Fort Valley State University has been awarded a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support underrepresented students in pursuing STEM-related degrees and careers.
Fort Valley State University(FVSU) has been awarded a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to support underrepresented students in pursuing STEM-related degrees and careers.
According to WGXA News, the grant is meant to improve FVSU’s efforts to reach out to underrepresented students, including minorities and veterans.
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. announced the news of the STEM grant on Wednesday. “I am glad to announce that the National Science Foundation is making this investment in Fort Valley State University so that it can recruit more students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, also known as STEM, fields,” he said.
“In the past two years, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS & Science Act bringing a resurgence of manufacturing jobs in America, including in Middle and Southwest Georgia. Drawing from the full range of our community’s youth, colleges and universities will ensure that Georgia has the skilled workers needed for these jobs and our economy,” Congressman Bishop remarked.
Thanks to the grant, students will benefit from a slew of STEM curricula, including workshops, research experience, and scientific exchange opportunities with other STEM students and scientists at research conferences. The students will also receive career guidance to help prepare them for the STEM job market and graduate school.
The grant is also intended to help transfer students interested in STEM degrees from nearby two-year colleges to FVSU, according to WGXA News.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that a replacement for Hattie McDaniel’s historic Best Supporting Actress Oscar will be gifted to Howard University.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that a replacement for Hattie McDaniel’s historic Best Supporting Actress Oscar will be gifted toHoward University.
McDaniel made history as the first Black person to win an Academy Award for her supporting performance as Mammy in the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind.”
The actress bequeathed her award Howard upon her death in 1952 but it went missing in the late 1960s after being displayed in the university’s drama department.
Thanks to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, a replacement of McDaniel’s Oscar is coming to Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
To commemorate the “replacement” Oscar, the HBCU will host a ceremony titled “Hattie’s Come Home” on October 1 at the Ira Aldridge Theater. According to a press statement, the event will include opening remarks by Phylicia Rashad, Dean of Fine Arts, a performance of a medley of songs from current students and faculty, and an excerpt of “Boulevard of Bold Dreams,” a play by LaDarrion Williams.
Representatives of the Academy and the Academy Museum will be at the ceremony, including Jacqueline Stewart, Ph.D., Director and President of the Academy Museum, and Executive Vice President of Oscars Strategy Teni Melidonian, who will present the plaque to the university
In a statement, Rashad reflected on her time at Howard and what the gift means to the community. “When I was a student in the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, in what was then called the Department of Drama, I would often sit and gaze in wonder at the Academy Award that had been presented to Ms. Hattie McDaniel, which she had gifted to the College of Fine Arts,” expressed Rashad.
“I am overjoyed that this Academy Award is returning to what is now the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University,” said Rashad. “This immense piece of history will be back in the College of Fine Arts for our students to draw inspiration from. Ms. Hattie is coming home!”
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention, remember the lives lost to suicide, and acknowledge those who have been impacted by suicide and those who have struggled with suicidal ideation.
Trigger Warning: This Article Will Discuss Suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention, remember the lives lost to suicide, and acknowledge those who have been impacted by suicide and those who have struggled with suicidal ideation.
Exacerbated by the pandemic, thoughts of suicide among U.S. college students are on the rise. According to the Mayo Clinic’s 2021–22 survey, 44 percent of college students reported symptoms of depression, and 15 percent reported seriously considering suicide.
In 2020, the CDC reported that suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people ages 15-24.
College can be a difficult transition and a time of high stress for many students. Students may experience challenges such as increased academic demands, financial burdens, or difficulty making friends and adjusting to a new environment. These challenges may cause or worsen feelings of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions in students.
American Association of Suicidology – www.suicidology.org The goal of (AAS) is to understand and prevent suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – www.afsp.org The nation’s leading organization bringing together people across communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes.
The Jed Foundation – http://www.jedfoundation.org/ As the nation’s leading organization working to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among college students, The Jed Foundation is protecting the mental health of students across the country.
