Throughout their shared history, the athletic departments of Division I’s historically black colleges and universities, many of which compete in the SWAC and MEAC, have always faced concerns regarding financial difficulties and underfunding.
In some sense, this is nothing new.
“We’ve had to deal with a copious amount of revenue struggles for over a century. At some places, for over a century and a half,” MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas told The Athletic last week.
“We’ve been able to survive when most people didn’t think we would. And in most cases, not only have we survived, we’ve thrived. We are used to difficult times…”
But, Thomas said after a long pause, “… nothing like this now.”
HBCU athletic departments already live in a harsh reality, but that outlook is even bleaker as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to stress their institutions beyond the breaking point. Read the full story.
The Maryland congressional delegation announced Tuesday that more than $46 million in additional funding is being released to mostly historically black colleges and universities to help relieve the financial strain that the coronavirus left on institutions.
The delegation, which included U.S. Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, said $44 million will go to HBCUs. The remaining $2 million will be awarded to minority-serving institutions and colleges serving large populations of low-income students. Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone also helped with the funding.
The additional aid will supplement the previous $170 million many of these universities and colleges received, the delegation said in a news release.
Morgan State University is receiving over $19 million and Bowie State University nearly $13 million. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin State University are also receiving about $8 million and $4 million, respectively.
Nine community colleges are receiving a little over $1 million, and there is about $600,000 for public and private nonprofit schools. Read the entire story.
Like father, like son! Aris Brown will continue in his legendary father’s footsteps, being an athlete at the collegiate level.
The son of Jim Brown, perhaps the best running back in NFL history, recently announced he will play lacrosse for Hampton University.
Midfielder Aris Brown, 18, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound four-year starter for Sierra Canyon High in the Los Angeles area, said on Instagram, “I’d like to thank God, my family, friends, and coaches for helping me through the way.” Sierra Canyon is the school where the sons of NBA greats LeBron James and Dwyane Wade play basketball.
On the Instagram Post, Brown was wearing a mask while signing his papers for HU. He’s the 15th player in Hampton’s 2020 class, according to lacrossebucket.com.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tQOtIpfE3/
“I really liked the school as a whole, and wanted to play competitive lacrosse with kids that look like me and make some history,” Brown told Lacrosse Bucket.
Jim Brown, who starred in lacrosse and football for Syracuse before a record-setting career from 1957-65 with the Cleveland Browns, is in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jim Brown has been quoted through the years as saying he thought lacrosse was his best sport, though in 2002, The Sporting News named him the greatest pro football player in history. Read the full story.
RALEIGH, NC — Saint Augustine’s University School of Business, Management, and Technology (SBMT) has announced the formation of the first HBCU cycling team in the country via the Department of Sport Management. This team is a club sport within the SBMT. The team has recently been approved and registered by USA Cycling to compete in the collegiate club Atlantic division against dozens of other schools in the Southeast.
The team, which has been in the works since the summer of 2019, will be coached by professors Umar Muhammad and Dr. Mark Janas, both of whom teach sport management courses within the business school at Saint Augustine’s University. The team will begin competition as early as Fall 2020.
“We’re excited to be the first HBCU to formally have a collegiate cycling team,” says Muhammad who continues, “What many may not realize is that while cycling might be new to most HBCU’s, African Americans have made huge contributions to the sport of cycling. In fact, cycling’s first superstar, and arguably sport’s first international superstar, was a black athlete named Major Taylor. This team plans to pay homage to Taylor, as well as make its own mark on the sport.”
The team plans to start with a roster of approximately ten student-athletes, several of whom compete in other collegiate sports.
Dr. Janas adds, “We have the opportunity with this team to be part of several ‘firsts.’ In addition to launching the first HBCU cycling team, the virtual cycling events planned for the Fall will segue nicely into the new sports IT and esports management content offered in the business school.”
This is not just the beginning of a club sport but also a precursor to e-sport courses within the Department of Sport Management.
