19 Howard University students file lawsuit due to roaches, rats and mold

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A roach on the wall! A roach in an underwear drawer! A roach on the desk! Those are just three of the places cockroaches are making themselves at home in Howard University’s Howard Plaza Towers dorm, according to pictures provided by lawyer Daniel Hornal.

Hornal—last in the news crusading against misbehaving D.C. cabbies—is now facing off with pests in the Howard dorm. In a lawsuit filed yesterday in D.C. Superior Court, Hornal is representing 19 Howard students who claim to have been affected by rats, roaches, and mold. They’re suing for back rent from the university, which hasn’t responded to a request for comment from City Desk, and an independent investigation of the problem.

“This lady moved into her dorm and she was seeing just massive numbers of cockroaches everywhere, especially in her kitchen,” Hornal says of one student, who moved into the towers in August. Howard tried to exterminate the roaches, according to Hornal, but whatever they tried didn’t work.

“Cockroaches would be literally raining down onto her counter,” he says. read more…

Attracting the Best and Brightest: HBCU Honors Programs

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Note: This post is based on a forthcoming study related to HBCU Honors programs and was co-authored with Claire Fluker (University of Pennsylvania), Felecia Commodore (University of Pennsylvania), and Darryl Peterkin (Morgan State University).

There is an abundance of research on academically underprepared students and their experiences at HBCUs. Likewise, there is a fair amount of research on developmental programs and the role that HBCUs play in empowering students who struggle in college. However, there is a lack of empirical research on high-achieving students at HBCUs, especially those that participate in honors programs. This lack of research creates a false understanding of the contributions of Black colleges, highlighting only their work with underprepared students and neglecting the experiences of high-achieving students and the meaningful efforts of honors program staffs.

HBCU honors programs vary by institution, but have a common mission of attracting and retaining high-achieving African American students. Of note, HBCU honors programs include peer and faculty mentoring, leadership development, an emphasis on community service, and a focus on personal as well as academic development. According to our research, the two factors that lead to successful honors programs are a supportive and engaged faculty and adequate funding to support the activities of the programs. HBCU honors programs are vital to the future success of HBCUs because they give these institutions the capacity to attract high-achieving students that are often pursued by wealthy historically White institutions. In addition, research shows that the presence of honors students on HBCU campuses can inspire and motivate non honors students to achieve and work harder on academics. Moreover, honors programs attract and maintain competitive faculty members. read more…

Shaquille O’Neal speaks to Members of Congress on The Century Council’s Efforts to Fight College Binge Drinking

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On Friday, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, Ed.D. joined The Century Council on Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and their top staffers.  Dr. O’Neal spoke about The Century Council’s effort to address college binge drinking across the country and highlighted new research completed by Morgan State University on binge drinking among Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students.

Morgan State University, funded by a grant from The Century Council, conducted and compiled research which revealed that consumption and attitudes about alcohol among HBCU students are different that the national college sample:

  • Two-thirds of HBCU students like to pre-game versus thirty-six percent of the national sample.
  • Eighty-two percent of HBCU students have a good grasp on their drinking limits and maintain them versus seventy-eight percent of the national sample.
  • One-third of HBCU students don’t always realize how drunk they are until later compared to 39% of the national sample.
  • One-half of HBCU students who drink and go out socially report binge drinking on a weekly basis while two-thirds reported binging in the national sample.

Using the results of this recent research, The Century Council plans to pair Shaq and Morehouse College to create a new communications campaign to fight binge drinking among African American students.  The Century Council’s research on college binge drinking shows an important aspect of a successful campaign to fight college binge drinking is the students’ own voices.  This new initiative will be in addition to The Century Council’s student-generated college binge drinking initiatives presently on various campuses across the country.