ULifeline – http://www.ulifeline.org/ On online resource for college mental health. Also includes a help line for those with more serious mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and how to help a friend.
Buzzing News: Nike’s subsequent release of their HBCU-themed collection showcases Alabama A&M University. They will drop later this year.
Following Tennessee State University and Spelman College, Nike is taking their talents to Alabama A&M at the end of 2023 to represent HBCU pride and inclusion.
Nike Terminator Highs is the name of this particular shoe — a must-have for your sneaker collection.
Of the great significance of this launch, shoe collectors can style and profile, making a fashion statement with these shoes concerning HBCU representation.
“Already revealed in special iterations for Spelman College and Tennessee State University, Nike now turns its attention to Alabama A&M University as its next inclusion in their HBCU-themed collection of Nike Terminator Highs.”
“Rife with profound details that describe the history of the school, this Nike Terminator High starts off with AAMU’s school colors of white and burgundy. The school’s mascot, the bulldog Butch, is featured on the tongue label revealing his cute yet menacing face, while golden bone-shaped lace dubrae provide treats for its protector. The laces act as a banner for its Normalite Opportunity Scholarship, which rewards select students outside of the state of Alabama with a grant valued up to $8,700 annually. Additionally, the school’s motto of “Service Is Sovereignty” appears on the right insole, while its founding year of 1875 is proudly stamped on the outer toes.”
Sneaker News
Per the website, “a release date for this pair or any of the other HBCU-inspired Terminators is known, so stay tuned for updates as Nike likely has unique plans arranged for the release of these spirited sneakers.”
Alabama A&M is a four-year degree offering college in Huntsville, Alabama.
The above is important because it approves of Delaware State University regarding retention, enrollment, and generally making better happen.
Through exchanging knowledge, experience, and skills, the Fulbright program will also help DSU and the other listed black colleges improve interculturalrelations, culturaldiplomacy, and interculturalcompetence between the people of the United States and other countries.
“Delaware State University is ringing in the accolades, now announced as a Fulbright Historically black College and University institutional leader.”
“It’s a recognition that honors the partnership between the J. Williams Fulbright program and the nation’s black colleges. The program provides opportunities for students and staff to study and teach or conduct research abroad. We spoke with a Fulbright professor, Dr. Kevina Vulinec, who had a Fulbright scholarship and fellowship.”
per 47abc
Delaware State University is a four-year land grant status college based in Dover, Delaware.
Of the experience, DSU Professor Dr. Kevina Vulinec, Fulbright alumna, said it’s one of the best things she has ever done: “I really learned a lot while I was there and it was wonderful having that experience to appreciate the culture and to appreciate the scientists that were there. The Fulbright program is an excellent program for anybody that wants to find out more about another country, look at the culture.”
Visit the school’s website for more information about it.
On Monday morning, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a roundtable discussion with the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The event included key figures like Dr. Tony Allen, Chair of the Board of Advisors and Delaware State University President, and Mayor Steve Benjamin, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
The topic of discussion during the meeting was the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring HBCUs receive the same kinds of investments as other universities and remain affordable for students.
Join the Vice President and me as we meet with my Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. https://t.co/kh6QUr7ApN
Biden spoke about the importance and crucial need to support HBCUs.
“HBCUs produce 40% of all Black engineers in America, 50% of all Black lawyers, 70% of all Black doctors and dentists, and 80% of all Black judges,” Biden remarked. “And HBCUs are engineers of economic mobility helping to increase the Black middle class. When the middle class does well, everybody does well. The poor have a road up, and the wealthy still do well although they’ve got to start paying their taxes. That’s why it’s critical we invest in these universities.”
Dr. Allen listed four recommendations for supporting HBCUs, framed around President Biden and Vice President Harris’s core fundamental tenets.
The first recommendation was to focus on infrastructure, “both as it relates to physical infrastructure and technological infrastructure.” “We already know that HBCUs were the best return on investment in higher education and provide a quality education, and we want our living and learning spaces to match that quality education,” said Dr. Allen.