For more information about the Saint Augustine’s University cycling team, please contact Umar Muhammad at utmuhammad@st-aug.edu or mjanas@st-aug.edu. This article was originally published to the SAU Newsroom.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that nearly $1.4 billion in additional funding will be directed to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), as well as institutions serving low-income students to help ensure learning continues during the coronavirus national emergency. This funding is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump less than five weeks ago.
“This Administration is committed to the success of HBCUs, Minority Serving Institutions, and the students they serve. Each institution is unique and is an important part of this country’s educational fabric,” said Secretary DeVos. “By providing additional support to these important institutions, we can help ensure they emerge from this crisis stronger than before. I encourage these institutions, like all others, to use these funds to provide emergency grants to students during this challenging time, and to expand remote learning programs and build IT capacity. These are challenging times, but if we take this opportunity to transform higher education to meet the demands of the 21st century, our nation’s students and higher education as a whole will be better for it.”
Institutions may use this funding to cover the cost of technology associated with a transition to distance education, grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students, and faculty and staff trainings. Additionally, funds may be used to cover operational costs, such as lost revenue, reimbursements for prior expenses, and payroll.
These additional funding allocations to MSIs, including HBCUs and TCCUs, and institutions eligible for the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) represent 7.5 percent of overall HEER funds, or around $1 billion. This funding is provided on top of the primary HEER Fund allocation announced earlier in April. HBCUs, for example, will collectively receive an additional $577 million through the awards announced today. That amount is on top of the $353 million amount that the Department allocated to HBCUs through the HEER Fund earlier in the month. TCCUs will receive over $50 million in this round of HEER funding, bringing the total allocation to TCCUs under the fund to $65 million.
The HEER Fund also sets aside 2.5 percent of the HEER Fund ($349 million) to address the greatest unmet needs related to the coronavirus, giving priority to schools that have not been allocated at least $500,000 from the fund. The Department is deploying these funds to ensure that every eligible public and private nonprofit institution will receive at least $500,000 in CARES Act relief funding.
In order to access these funds, eligible institutions must sign a Certification and Agreement certifying that they will use their allocations in accordance with the CARES Act and all other applicable federal law. Schools have until Aug. 1, 2020, to apply for the funds. The Certification and Agreement, a cover letter, and the HEER Fund allocation tables by institution are available on the Office of Postsecondary Education’s CARES Act website.
The Department has taken quick action to support higher education students from the start of the coronavirus outbreak. Colleges and universities were given immediate regulatory flexibility so students’ educations could continue online. Under the leadership of President Trump, the Department also provided student loan relief to tens of millions of borrowers by setting all federally held student loan interest rates to zero percent and allowing borrowers to defer payments for 60 days without interest. The CARES Act extends those benefits to six months. The Department also stopped all federal wage garnishments and collections actions for borrowers with federally held loans in default. Additionally, the Department made $6.2 billion available for emergency cash grants for higher education students, followed by $6.2 billion allocated to higher education institutions to ensure learning continues. The Department also disbursed $7 million to Gallaudet University and $13 million to Howard University in accordance with the CARES Act, which allocated this funding to help these unique institutions address the challenges associated with the coronavirus.
The Department continues to update www.ed.gov/coronavirus with information on COVID-19 for students, parents, educators and local leaders.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the following websites: coronavirus.gov, <a href="https://cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlcdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, and usa.gov/coronavirus.
Clark Atlanta University alumna Valeisha Butterfield Jones is appointed the first Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at The Recording Academy among the recommendations of the organization’s Task Force for Diversity and Inclusion. According to the announcement, she will join the executive leadership team responsible for advancing the Recording Academy’s mission and ensuring that diversity and inclusion are core to business values and standards, and demonstrated throughout the organization.
“We are thrilled to welcome Valeisha Butterfield Jones into the Recording Academy family,” said Mason. “Valeisha has been a force in driving systemic change and enhancing equal opportunities for underrepresented groups across entertainment, technology and politics. I’m excited to work with her to continue evolving the Recording Academy as an organization that represents our music community and a place where all voices are welcomed, supported and nurtured. We are so fortunate to have Valeisha’s leadership in this crucial area.”