“The Century Council has made a considerable commitment to developing impactful initiatives to combat dangerous overconsumption on college campuses across the country,” said Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of The Century Council.  “We wanted to understand the differences, if any, in binge drinking behaviors among students on HBCU campuses versus other colleges and universities, and we found some.  With the new insights that we gained from the recent research into binge drinking on HBCU campuses and the creativity of Shaquille O’Neal, we know we can make an impact.”

“Binge drinking on college campuses is dangerous and has got to stop,” said Shaquille O’Neal.  “Strategies to combat it need to be more effective on a national level, which is why I am proud to lend my support to this effort by working with Morehouse College and The Century Council.  I am sure that the campaign we develop will be creative and is going to have a large impact.  It’s exciting work.” read more…

Homecoming or Homecoonin’? Can HBCUs save Hip Hop?

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“She’s so self conscious / has no idea what she’s doin’ in college,” — Kanye West on “All Falls Down”

On the block, he was once known as “Big Ferg,” now — after a couple of years at Hillman College — he prefers to go by his government name, Hamilton Winston Ferguson III. He no longer has time to kick it with the homies, like he did back in the day. Nah, he’s too busy discussing philosophy, economics and heavy intellectual stuff with his new upwardly-mobile college chums. However, every homecoming weekend, you can find him in the club, gettin’ tipsy and rockin’ to Rick Ross. No different than the brothers on the block he left behind…

It’s that time of year again. A time for football, elections and most importantly, college homecomings. Matter of fact, at most HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), homecoming even surpasses graduation weekend as the social event of the year.

However, the question that I have always had is: How do our institutions of “higher learning” always manage to find the lowest form of entertainment for their homecoming shows? Is there some unwritten rule that you have to get straight ig’nant every homecoming weekend?

Don’t get me wrong. I get it. After spending four hours a day slavin’ over books in boring classes, every homecoming weekend (or in many cases, every single weekend), students feel the need to get their party on and blow off some steam. But, some people have to cope with harder situations. What about the brothers and sisters trapped in the ‘hood, who say that the reason that they walk around with a 40 and a blunt all day, with Gucci Mane blastin’ through their headphones, is to escape the pain of ghetto life?

What’s sad is that black colleges have always been viewed as the breeding grounds for future leaders, who are gonna take African Americans to the next level. So why do they support rappers who are hell bent on leading our children down a path of destruction, by paying them major dollars to perform at their homecoming shows every year?

Contrary to popular belief, hip-hop artists (unless they are 50 Cent status) don’t make their money from CD sales. The newer artists make their dollars by touring clubs and college campuses. And, homecoming season is their time for cashin’ in.

So, although we try to blame the current state of hip-hop on Hen-Dog from the ‘hood who is always downloading Waka Flocka Flame CDs, or Lil Bobby from the ‘burbs who gets 15 dollars from mumsy every Tuesday to vicariously rep the ‘hood through Lil Wayne, the real culprits are the college brainiacs who actually bankroll the mysogynistic, minstrel murda music.

Some like to give rappers like Chief Keef a pass, sayin’ that they are just reppin’ their hoods. Problem is, if you are reading this while chillin’ in your dorm room, listening to a Chief Keef mixtape, you ain’t. Actually, you are guilty of exploiting the people who really have to live that way for your own entertainment pleasure.

Traditionally, college students are supposed to be representing the best hopes and aspirations of an entire race. Although many students are beatin’ people over the head this fall about how our ancestors “died for our right to vote”, what about those who died for our right to read a book? What is your responsibility to them?

This is not to say that all college students have neglected their responsibilities.

Back in 2004, a group of women at Spelman College protested against Nelly’s “Tip Drill” video, causing the rapper to abort his visit to the campus, instead of facing the music. Also, back in 2009, students at FAMU and NC A@T demanded to know why their student funds were going towards modern day minstrel shows. read more…

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Student driven Student Giving Campaign at UAPB

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Research shows that when students are exposed to philanthropic giving while in college they are more likely to give once they graduate. Students who learn why giving is important are also more likely to be engaged in campus activities as alumni. At many majority institutions throughout the nation, especially well resourced colleges and universities, teaching students about giving and why fundraising is important to the success of the institution have become the norm. At my own institution, the University of Pennsylvania, we have a program called Penn Traditions that teaches student leaders about the role of philanthropy in the future of Penn. The program is hugely successful.