In the second recommendation, Dr. Allen emphasized the importance of research capacity building at HBCUs. “We think we have unique expertise across an array of disciplines that will help the American economy.” Dr Allen said. “And we have a number of HBCUs who are in the R2 position, which is a cla- — a Carnegie Classification that are ready for their R1 status. “
Dr. Allen’s third recommendation was “connected pathways,” which supports students in obtaining opportunities as they matriculate through college and onto graduate school, and the fourth recommendation was HBCU preservation and growth.
Biden also touched on his promise to make historic investments in HBCUs, citing increased Pell Grant funding and research allocations.
The president said he’s worked for bipartisan support in helping HBCUs. “Just a few months ago, the Speaker of the House and I agreed to spending levels for the government. We were up right to the very edge, almost reneged on our debt, and — that we could fund essential priorities and still cut the deficit by $1 trillion over the next decade,” Biden noted.
“Land-grant universities used to be robustly supported by their state legislative bodies. They would support, in some cases, up to 60 percent of the land-grant budget for that university. “From 1987 to 2000, land-grant universities have lost — Black and white — more than $13 billion in investments from the state — from the states and government to help them. And that has exacerbated the problem — particularly for Black land-grant universities, HBCUs. Everybody does better in the whole United States when the potential of HBCUs is realized. Everybody. I make no apologies for the kind of effort we’re expending on HBCUs.”
– President Joe Biden
Vice President Harris, a graduate of Howard University, stressed the importance of diversity and HBCU graduates being in leadership roles.
“I strongly believe — based on experience and knowledge about what our country needs, in terms of its strength and growth and development — that our HBCUs are extraordinary centers of academic excellence and must continue to be supported, not only because of the historical role that they have played in building and helping to contribute to America’s leadership and global leadership, but also because, as the President has said: As we look forward, we know that our HBCUs are also pipelines for very extraordinary young people to enter the fields of work that we require to cure disease, to create that which we have not imagined, to supply us with the innovative approaches that will allow us to continue to work on the strength, prosperity, and security of our nation,” Harris said.
Former Morgan State University basketball player, Blake Bozeman was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night, according to police.
Former Morgan State University basketball player, Blake Bozeman was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Washington, D.C. on Saturday night, according to police.
The shooting happened just before 12 a.m. at a nightclub in the 1300 block of H Street, Northeast, in Washington, D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department. In addition to Bozeman, two men and one woman were also shot and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
First responders administered aid, and Blake and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Bozeman, 31, died at a local hospital.
Credit: Morgan State University Athletics
Bozeman played basketball at Morgan State University as a starting guard for four years, between 2011 and 2015, where his father, Todd, was the program’s “winningest Division 1 coach in Morgan history,” according to a statement put out by the university.
Bozeman finished his playing career ranked No. 2 on the school’s all-time minutes leaderboard (3717), No. 4 in games played (123), and No. 3 in 3-pointers made (183). He averaged 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists. He scored 20 or more points five times during his senior season, including a season-high 25 points at North Carolina A&T on Feb. 23, 2015.
Bozeman earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morgan State University.
The university sent its condolences to the Bozeman family and friends in a statement, saying “Our family was an extension of his and he was a shining example of what it means to be a student-athlete.”
According to CBS News Baltimore, the shooter is still on the loose and there is a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Police described the suspect as a Black male, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall, wearing a black hat and a white/cream sweater. He was last seen heading westbound on H Street, Northeast.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099 or anonymously submit a tip by sending a text message to 50411.
Tuskegee University officials report that multiple people were injured at an “unauthorized party” early Sunday morning at the university’s West Commons housing complex.
Tuskegee University officials report that multiple people were injured at an “unauthorized party” early Sunday morning at the university’s West Commons housing complex.
The university said two campus visitors were shot and two students were hurt while trying to leave the scene. According to a release from Frank H. Lee, director of the Macon County Emergency Management Agency/Department of Homeland Security, one of the shooting victims was treated and released from an area hospital, and another had life-threatening injuries.