Most recently, Butterfield Jones served as the global head of inclusion for Google, Inc. responsible for accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes for underrepresented communities internally and externally across the global brand. Prior to joining Google, she served as the national youth vote director for the Obama for America campaign, deputy director of public affairs for international trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Obama Administration, executive director at Rush Communications (encompassing the Russell Simmons-founded businesses Def Jam Enterprises, Baby Phat, Phat Farm and Hip-Hop Summit Action Network) and as the national director of diversity and inclusion for the Alzheimer’s Association. She began her career at HBO Sports.
While the timing of the announcement, which comes in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, seems unusual, the Task Force’s recommendations called for the role to be filled by May 1, 2020. The Task Force, which was founded in the wake of former Academy chief Neil Portnow’s controversial 2018 comment that female musicians and executives need to “step up” in order to advance in the music industry, submitted its recommendations in December.
“It’s imperative that the music industry continue to make strides toward a more equitable and inclusive industry, and I am pleased to see the Recording Academy take this important step toward change within its own walls today by appointing Valeisha Butterfield Jones as its first-ever Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer,” said Tina Tchen, chair of the Task Force and president and CEO of Time’s Up. “Creating this executive-level position was a principal recommendation of our Task Force because it is one significant way the Academy can demonstrate that issues of diversity are mission-critical and will be prioritized in the future.”
Butterfield Jones said, “The Recording Academy has an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that diversity and inclusion is embedded in its core values. I’m deeply honored to join the Academy as we enter a new chapter of transformational growth, leadership and change. During this unprecedented time in world history, together we will double-down on our focus to drive systemic change and equitable outcomes for underrepresented communities and creators.”
Butterfield Jones also co-founded the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) in 2007, a nonprofit coalition of women and men committed to the balanced, positive portrayal of women in the entertainment industry. She also serves on the National Board of Directors of ColorComm, MC Lyte’s Hip Hop Sisters Network and iVote.
Jason K. Panda, the owner of b condoms, saw a need to help people in his community improve their sexual health. So, after nine years of practicing law, the Morehouse College graduate decided to create b condoms, the only Black-owned condom company in the United States.
Panda, who is originally Brockton, Massachusetts, recently shared his thoughts about going into the business of safe sex.
Why did you decide to get into the condom business?
Sometimes you find yourself at a point in your career where you’re just not happy. Growing up, my mother used to run a detox and transitional care facility for drug addicts. I always wanted to be independent and create some type of company that also works within our community. So, while I was practicing law, one of the things that I would hear about a lot of times is the impact of HIV and AIDS and teenage pregnancy. Then I thought, as a Black people, why don’t we actually own our own condoms company? Why don’t we have our own seat at the table? Why are we not writing our own stories and having our own voice in dictating our own future?’
We own music, we own liquor and we may own the club. People are having sex, but we don’t own any condom brands. So, it hit me: why not create a condom brand? If you look at all of the top condom brands, they don’t hire Black people. That was another element that had to change. Read the entire article shared by Rolling Out.
Gaming providing unprecedented career opportunities for today’s youngsters
Those of us who grew up in the latter years of the 20th century probably remember cutting remarks from parents that sitting around playing video games would never earn us a living. Fast forward to 2020, and that’s no longer necessarily the case. One thing the past month or so has taught us is that gaming in general, and eSport in particular has enormous appeal.
The industry has seen a significant spike over recent weeks, especially since pro sports stars have started to go online and take part in virtual soccer, motor racing and even boxing matches. It’s a trend that was already evident before the current circumstances, and gaming will continue to thrive when the world returns to normal. In the leisure sector, popularity leads to profitability, and there are more career options in the world of gaming than you might think.
Consigning the tennis club mentality to history
When you look back at the history of other sports, social and racial divides are plain for all to see. Sports like tennis and golf were more elitist than the likes of basketball or boxing. Even today, you’ll see more kids from lower income African families throwing some hoops than practicing their backhand.
Thank goodness we live in more progressive times and there are no such divides in eSport. Or are there? Last year, Ryan Johnson founded Cxmmunity, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youngsters from minority groups to access eSport. Johnson explained that exactly that “tennis club” phenomenon was becoming plain to see in eSport. While the discipline was blossoming and presenting a world of opportunities, youths from minorities were “absent from the discussion.”