A conversation about philanthropic giving and its importance, as well as opportunities to learn about the inner workings of colleges or universities, is essential to sustaining their future. Future alumni need to be cultivated and educated about the needs of the institution.

With the exception of the United Negro College Fund’s National Pre-Alumni Councils, talking to students about philanthropy has not been the norm at most HBCUs. However, this situation is changing. For example, most recently Claflin University raised $150,000 from its students. They are using innovative strategies to engage students and alumni alike and showing impressive results — results that are the envy of any institution of higher education in the United States. And now Prairie View A&M University’s students are banding together to help their institution raise scholarship funds for future students. Prairie View is a public HBCU located outside of Houston, Texas with roughly 8,400 students. The initiative, which is commonly referred to as the Student Development Initiative (SDI), has several components, all geared to expose and engage students in philanthropy while still on campus. According to Prairie View’s Executive Director of Development Nelson Bowman lll, “Teaching them [students] to give now will create givers for life.” read more…

MD HBCUs receive $12.2 million in federal funding

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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education awarded more than $12.2 million of federal grants towards Maryland’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. This federal grant will be invested towards strengthening academic resources, improving management capabilities and renewing building infrastructures for the four schools.

“Maryland’s HBCUs have a strong record of academic achievement and this grant from the U.S. Department of Education is important because it will provide significant new resources to further enhance academic programming and ensure student success,” Sen. Ben Cardin explained.

In the statement released by Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, the funding was divided upon each school as follows:

– $3,890,115 for Morgan State University towards tutoring and counseling programs, developing an endowment, job training within underrepresented subject areas, faculty development and community outreach

– $3,001,959 for Bowie State University to narrow the achievement gap for first- generation college students and strategic planning budgets to increase and enhance academic course selection

– $2,774,743 for Coppin State University to increase the retention and graduation rates and to further build minority participation in science, technology, nursing, information technology and geography

– $2,535, 354 for University of Maryland Eastern Shore towards becoming a leader in doctoral research through building access to education, increasing recruitment and retention, as well as addressing and enhancing research to improve the achievement gap read more…

Dillard to Host “Does Hip-Hop Hate Women?

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Dillard University will host “Does Hip-Hop Hate Women? A Conversation About Sex, Love and Gender Politics in Today’s Pop Culture” on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Georges Auditorium of the Professional Schools Building. This town-hall-style meeting conducted by leading hip-hop intellectuals is free and open to the public.

Panelists will include: Bakari Kitwana, author of “The Hip Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African American Culture”; Joan Morgan, author of “When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: My Life as a Hip Hop Feminist”; Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American studies at Duke University; Treva Lindsey, assistant professor of women’s and gender studies at the University of Missouri; Marc Lamont Hill, host of the show “Our World with Black Enterprise”; and Akiba Solomon, a journalist with the news website Color Lines. Kevin Griffin of the New Orleans collective 2-Cent Entertainment will preside.

“It’s important that we consistently engage in dialogue about the ways women and men are portrayed in our society,” said event organizer Michael Wilson, an instructor of African world studies at Dillard University. “And by using hip-hop as the vehicle to drive this discussion, students will be able to directly and critically think about visual literacy, identity, black masculinity, homophobia, perceptions of women, and how they overlap in media and public policy debates.” read more…

Clark Atlanta University ranks worst in student debt.

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As tuition fees have increased, more students have trusted student loans to help finance their education and debt loads have gone up. This situation in turn has had an impact on individual students’ financial situations after graduation.