The Tuskegee University Police Department is working with local law enforcement agencies as part of the investigation.
In light of the incident, the university canceled classes on Monday and encouraged students to utilize the counseling resources available to students.
“This is a time for us to work together to support each other and our students as One Tuskegee,” Tuskegee University President Charlotte P. Morris said. “I thank the entire campus community for pulling together to ensure the well-being of our students and providing the resources they need.”
One student who was at the party, Mechel Winters, detailed the incident to the Alabama news station, WSFA.
She recalled herself and others tripping and getting hurt in the panic to escape. “I just expected it to be a safe place because we are on campus, and there should be security measures in place,” she said.
Winters, and another Tuskegee University student, Indya Whitaker, both took issue with the university’s “unauthorized party” claim.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Walker, who claimed to be one of several injured at the party, said “We never have had to, but now the university wanna blame us so parents don’t blame campus police and security to save face for the school.”
Winters shared this sentiment, saying, “Them saying that the party was unauthorized to kind of switch the blame unto us, it’s crazy because even if it was an authorized party, with the security measures we have in place, the same thing could have happened.”
Alabama State University has suspended one of its football players indefinitely following an incident with a security guard at Saturday’s game against Florida A&M University.
The incident happened after the game where Florida A&M beat Alabama State 23-10. A video surfaced on social media showing a player wearing a No. 16 Alabama State jersey approaching fans before being blocked by the guard. The player then swung and hit the security guard before being pulled back by his teammates.
The player, who has been identified as Jacob Freeman, is no longer listed on the team’s roster online.
On early Sunday morning, Alabama State University Athletics Director Dr. Jason Cable released a statement regarding the incident that read:
“We are aware of the incident that occurred last night following our game against Florida A&M University in Tallahassee involving an Alabama State University football student-athlete.
“We do not condone the actions of the student-athlete, nor are the actions representative of the expectations set forth by the Athletic Department and our University.
“There is zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The student-athlete has been suspended indefinitely from the football program, effective immediately.”
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) also issued an official statement letting it be known that SWAC “does not condone unsportsmanlike behavior of any kind.”
“The Southwestern Athletic Conference has a zero tolerance policy regarding unsportsmanlike conduct,” the statement read. “The Conference Office will work with the two respective member institutions to review all relevant information to ensure that appropriate action is taken against any behavior that violates the league’s code of ethics and conduct.”
We recently asked our followers to give us their do’s and don’ts for homecoming and you all dropped gems in our comment section. Based on your answers here are Homecoming Hopping Do’s and Don’ts!
Every HBCU student and alumni’s favorite time of the year is coming up – yes, we’re talking about homecoming. Homecoming season is just around the corner, a time of celebration, reuniting with old friends and classmates, tailgating, and representing your school. However, not everyone goes back to their school for homecoming. Whether it’s scheduling conflicts or just wanting to experience something new, many people partake in ‘homecoming hopping,’ where they attend another school’s homecoming celebrations.
We recently asked our followers to give us their do’s and don’ts for homecoming and you all dropped gems in our comment section. Based on your answers here are Homecoming Hopping Do’s and Don’ts!
Do: Respect the School’s Traditions :
“Represent but be respectful; that’s all.”
“Respect the school’s traditions and taboos, and if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Act as if you’re a guest in someone’s house; be respectful and enjoy yourself.”
“Always be respectful.”
Don’t: Compare Homecomings :
“Represent your HBCU, but don’t compare your school to others.”
“Don’t make comparisons between homecomings.”
“Show respect, blend in, and support the home team; avoid comparing homecomings.”
Do: Network and Meet New People
“Network, don’t be afraid to meet new people, don’t go out alone, and always respect that you’re not in your city where things may operate differently.”
“Homecoming tours are the best. Have fun, stay aware of your surroundings, make new acquaintances, and always be respectful.”
