Stereotyping HBCU's

[Wonderful1908]

Originally Posted by DSTMystique

Well, I went to Grambling for undergrad (in the late 80's) and when I got down there (all the way from Michigan), I was so excited to be associated with an HBCU with so much history. My excitement wore off real soon once I saw how money was being mismanaged and how nepotism ran rampant in the administration. Don't get me wrong, I am all for hooking people up, but they need to at least be QUALIFIED for the job.

At Grambling, our President left under strange circumstances and then that started a "revolving door" of Presidents for the next 15 years. Then we all heard about the accredidation fiasco, and Gramblinites know about the "buy a brick" scam leading up to our Centennial.....

Although I love "Dear Ole' Grambling", I look at it totally different now. I went back to homecoming recently and didn't recognize the campus or the atomosphere.

I went to Michigan State for grad school and while the social scene wasn't on and popping, a lot of things were handled differently. I registered in 5 minutes, over the phone. I had housing, I had my stipend/fellowship ready for me when I got there, and on and on and on. But strangely enough, even though I lived in Detroit after I graduated (1 hour away from MSU), I NEVER went to homecoming, but I would go all the way back to Louisiana for Grambling's homecoming or the Bayou Classic. I guess that speaks to the impact that HBCU's have on our lives.

I agree I loved Southern despite the foolishness, but I also think I could tolerate it at 20 years old. I am almost 30 and I can't deal with that now. I graduate from PVAMU this fall and don't think I will want much to do with the school after I finish which is so sad. HBCU's produce some our brightest and most successful people, but if they want to keep them and bring prestige and class to their schools they are going to have to step up their game!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Wonderful1908

I agree I loved Southern despite the foolishness, but I also think I could tolerate it at 20 years old. I am almost 30 and I can't deal with that now. I graduate from PVAMU this fall and don't think I will want much to do with the school after I finish which is so sad. HBCU's produce some our brightest and most successful people, but if they want to keep them and bring prestige and class to their schools they are going to have to step up their game!

Well Soror, the trick is that you actually get a graduate degree, presumably a Doctorate+ at a PWI, then you are s'pose to come back!!!

Spelman has asked be a twice to come back.

My husband has been asked several times to come back.

Neither one of us want to live in Atlanta anymore. Nothing against the ATL, just don't want to live there anymore.

[Wonderful1908]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Well Soror, the trick is that you actually get a graduate degree, presumably a Doctorate+ at a PWI, then you are s'pose to come back!!!

Spelman has asked be a twice to come back.

My husband has been asked several times to come back.

Neither one of us want to live in Atlanta anymore. Nothing against the ATL, just don't want to live there anymore.

You know it shouldn't have to be like that! There wa a time I couldn't even go to a PWI in Houston, HBCU's should want to produce more doctors!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by Wonderful1908

You know it shouldn't have to be like that! There wa a time I couldn't even go to a PWI in Houston, HBCU's should want to produce more doctors!

You are right... But with Affirmative Action, the other schools could dance circles and outcompete us versus when we were segregated. That's a whole 'nother conversation.

The best most HBCU's can hope for is being filters for the larger schools they partner with in the city...

Unless you are Bethune-Cookman that can take an immediate lock on the area. The nearest larger university in it's class is maybe Orlando... But you have University of Florida, Florida State and few smaller schools dotted. University of South Florida and Miami University. Jacksonville, too. And you will be competing against FAMU for dollars. To me, the president of Bethune-Cookman made a very strong strategic alliance making the school a Master's bearing university in Florida. I think it is great and very wise. Not to be biased, but the president before her did not have the foresight. Believe me, I KNOW!