deltaspr99,
If you are referring to the e-mail that has been floating around for awhile that specifically points the finger at Texas and Gov. George W. Bush, most of the 'facts' of that e-mail were disputed in an article in a Croniciles (spe) of Black Higher Education (I think that is the name of the mag--someone else may be able to help me). Regardless, you are right in that our HBCUs need our help. Some ways to do it:
1. The biggest help these schools need is MONEY!! Donate, donate, donate! If you work for a major corporatation, most of them have matching gifts. My employer does not, so I do all of my donations to my alma mater (Spelman in the house!!) through my husband's company. For every dollar I donate they donate a dollar too.
2. Get your company's foundation to donate money to the HBCUs or to encourage them to give to the college/university. Be careful what you ask for though. Some people will ask for $10,000 when the company could (and would) give $100,000 (or more). Do your homework first to find out what they have given other schools, etc., call the school's Instituational Advancement office for help also.
3. Recruit for the school. Our best and brightest should see HBCUs as a viable option. Go to local HS and let them know about the HBCU experience. And please, share more than how live homecoming is, please! We are so much more than a good place to party!
4. Volunteer to share your work experiences with current students. Help students (formally or informally) write their resume, and practice interviewing skills. Let them know what to expect once they get the job (office politices, etc.)
5. See HBCUs as an option for your career also. They need talent, committed, customer service oriented (can I get an AMEN from an ABCU alum?!?!) folks to work there and make sure that the schools remain fiscally solvent.
ADDED:
6. No money now? See planned giving as an option. By planned giving I mean a small (or large) life insurance policy with the college/university as the beneficiary.
[This message has been edited by Eclipse (edited June 29, 2000).]
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