Don’t: Go With Ill Intentions (i.e. Leave The Foolishness At Home!)
“Don’t behave recklessly; use the common sense your school instilled in you, or don’t come.
“Please, no violence.”
“Make your own wave. vibe off the school and bring ya character and good intentions around the melanin homecomings please. Nobody wanna see you ruin it for everybody. Sneaky Links must be real sneaky. And no means no fellas.”
Do: Go With a Group
“Always stay with a trusted friend.”
“Don’t attend alone.”
Do’s and Don’ts For the Greeks:
“If you’re Greek, make sure to check in.”
“Make sure to check in at the plots.”
“Don’t jump in the front or middle of the chapter line; go to the back.”
“If you’re Greek, check in with your chapter, wear your school’s gear, network, find friends from the same school, check the weather, and bring a cup.”
Homecoming season at HBCUs is a surefire good time no matter what campus you go to, so if you do plan on homecoming hopping this year, remember these tips to enhance your experience. Happy homecoming!
The new film “Dumb Money” tackles financial literacy in a fun, refreshing way that all viewers, including college students, can understand. It’s a film you don’t want to miss!
Understanding financial literacy is an imperative part of life and also one of the themes of the new film “Dumb Money.”
In theaters now, “Dumb Money” is the ultimate David vs. Goliath tale, based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (yes, the mall videogame store) into the world’s hottest company,” according to the official synopsis.
Directed by Craig Gillespie and based on the book “The Antisocial Network” by Ben Mezrich, the film stars Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, and Seth Rogan. It also stars Myha’la Herrold and Talia Ryder as college students who buy into GameStop.
As the characters achieve financial literacy by investing in stock, the film presents a tale that all viewers can learn from.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including budgeting, building and improving credit, saving, borrowing and repaying debt, and investing. Becoming financially literate is crucial as it can help you to make more informed decisions about your finances and manage your money more efficiently.
Many people may struggle with financial literacy because they never learned the basics, including college students.
“We see a lot of students who haven’t had to deal with a whole lot of the complexities of the financial world before college,” says Phil Schuman, president of the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance and executive director of financial wellness and education at Indiana University Bloomington.
For many, the first time encountering the intricacies of financial literacy is during college or after graduation.
For college students, it’s important to be informed about the implications of paying for higher education as it can result in negative consequences after college, like going into unnecessary debt or student loan default, says Andrea Janssen, interim director of the University of Montana’s Financial Education Program.
It is especially important for Black college students to understand financial literacy due to the racial wealth gap that exists in the U.S.
According to Annuity.org, The median white household’s net worth is 10 times the size of the median Black household’s net worth. Black families possess less generational wealth resulting in Black students ending up taking out more student loans rather than receiving help from their families.
A study by the Federal Reserve found that the median Black graduate’s student loan debt is $30,000, $7,000 higher than their white peers. One can gather from this data that many Black students generally have less access to financial literacy education.
College is a wonderful time to learn the ins and outs of financial literacy and how to make informed decisions.
“Financial literacy is important for Black students because for so long that information and those resources were withheld from them. Their parents were denied that information, and, therefore, it was never passed down to the next generation,” said financial planner, Terrance Dedrick. “By learning at an early age, the students will have a better chance at success and be able to accumulate wealth the earlier they can get started.”
To improve financial literacy skills, college students should learn concepts such as budgeting, tracking spending habits, and understanding loans, according to experts.
Budgeting is a key first step in one’s financial literacy journey. Experts advise using the 50-30-20 method, which involves setting aside 50% of your take-home income for your needs, 30% for your wants, and 20% for savings.
It’s also important to track your spending by identifying monthly expenses to include in your budget and using a budgeting app.
BestColleges says that student loans play an important role in bridging the cost gap and allowing Black students to attend college. While true, it is vital to have a complete understanding of student loans before signing any paperwork. “Student loans can be a really effective tool for helping you progress in your life,” Schuman says. “Borrowing more than what you need and then using that money to potentially buy stuff that’s not relevant to your college experience, that’s bad.”
