Jim Crow-era segregation.

"I think we should close this ugly chapter in Georgia's history," Seth Harp, chairman of the state Senate's Higher Education Committee, said Tuesday. Jim Crow refers to state and local laws that mandated the separation of blacks and whites.
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Harp's proposal would merge the historically black 3,400-student Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State University, a majority white school. Also, Albany State University, which has about 4,100 enrolled, would combine with nearby Darton College, which also has a predominantly white student body. The new campuses would keep the names of the older and more-established black colleges. SOURCE

But to vocal and determined opponents of Harp's still unfinished proposal, this has little to do with naming rights or dollars and cents:

Critics of the plan say students who might otherwise not attend college are being educated at the black schools. Black students perform better in the black-college setting, experts say, and the dropout rate among African-Americans is lower than at majority white institutions.

The schools also represent a critical piece of the civil rights struggle.

"We can't afford to run away from our history," said Leonard Haynes, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges.

The schools were largely founded before 1964, mostly in the segregated South to teach African-American students. But they are open to people of all races, and experts say the number of white students at the campuses has been on the rise. SOURCE

Although it is unlikely that the Georgia Board of Regents will take up this issue any time in the near future, Harp's proposal has caught the attention of at least one outspoken and prominent black supporter. Cynthia Tucker, who is a Pulitzer prize winning editorial writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, thinks Harp's idea is right on time:

Institutions supported by taxpayers should be diverse, educating men and women of all colors and creeds. There is no longer good reason for public colleges that are all-white or all-black.

(Private colleges and universities, such as Spelman or Agnes Scott or Brigham Young, serve a different role. They cater to students looking for specific environments, whether it's young women drawn by a single-gender school or others drawn by a school's religious affiliation.)

Many black educators continue to insist that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) provide a nurturing environment that some black students desperately need. However, de facto segregation isn't required to give those students remedial studies, small class sizes and attentive teachers, all of which are also available at many diverse two-year colleges. SOURCE

READ MORE - 'Don't Waste the Opportunity to merge black, white colleges' by Cynthia Tucker

What do you think?

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
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Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!