In a recent report, US News & World Report completed an analysis of colleges and universities where students graduated with the least and the most amounts of debt. Clark Atlanta University ranks at the top of schools where students leave with the most debt. The average debt at Clark Atlanta is $47,066. US News ranked 270 colleges for the 2013 Best National Universities, 229 of which reported data on graduates’ debt.

Howard University was ranked sixth of all schools with the least debt average of $15,080. Many of the Ivy League institutions were least likely to have graduates with high debt.

Financial aid expert, Mark Kantrowitz said, “Students borrowing to attend any college should research their school, major, and career options before taking out loans. The total amount you borrow should be less than your predicted starting salary after graduation.”

No Filter: Central State’s Santana Silas talks HBCU experience

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Following his own free will, well known Central State student Santana (Tana Rocks) Silas talks about his HBCU experience and leadership on the yard, future goals, and new music during an HBCU Buzz interview.

There is nothing like the HBCU experience. Attending these institutions, one has the opportunity to walk among and network with modern leaders in fields like engineering, business, and arts on daily bases. Graduating senior Santana “Tana Rocks” Silas is one such student.

Ups and Downs: Living the “HBCU Experience”

“My HBCU experience has had its ups and its downs. Before I came to Central State, I attended a predominately white institution, Ohio University. I didn’t enjoy it much so I took my talents to Central [State]. But now everything has basically fallen in place, and I have taken it all in, managing leadership roles in my fraternity, Iota Phi Theta, and my major, Graphic Design.”

Breathing the American Dream: Silas talks Music Inspirations  

“Growing up in a prominent Hip Hop community like New York is inspiring. My father was into reggae music when I was young so I matured around that atmosphere. I began writing music late in my childhood, mimicking Hip Hop artist Cassidy’s style, and eventually merging into my own lane. My mixtape, No Filter, is the first of its kind for me and I note how my sound is unique to my own experiences and lifestyle.

Down the Road, What’s Next?

By five years, I plan to be supporting my family with either music or graphics, and married to a drop dead gorgeous woman. I’m also in the works to the sequel of No Filter. Really, I just want to be successful in every endeavor I take, helping others and myself. And to be successful, you have to find what you are good at and put your all into it. I am currently taking my own advice.”

Santana “Tana Rocks” Silas is a graduating senior at Central State University from Brooklyn, New York, and a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Mu Chapter. Follow him on Twitter and check out his mixtape in collaboration with @RockstarJDA:

Twitter: @TanaRocks_

YouTube: No Filter

BSU Bulldogs come back to take 24-17 overtime win over Fairmont State

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BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie State Bulldogs scored 24-unanswered points to beat the Fairmont State in overtime on Saturday afternoon in Bowie. The Falcons led 17-0 with 11:46 to play before the Bulldogs scored the next 24 points of the game.

“Defensively we played well all game and our offense picked it up late, however, we definitely have to fix some things on special teams”, said a very happy Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson.

Fairmont State (0-3) was led offensively by Bobby Vega who passed for 166 yards on 14-of-27 attempts. He also threw for a touchdown and was intercepted twice on the afternoon. Mark Sampson was on the receiving end of three passes for 87 yards. Daniel Monroe tallied 79 yards on 17 carries for the Falcons. Defensively the Falcons were led by Garrett Davis with nine tackles. Matt Larrubia and Ronnie Lockhart also recorded eight tackles for the Fairmont State defense.

Bowie State (3-0) was led offensively by senior Tyrae Reid with a career-high 329 yards on 23-of-38 passing. Reid also threw three touchdown passes and an interception in the game. Senior Douglas McNeil caught seven passes for 105 yards and a score for the Bulldogs. Junior Corwin Acker carried the ball 26 times for 105 yards, his second straight game with over 100 yards on the ground. Acker also caught six passes for 59 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively the Bulldogs were led by redshirt freshman Curtis Pumphrey with nine tackles. Senior Kenyon Kinard wrapped up the thriller with eight tackles and redshirt freshman Antoine Young along with senior Bekwele Amadi added seven and six tackles respectively.