Investopedia notes that becoming financially literate has many benefits including, preventing devastating mistakes, preparing people for emergencies, helping individuals reach their goals, and invoking confidence in one’s decisions.
Everyone has to start somewhere in their financial journey and it’s okay to not know something – ask questions, and commit to learning as it will benefit you in the long run.
“I think the No. 1 point I would make to Black students is to ask if you don’t know. It’s OK not to know.” Dedrick says. “I would also say prioritize and start early and often. Although it may seem like something you can put off until later down the road, you are better suited to start early and won’t have to contribute as much because your money will have more time to grow.”
To learn more about financial literacy in an entertaining way, go watch “Dumb Money” now at a theater near you!
Virginia State University has announced that it will be increasing security measures after two students recently died in shootings within nine days apart from each other.
Last week Virginia State University (VSU) announced that it will be increasing security measures after two students recently died in shootings within nine days apart from each other.
On August 24, VSU freshman, Matthew Gibbs, 19, was found shot dead in a Petersburg neighborhood. Just over a week later, on September 3, VSU sophomore, Adrionna Brooks West, 20, was shot and killed in her car around 11 p.m. in Petersburg.
“The deaths of Matthew Gibbs and Adrionna West deeply impacted our Trojan community,” VSU President Makola M. Abdullah said in a news release. “While these deaths did not happen on our campus, we are no less saddened and angered by the senseless gun violence that stole two promising young scholars who were also members of our Trojan family.”
Following the tragic deaths of Gibbs and West, President Abdullah announced a list of enhanced safety measures that will be added to the campus as well as the surrounding community in collaboration with Petersburg Police and City officials.
The new safety measures at Virginia State University are:
VSU Police will meet every day with Petersburg Police to share intelligence and inform the VSU community of any activity/crimes that may impact students.
VSU Police and Petersburg Police will continue to patrol apartment complexes where students have been assigned.
Police from VSU, Colonial Heights, Chesterfield, and a private security company will continue to monitor hotels where students have been assigned.
VSU Police will be called to the scene of any incident in Petersburg that involves any VSU student.
VSU Police will be alerted to any large gathering of VSU students in Petersburg (including parties).
President Abdullah also said that there are more than 1,200 HD monitored cameras around campus and that the university has hired a private company to provide additional security in residence halls.
Additionally, the school will continue to perform unannounced safety sweeps inside campus residence halls, and security personnel and VSU police officers will maintain a strong presence on campus and at off-campus VSU-assigned housing, according to Abdullah.
“We remain dedicated to providing our Trojan Family a safe and secure environment,” Abdullah said. “While we work to do our part, we cannot guarantee protection against all unknowns. That is why we ask that you partner with us to prioritize safety on and off campus.”
Students who see suspicious or criminal activities or other emergencies on or off campus are encouraged to report them to the Virginia State University Police Department at 804-524-5411 or call 911 for off-campus emergencies.
This includes students who graduated in the spring and summer of 2023, who are now entering the world debt-free.
“Students may have owed anywhere between $100 all the way up $10,000,” said Texas Southern Provost and Sr. VP for Academic Affairs Carl Goodman
Texas Southern Doctoral student Saul Zarco who owed the university $10,000 said the debt forgiveness has taken an immense weight off his shoulders.
“I’m so grateful. I don’t have to worry too much about how I’m going to budget for it because I know it’s covered. It’s not going to take away from me having to decide whether bills have to be paid,” Zacro told FOX 26 Houston. “It means that I don’t have to take out any loans. As a dissertation student, we only take one class, so we don’t qualify for financial aid.”
Goodman explained the significance of Texas Southern’s decision to clear student debt. “When you look at minority students and us being an HBCU, a minority serving institution, and you look at why students aren’t progressing or why they aren’t graduating in a timely fashion, it is because of financial reasons,” said Goodman.