He said that the organization is about more than just playing games. He explained that there are “multidisciplinary career paths” within eSport. Arguably, there are even more than in conventional sport due to the many technological processes and areas of expertise that are involved in bringing an eSport game to market.
There’s more to gaming than eSport
Once you think of it that way, you can rapidly find yourself disappearing down the rabbit hole. Those multidisciplinary paths split and multiply even further when you consider that eSport is only a small subset of the overall gaming industry.
To look at just one other example, let’s consider igaming. It’s another genre within the broader gaming landscape that has seen a dramatic increase in interest and participation over recent weeks since most physical casinos have been temporarily closed. The industry is dominated by a handful of software providers making table and slot games, while the platforms themselves must provide cutting edge user experience to attract customers in a massively competitive environment.
A world of opportunity
The net result is a world of opportunity for talented developers, designers, programmers and those with a flair for digital marketing and SEO. That competitive environment means there’s a willingness to push the envelope in search of an edge, so there’s also significant interest in areas like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
Both developers and casino brands themselves are beginning to offer internships to attract young, enthusiastic talent straight from college. It’s a great way into the industry, and once you have your foot in the door, there’s no telling where those “multidisciplinary career paths” could take you.
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Maryland’s private and public colleges and universities will get $170 million in federal funding to help in their responses to the coronavirus, the state’s congressional delegation said Monday.
Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) (Julio Cortez/AP)
Around half of the money each school gets will go toward providing direct assistance to students facing emergency expenses due to the pandemic, while the rest will be useable under the discretion of the Department of Education.
The list of allocations for Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities are as follows:
College Name
Total Allocation
Amount Dedicated
Bowie State University
$6,596,246
$3,298,123
Coppin State University
$2,727,906
$1,363,953
University of MD, Eastern Shore
$3,542,365
$1,771,183
Morgan State University
$9,263,562
$4,631,796
Towson University will receive $17.3 million, while the University of Maryland Baltimore County and Morgan State University will each get around $9.3 million.
The money is part of the massive $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package known as the CARES Act that also includes nearly $350 billion for small businesses. This article was originally shared by WJZ.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — The CDC reports that African-American communities are being “disproportionately affected” by the coronavirus.
A professor at Florida A&M University’s Institute of Public Health are monitoring the trend closely.
As African-Americans are seeing a higher rate of hospitalizations and deaths, the factors such as geography, socioeconomics, and personal health are making the disease very dangerous for people of color.
“From New York to Philadelphia to Chicago to Milwaukee, Louisiana and certainly here in Florida, particularly in South Florida, we are seeing similar trends,” said FAMU professor of Public Health, Dr. C. Perry Brown.
Dr. Brown is shedding light on why the coronavirus is disproportionately affecting African-American communities.
“Diabetes or perhaps hypertension and both diabetes and hypertension are more prevalent in the African American community,” said Brown.
He adds that differences in diets and other personal habits like smoking could put African-Americans more at risk. Read the full article.
There was certainly some buzz with Winston-Salem State’s men’s basketball team in terms of the recruits its landed for this coming season.
But that same kind of buzz has transferred over to the WSSU women’s basketball program and Coach L’Tona Lamonte.
Three high-school players – Tyliah Burns, Kennedi Simmons and Taniah Wilkins – signed with the Rams back in November.
What bodes well for Lamonte and the Rams is that Burns and Simmons were each named player of the years for their local newspapers. Burns was recently named the South Carolina Player of the Year by the Augusta Chronicle and Simmons was earlier named the player of the year by the Greensboro News & Record.
“The interesting thing is that Tania was named the Spartanburg (S.C.) newspaper’s player of the year last season as a junior,” Lamonte said about her three high-school signees.
Burns, a 5-foot-7 guard from North Augusta High School in North Augusta, South Carolina, averaged 15.8 points and five rebounds per game and was an All-State selection. Read the entire article.