“The team is excited about being 3-0 heading into conference play next weekend … This team has shown a lot of perseverance so far this season and have a lot of room to grow but the guys are fighting and that’s all we can ask for”, said Wilson.

Fairmont State blocked a pair of Bowie State field goals and the Bulldogs blocked the game winning attempt by the Falcons in the fourth quarter. In addition, both teams turned the football over three times in the game. Bowie State held an advantage in total offense (453-308) and first downs (23-12). The Bulldogs also controlled time of possession, with a 17 minute advantage (46:23–28:37).

The Falcons scored the only points of the opening half when Johnny Dearstine made 22-yard field goal after Fairmont State recovered a Bowie State fumble at the Bulldogs’ 12-yard line. Fairmont State extended the lead after Scott Davidson blocked a Bulldog field goal attempt that was scooped up by Ryland Newman and retuned for the FSU touchdown. The Falcons took a 17-0 advantage after Vega capped off a four-play, 42 yard drive with a touchdown pass to Collin Alford. Referenced by BSU

UMES Wins first football game in 30years, Running Past East Connecticut 26-8

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore wins big on Saturday. It has been almost 30 years since  a football game  has been played at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).  Big win against East Connecticut State 26-8. Next game will be against Coppin State.

Heres what people are saying

 

Study Dispels Myth That HBCUs Hinder Success

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HBCU graduates have higher earning potential and self-image, according to a new study.  The study, authored by researchers from Morehouse College and Howard University, dispels the idea that earning a degree from an HBCU is hindrance to success.

On the contrary, it suggests that historically black college and university graduates have advantages that black students at predominately white institutions don’t have. “Our results suggest that HBCU graduates realize higher earnings relative to non-HBCU graduates,” said the report. “As such, our results lend support to the idea that HBCUs continue to have a compelling educational justification, as the labor market outcomes of their graduates are superior to what they would have been had they graduated from a non-HBCU.”

The study also suggested that HBCUs were better for the self-esteem and self-image of black students. “Our estimates of the effects HBCUs have on the psychological outcomes of graduates also lend support to the idea that HBCUs have a comparative advantage in nurturing the self-image, self-esteem, and identity of its graduates, which theoretically matters for labor market outcomes,” said the study.

According to Gregory Price, one of the study’s co-authors, he and his colleagues used a definition of success that isn’t commonly found in studies about similar subjects. “What we did is we looked at an alternative sample. Keep in mind, the typical study only looks at one narrow outcome, market earnings,” Price said. “Market earnings are a short value of success.”

Students and graduates of HBCUs seem to share this sentiment.

“The program I was in really set the bar for success early on,” Courtney Jones, a graduate of Florida A&M University said to The Grio. “Success was not just, ‘make this amount of money and obtain this title.’ They would provide the resources for success, but you had to decide what success was for you.” Referenced from ATL

Claflin names Christopher Woods Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach

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Claflin University Athletics Director Dr. Jerome Fitch has announced the hiring of Christopher V. Woods as head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

“Coach Woods brings a championship reputation to the table and will no doubt steer Claflin into national prominence on the track,” said Fitch.  “We look forward to witnessing his burgeoning coaching career manifest into unprecedented success at this University.”
Woods joins the Claflin University coaching staff with impressive credentials.

“Becoming a head coach was a dream of mine since I graduated from college and Claflin University seems to be the right fit for me. I want to be a part in helping the athletes here become successful and build a strong program,” said Woods.  “I was attracted here by Claflin’s excellent academic reputation.”

A native of Covington, Ga., Woods previously coached at Abilene Christian University, where he spent the past two years as men and women’s long sprints, middle and long distance coach.  During his tenure at Abilene Christian, Woods was an integral part of back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championship men’s track and field teams. Read Full

Southern University Fired Stump Mitchell Head football coach

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Southern University fired third-year football coach Stump Mitchell on Friday, less than 24 hours after a disastrous home opener left the Jaguars at 0-2 to begin the season.