According to FOX 26 Houston, the university is funding the student debt forgiveness through its remaining federal COVID dollars.
The largest historically Black college and university, or HBCU, is NC A&T — in part due to the fact that 13,883 students were enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic school year, which is 400 more students in comparison to the previous year.
According to a release by Yahoo Finance, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is crowned once more with the top spot in which all numbers are based on enrollment.
The school based in Greensboro furthermore showed great promise regarding students making better choices and financial aid: “The increase of its student body population is aided by its faculty and graduate students who have shaped the undergraduate experience,” the release stated.
Additionally, per the article, support services and financial assistances have helped to empower students and increase the school’s retention by 5.3%.
Yahoo Finance
We all know that college is the best four years of your life and there is nothing quite like the Black college experience: The growth of the largest HBCU also stems from the expectation to “strengthen its influence as a doctoral, research, and land-grant university, according to university leaders.”
Here is what you need to know:
• The new student body headcount, up nearly 3% from 2022-23, is believed to maintain North Carolina A&T’s status as the nation’s largest historically Black college or university (HBCU).
• It’s NC A&T’s 10th consecutive year at the helm of the largest HBCU considering student enrollment.
• Enrollment totals for the past three years have also made it the largest HBCU ever.
• The above contributed significantly to North Carolina’s position as having the highest HBCU enrollment of any state in America.
Leaders of the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture have sent out letters to 16 state governors urging them to invest more money in HBCUs.
State-run, land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been underfunded for decades, resulting in a more than $12 billion disparity with white counterpart institutions, leaders of the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack sent lettersto 16 state governors calculating how each state’s land-grant HBCU, established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, has been underfunded per student in state funds from 1987 to 2020 and offered suggestions on possible remedies.
“Unacceptable funding inequities have forced many of our nation’s distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities to operate with inadequate resources and delay critical investments in everything from campus infrastructure to research and development to student support services,” Cardona said in a statement.
Florida A&M University, an 1890 land-grant HBCU, has a $1.9 billion funding gap, according to the Biden Administration.
Cardona and Vilsack sent letters to the governors of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Biden administration said Delaware and Ohio were excluded from the list because they have equitably funded their HBCU land-grant institutions.
The HBCUs affected by the underfunding include:
Alabama A&M University
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Florida A&M University
Fort Valley State University (Georgia)
Kentucky State University
Southern University and A&M College (Louisiana)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Alcorn State University (Mississippi)
Lincoln University (Missouri)
Langston University (Oklahoma)
South Carolina State University
Tennessee State University
Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
Virginia State University
North Carolina A&T State University
Tuskegee University in Alabama is also a land-grant HBCU, but it is a private state-related institution and therefore was not mentioned in the letter to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
According to the letter, in Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and North Carolina, the gap between majority-Black and majority-white land-grant institutions ranged from about $1 to $2 billion.
North Carolina A&T University has a $2 billion funding disparity, compared with North Carolina State University at Raleigh the letter said.
Florida A&M University, an 1890 land-grant HBCU, has a $1.9 billion funding gap, according to the letter.
Tennessee State University has a $2.1 billion disparity in funding, compared to the University of Tennessee- Knoxville, the 1862 land-grant institution.
“This is a situation that clearly predates all of us,” Cardona and Vilsack said. “However, it is a problem that we can work together to solve. In fact, it is our hope that we can collaborate to avoid burdensome and costly litigation that has occurred in several states.”
In honor of National Voters Registration Day we’re shining a light on how to navigate the student voting process. Here is a College Student’s Guide to Voting!
September 19 is National Voter’s Registration Day!
September 19 is National Voters Registration Day, the nation’s biggest nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to making sure every eligible American is registered and #VoteReady.
Since its inception in 2012, National Voter Registration Day has helped register over 5 million Americans.
Between state and local elections as well as the quickly approaching presidential primaries and the general election in 2024, it is a great time to make sure you’re registered to vote and prepared for election season. This is especially true for college students as they face a unique set of obstacles when it comes to voting.