Tom Lang, an alumnus of the aquaculture/fisheries master’s program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), discovered his career path when he was in high school thanks to a serendipitous moment on the job at a barbeque restaurant in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Trusting his instincts and planning his education accordingly would lead him to his current role as outreach director of the Inland Fisheries Division for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC).
“Like many fisheries scientists, I fell in love with fishing early in life, but didn’t know that our field existed,” he said. “Then it clicked as I was stocking the freezer with boxes of U.S. farm-raised catfish. After several trips to the freezer, during which I read the labels on each box, the lightbulb went on – I realized there must be something in this world called a ‘catfish farm.’”
When his shift ended, Lang headed home with visions of catfish ponds as far as the eye could see. The next day, he asked his high school guidance counselor about how to become a catfish farmer. That discussion led him to Purdue University, where he earned a degree in fisheries and aquatic sciences.
In his current role, Lang is responsible for all operations and management of the TFFC and oversees the public outreach and education initiatives of the Inland Fisheries Division. The center’s work is focused on expanding the awareness, understanding and support of fisheries conservation, he said.
“We boost support for fish and fishing through numerous educational exhibits at the facility, including 300,000 gallons of aquaria where folks can see awesome Texas fish firsthand,” he said. “Other exhibits teach visitors about the fisheries management and aquaculture techniques our scientists utilize to make for better fishing in Texas. At TFFC, we also have an aquatic plant nursery for restoring habitat in public waters, as well as a wetland trail and recreational fishing ponds open to the public.”
Lang said a big part of the center’s mission is to take more people fishing.
“We provide the right atmosphere and opportunities for people to learn how to fish,” he said. “Since TFFC’s opening in 1996, on average, someone catches their first fish every business day. That’s just amazing to me.”
The center’s outreach efforts are furthered through a number of statewide programs. The Sharelunker Program, for instance, engages the state’s largemouth bass anglers in the process of making bigger, better bass by encouraging them to weigh, measure and submit photos of their 8-plus-pound bass and loan their 13-plus-pound bass to TPWD for spawning and restocking purposes. Similarly, the annual Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest highlights Texas’ bass fisheries while encouraging angler recruitment and retention. And the Neighborhood Fishin’ Program provides anglers in major metropolitan areas with fishing opportunities close to home by stocking “keeper-size” channel catfish or rainbow trout regularly throughout the year.
“We are home to the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Texas Game Warden Museum, both of which demonstrate how many diverse areas of expertise can and have made an impact on fisheries conservation,” Lang said. “And the Hart-Morris Conservation Center offers a meeting space for community and conservation organizations and national, state and local fisheries scientists.”
Lang said he appreciates the chance to work with outstanding people that are dedicated to serving the mission and field of fisheries science, conservation and management.
“Such a level of passion and dedication means that we don’t shy away from a challenge here – if it’s the right thing to do, we address the problem and do all we can to figure it out,” he said. “That drives innovation and helps set new standards for others in our field.”
Lang said the aquaculture/fisheries program at UAPB prepared him for his career through top-notch instruction, as well as networking opportunities in the industry.
“However, I think one of the ways UAPB prepared me the most personally was to make me a more conscientious person,” he said. “The university helped me better recognize and be more thoughtful of others in situations where they may feel like they do not fit in.”
Lang said his career field has traditionally been dominated primarily by white males.
“As a UAPB alumnus, I feel that I am in a much better position to help those who are not of the traditional sex or race of my field to feel more welcomed and thus perform more to their abilities professionally,” he said. “UAPB has enhanced my career by helping me become a better person who, in turn, tries to help others be their best.”
Lang credits Dr. Steve Lochmann, professor of aquaculture of fisheries, and Dr. Wes Neal, former professor, as being influential in his development as a fisheries professional. This article was originally shared to the UAPB newsroom.
After 41 years of service serving in the medical field in Selma, Dr. Charles Lett will celebrate his final day as surgeon on April 30.
“It’s a tough decision but I’m trying to go on through with it I guess,” said Lett. “After 41 years here in Selma I guess it’s time to hang it up.”