Mitchell, who came to Southern after serving as the running backs coach for the Washington Redskins, was in the third and final guaranteed year of a contract paying him $200,000 annually.

Mitchell was 6-18 in his third season at Southern. He is 14-42 overall as a head coach after going 8-24 in three previous seasons at Morgan State.

Mitchell has been reassigned within the athletic department, SU Athletic Director William Broussard said.

Dawson Odums, the defensive coordinator, will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, Broussard said.

On Thursday at A.W. Mumford Stadium, in a game televised by ESPNU, Southern lost 6-0 to Mississippi Valley State for only the second time in the past 20 seasons. Southern tallied just 197 total yards and turned the ball over three times.

The Jaguars have been outscored 72-21 with seven turnovers in two games this season. And though SU’s first loss was on the road to New Mexico, a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision, the loss against Valley — a historically hapless Southwestern Athletic Conference rival — signaled that the Jaguars weren’t making the progress hoped for by this time in the Mitchell era.

Mitchell was hired in January 2010 to replace Pete Richardson, who was fired in December 2009. Richardson, who was let go before he could serve the final year of his contract, was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June.

While success on the field proved elusive, Mitchell was able to navigate the team through troubles with the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. SU was ineligible for postseason play last season because of its academic woes. The penalties were the result of problems at the end of the Richardson era.

Southern’s next game will be at Jackson State on Sept. 22 in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss. Referenced

President’s Corner: The HBCU Buzz Show Welcomes Paul Quinn President Michael Sorrell, Esq

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The HBCU Buzz Show is excited to kick-off the “President’s Corner” on the upcoming September 18th show. The President’s Corner will be a weekly segment on the show where you get to hear from the leadership behind our beloved HBCU’s.

For the first President’s Corner we are honored to have President of Paul Quinn College Michael J. Sorrell.

About:

As the 34th President of Paul Quinn College, Michael J. Sorrell is leading the school on one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of higher education. Under his guidance, the school has embarked upon an agenda that stresses academic rigor, student services, institutional accountability and a commitment to servant leadership. His vision is to transform Paul Quinn College into one of America’s great small colleges by redefining the educational experience of students from under-resourced communities.

Sorrell received his J.D. and M.A. in Public Policy from Duke University. While in law school, he was one of the founding members of the Journal of Gender Law & Policy and served as the vice-president of the Duke Bar Association. Sorrell was a recipient of the Sloan Foundation Graduate Fellowship, which funded his studies at both Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (as a graduate fellow) and Duke University. He graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Government, where he was voted secretary-treasurer of his senior class, pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and was a two-time captain of the men’s varsity basketball team and one of the school’s all-time leading scorers.

About Paul Quinn:

Paul Quinn College is a private, faith-based, four-year liberal arts college founded by and affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The College was founded in Austin, Texas on April 4, 1872.  For more please see www.pqc.edu

iPad Technology Advantage Scholarship Initiative at Jackson State

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For the first time over 900 students at Jackson State University will be receiving iPad’s to help them assist with their learning this week through a partnership with the Mississippi e-Center Foundation. The program, called the iPad Technology Advantage Scholarship Initiative, will use the device in curriculum as well as monitor students learning during a thorough two-year study.

Beginning Tuesday, September 4, students lined up to receive their iPads by classification. Led by campus instructors, they registered for insurance, took part in mini workshops about various iPad policies, set-up and use and were given an iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard and a protective cover. Each iPad is equipped with tons of student applications and Airwatch Safeware that will help recover any lost or stolen iPads.

According to Mississippi e-Center executive director and foundation president Dr. William McHenry, the project is the largest scholarship program in the country. The only large university to undertake a program similar to it is the Ohio State University School of Medicine.

The iPad project will be ongoing for future freshmen. In four years, every Jackson State student on campus will be equipped an iPad. read more…