Navigating the student voting process may seem daunting but don’t worry, HBCU Buzz has got you covered. Here is a College Student’s Guide to Voting!
How To Cast Your Vote as a College Student
Begin the voter registration process by visiting vote.gov. There you can register to vote, check and update your registration status, and find voter registration deadlines.
Many students registered in their home state and attending school out of state opt for submitting absentee ballots (also called mail-in and vote-by-mail ballots). Sending in an absentee ballot means you don’t need to travel to your hometown polling location in order to vote. Make sure you follow your state’s deadlines for requesting and returning your absentee ballot. Also, note whether the deadline is for when your ballot must be postmarked or for when it must be received by the elections office.
However, if you maintain a permanent or temporary residence in the state where you attend college, you can change your voter registration to that state so you can vote in person. Remember that registering to vote in more than one state is illegal – either register where your permanent home is located or the state where you attend school.
Twenty-two states allow students to vote using a college student ID, while others require students to bring additional identification with them.
Ahead of the 2024 election, Republican-controlled states have targeted college students’ voting power through new proposals to change photo ID requirements for high school and college students.
For example, laws enacted in Idaho this year prohibit the use of student IDs to register to vote or cast ballots. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Idaho will join the following list of states that prohibit student IDs as acceptable forms of identification to vote: North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas
As Georgia bars the use of student IDs from private universities, it has made it more difficult for students attending Atlanta HBCUs, Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, and Spelman and Morehouse College to participate in Georgia’s competitive US Senate and presidential elections, according to voting rights advocates.
In Ohio, a new law further restricted substitute voter ID options by prohibiting utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks, and other documents that students have used before.
In Texas, GOP state Rep. Carrie Isaac introduced a bill in February to prohibit polling places on college campuses. This bill has not yet made it out of committee.
According to BestColleges, states that allow student ID+ are:
Arizona
Student ID Status:
Public college or university ID + Photo + Document with physical address
Voting Rights Lab Note:
“While Arizona law provides that student IDs issued by a public university may be used to vote if they include a photo and address, it does not appear that any of the state’s public colleges issue student ID cards that meet this criteria.”
Alabama
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Arkansas
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Georgia
Student ID Status:
Public college or university ID + Photo
Iowa
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo + Unexpired expiration date + Document with proof of residence
Voting Rights Lab Note:
“If there is no address on the ID card (which is the case for student IDs in Iowa), it must be paired with a secondary document proving address (e.g., lease, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, etc.).”
Indiana
Student ID Status:
Public college or university ID + Photo + Unexpired expiration date
“A Utah student ID may only be used as voter ID if paired with other documentation that, when combined, prove name and current residence (e.g., utility bill, bank statement, birth certificate, employee ID card, etc.)”
Wisconsin
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo + Unexpired expiration date + Signature + Issue date
Voting Rights Lab Note:
“If a Wisconsin student ID card is expired, it may still be used if in conjunction with a separate document that proves current enrollment, such as a tuition fee receipt, enrollment verification letter, or class schedule.”
Wyoming
Student ID Status:
Public college or university ID + Photo
States that allow Student ID+ on a Provisional Ballot are:
Alaska
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Colorado
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Florida
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo + Signature required
Voting Rights Lab Note:
“If the student ID lacks a signature, the student may still use it if coupled with a second document that has their signature.”
Missouri
Student ID Status:
Public college or university ID + Photo + Unexpired expiration date
Montana
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Oklahoma
Student ID Status:
Public college or university ID + Photo + Unexpired expiration date
Rhode Island
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Washington
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
West Virginia
Student ID Status:
Student ID + Photo
Learn About Your Voter Rights and Requirements
It’s important to know your voting rights as a student and advocate for yourself if they have been violated.
Remember that your vote matters! Your vote has the power to make a significant difference in elections. Taking the time to register and vote may seem like a demanding task on top of schoolwork and classes but exercising your democratic right is worth it in the end.