Lett first knew he wanted to enter the medical field while attending Stillman College in Tuscaloosa.
After four years at Stillman, Lett then headed to Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and then began five years of surgical training in the Cornell University Affiliated Hospitals of New York City, Nassau County and Long Island, all in New York.
After four years at Stillman, another four at Meharry and five years of surgical training, Lett had spent 13 years training to become a surgeon.
“It a tremendous workload,” said Lett. “I was working up and down, days, nights weekend… pretty much tethered to the hospital.”
Lett said the rigorous training required to be a surgeon drove many of his peers to pursuing other avenues.
“But God saw me through,” said Let. “I had faith. You have to have faith and, of course, a certain amount of talent to make it through the tremendous volume of work required.”
In 1979, Lett returned to his hometown of Selma to open his Surgical Medical Practice.
Growing up in Selma, Lett was well aware of the city’s socioeconomic status and he felt a calling to return home and take care of the people of his home town.
“My roots are here,” said Lett of the Queen City.
Lett has served Selma’s medical community as Chief of Staff for 2 tenures of 4 years each and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Selma Medical Center (now Vaughan Regional Medical Center) and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the now non-extant Good Samaritan Hospital.
When Lett returned to Selma in 1979, it wasn’t without hiccups.
Lett said he faced discrimination from many of the local white doctors when he began practicing in his hometown, even after proving himself a talented medical professional. Read the entire article at the Selma Times Journal.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated postponement of the traditional graduation ceremonies set for May 9, Mississippi Valley State University is pleased to announce plans to recognize its Spring 2020 graduates during a Virtual Commencement Exercise.
The online commencement is set to stream on the University’s Facebook and YouTube pages at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9. Links to both sites will be posted on the homepage of the University’s webpage (www.mvsu.edu) later this month.
“Bidding our seniors farewell one final time before they venture off into the world is one of my greatest joys as a University President,” said MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr.
“After making the difficult decision to postpone graduation, I challenged our commencement committee to come up with an alternative that would allow us to celebrate our graduates. Together, we decided that hosting a virtual ceremony would be the safest way to honor our students on their special day.”
During the virtual event, Briggs will address the graduates before joining MVSU Provost, Dr. Kathie Stromile Golden, in conferring degrees to both graduate and undergraduate students.
The Spring 2020 Golden Graduates, members of MVSU’s Class of 1970, will also be recognized in honor of their 50thanniversary as MVSU alumni.
In addition to the virtual graduation ceremony, MVSU graduates will also have the opportunity to participate in a traditional commencement exercise later this year. More information regarding that ceremony is forthcoming. This article was originally shared on the Mississippi Valley State University newsroom.
South Carolina State University will hold a virtual commencement ceremony to confer degrees upon graduates of the institution’s class of 2020.
The decision follows the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic that has resulted in strict national and statewide policies aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
“These are unprecedented times,” university President James E. Clark said in a release.
“This pandemic has forced us to live in a different way. That includes changing the ways we do everything, including our university events. Given that we don’t know when the virus threat will be over in our area and given the series of executive orders set forth by our governor, we have decided to conduct our commencement ceremony virtually,” he said.
University leaders have not yet set a date for the virtual graduation, which is expected to honor bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree recipients.
“Because we do not know if the country will conquer COVID-19 by July, August or even later, it is not wise for us to give students a date for when the next physical graduation will be held,” university Provost and Academic Officer Dr. Learie Luke said. “As it stands today, we are still under the governor’s executive order of no assembly larger than three people.” read the full article at Times and Democrat,
One year ago today, the only all-male historically Black college and university (HBCU), Morehouse College, announced its gender identity policy. The same campus that cultivated men like Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Herman Cain, Samuel L. Jackson, Maynard Jackson, Michael Sterling Sr. and is now illuminating the path for students in the transgender community.
The policy will take effect in the Fall 2020 semester, meaning the policy applies to all students who are accepted to Morehouse’s class of 2024 and all classes that follow.
Once admitted, the student is expected to continue to self-identify as a man throughout his matriculation at Morehouse.
—Morehouse College Gender Identity Admissions and Matriculation Policy
Since its founding in 1867, Morehouse College’s mission has been to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service. Every aspect of this unique college is, and always will be, designed to prepare our graduates to flourish and make a positive impact in their communities and the world.
This mission is powerful, transcendent, and remains the driving force in the decisions we make as an institution.
In furtherance of our mission, tradition, and values as a men’s college, and in recognition of our changing world and evolving understanding of gender identity, Morehouse will now consider for admission applicants who live and self-identify as men, regardless of the sex assigned to them at birth. Women will not be eligible for admission at Morehouse.
We will also continue to use gendered language that reflects our identity as a men’s college.
This admissions policy affects students who transition while enrolled at Morehouse. Once admitted, every student will receive the individualized support that is an essential part of the Morehouse experience. However, all students are expected to continue to self-identify as men throughout their matriculation at Morehouse. If, during a student’s time at Morehouse, a student transitions from a man to a woman, that student will no longer be eligible to matriculate at Morehouse.
Exemptions from this rule may be granted by a three-person committee appointed by the President after a written appeal is submitted by the student. If the student disagrees with the committee’s decision, the student may make a final appeal to the President of Morehouse.
The appeal must address why the student desires continuation at Morehouse, a school explicitly designed for men, and any hardship to be incurred by forced withdrawal.
If a student decides that, as a men’s college, Morehouse no longer offers the appropriate educational environment for the student, or if an enrolled student begins to self-identify as a woman, we will offer guidance and resources to assist in making choices that are best for that student.
This policy applies to all students who enroll in Morehouse after the Fall 2020 semester. Students enrolled before the Fall 2020 semester are not subject to this policy.
View the full listing of details for Morehouse College’s new policy.
Alumni, LGBTQ advocates, current and prospective students and weighed in on the conversation.
Who is eligible for admission to Morehouse College?
Morehouse College accepts applications from individuals who live and self-identify as men and who seek an outstanding liberal arts education in a unique environment designed and implemented to serve them.
What does it mean to self-identify as a man?
The applicant must identify himself as a man and his application materials must support this self-identification. If the applicant has any questions or concerns, he can speak with an admissions counselor.
Are trans men eligible for admission?
Yes. Under this new policy, Morehouse will accept applications from those who live and self-identify as men – which includes trans men.
Are trans women eligible for admission?
No. Morehouse accepts applications from those who live and self-identify as men. Applicants assigned male at birth who now identify as women are not eligible for admission.
What about a Morehouse student who transitions to a woman before she completes her degree?
A student who transitions to a woman or begins to self-identify as a woman during her tenure at Morehouse will no longer be eligible to matriculate at Morehouse College.
Exemptions from this rule may be granted by a three-person committee appointed by the President after a written appeal is submitted by the student. In the event that the impacted student disagrees with the decision of the committee, the student can make final appeal to the President of Morehouse.
The appeal must address why the student desires continuation at Morehouse, a school explicitly designed for men, and any hardship to be incurred by forced withdrawal.
Are individuals who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming eligible for admission?
Morehouse College recognizes that not all gender non-conforming students use the term transgender to describe their identity. As such, we also welcome students who identify as gender non-conforming or gender non-binary to apply and matriculate.
The policy says the school will ‘continue to use masculine pronouns’ and the ‘language of brotherhood’; however, you say you welcome non-binary or non-gender conforming students. How is that possible?
That section of the policy defines how we will speak and write at the institutional level. For example, during large assemblies or presentations, as well as in our mass marketing and communications, we will continue to reference the brotherhood. The student body will be referred to as the “men of Morehouse” and our alumni base as “Morehouse Men.” But on an individual basis, if a student or community member would rather not be addressed as “he”, “him” or “his” we will, of course, honor that and address that individual as they wish.
Is this policy another way to create a dress code?
No. Morehouse does not have a college-wide dress code. Certain events require formal attire, but there is no dress code. This policy addresses gender identity, not attire.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are a beautiful experience that were designed to include, advance, accept and support Black students and Black culture. Salute to Morehouse for continuing that founding mission.
