This message was sent out to everyone who has an NSU email account from Dr. Meyers, NSU President, in response to an editorial (Black Colleges Often Fail Their Students) by a former member of NSU Board of Visitors, B. David Peck
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Black Colleges Often Fail Their Students

By B. DAVID PECK

The U.S. NEWS and World Report's ranking last month of the nation's best Historically Black Colleges and Univesities is a deprerssing reminder of how poorly Virginia's African-American students are served by these anachronistic schools.

At three of the five HBCUs in Virginia, more han 70 percent of the entering freshman do not graduate. Only Hampton and Virginia State did better. Because the ranking and the criteria used to compile the list were determined by the presidents and administrators of the black colleges, there is no way to compare the education received by these graduates with all the other colleges.

In the September/October issue of the NAACP magazine, Crisis, black educators comprehensively critique the HBCUs. Considering that they describe many problems that threaten the survival of these colleges, their suggestions for reviving them are sophomoric. "The to-do-list is fairly clear," the academic leaders say. "Schools need to learn how to market and recrut in this highly competitive post segregation era."

The presumption is that HBCUs can improve their chances of survival if tey better communicate their so called unique ability to eduate African Americans. But the applicants need reassurance that if they attend those universities, they will be able to compete in our ever more technologically advanced society; they will be able to contend for the best jobs; and after receiving a diploma, they will be equipped to build and sustain a middle-class standard of living.

Until most of the HBCUs can demonstrate that they can provide a competitive educational product, better marketing will not enable them to defend their abysmal record.

The implication is that prospective applicants can be enticed by the empathetic environment found at these black universities, a renowned athletic program or testimonials from famous alumni. An anecdote in the same Crisis article should dispel this notion. It reports that when 3,576 scholarships, averaging $10,000, were awarded to black students, less than 25 percent of them chose to attend an HBCU.

If the student's decisions were influenced by their counselors, why did three-quarters of them not choose an HBCU? These intelligent consumers were dismissive of banal mission statements and could care less whether or not these hoary institutions survive. There were prepared to commit their time and resources, but only if the colleges prove that the student's education is their top priority.

During my six years on the Board of Visitors at Norfolk State University, considered one of the
"best" HBCUs by US News and World Report, it was clear the student's education was not the top priority. The needs for more effective teachers, for resources dedicated to remedial education and for better management of the financial resources were apparent.

At my last meeting with then - President Harrison Wilson in the late 1970s, he did not deny that other priorities were, to him, at least as important as the individual student's education. He emphasized the significance of non-academic programs to the alumni and for the prestige of the college. As for the replacement of ineffectual teachers, department heads who continued to fail to achieve accreditation, and dismissal of incompetent administrators, he told me "If we did not employ these folks, they could not get similar jobs at other state colleges."

When my resignation was reported in the newspaper, then - Gov. Dalton asked me for an explanation. I told him that the president was primarily responsible and should be held accountable, and that the State Council of Higher Education provided no oversight. Continually underperforming colleges should be closed; and the funds earmarked for those schools should be used instead to subsidize stdents who wish to attend a successful HBCU or a nearby state supported college. The governor told me that no one from any other college - neither alumni, teacher nor administrators - had such complaints or would support my suggestions.

In the 1970s, I failed to make a difference for the students at one HBCU. Thirty years later, according to the U.S. News report, the best HBCUs continue to lose many thousands of aspiring men and women before they have completed their studies.

It is time to learn why so many African-American freshman who sought to continue their education did not get what the colleges and the state promised to provide, and to decide what we intend to do about it,

B. David Peck, of Richmond, was appointed to the Board of Visitors of Norfolk State University by Gov. Linwood Holton and reappointed by Gov. John Dalton in the 1970s. He served on the committee that selected President Harrison Wilson. In 2004, Peck endowed a scholarship at NSU in honor of Dr. Hugo Owens.

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President's Response

On behalf of Norfolk State University, it is important to challenge the perspective offered in the recent “Other Views” editorial (Black colleges often fail their students; Mon., Nov. 12) authored by former NSU Board of Visitors member B. David Peck. Let me start by saying that I am certain that Mr. Peck and the other members of the Board of Visitors during Mr. Peck’s tenure served the University at that time to the best of their abilities. Acknowledging that Mr. Peck is entitled to his opinion, personally I have no doubt that each of the former leaders and presidents of Norfolk State University were dedicated, astute, and brilliant in their leadership given the constraints of the times in which they served.

Norfolk State University has a tradition of access, effectively contributing to the diverse educational opportunities the public colleges and universities provide in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This diversity of educational opportunities is one of the Commonwealth’s strengths. For talented and resolute students, regardless of the level of pre-college preparation or socio-economic status of the household or personal maturity level, one or more of the Commonwealth’s public universities and colleges is positioned to address those students’ needs and aspirations thereby enabling the realization of their dreams. That’s what education is about in our book – the realization of dreams – and that’s what this Commonwealth invests in its future.

It is well documented by innumerable sources that an educated citizenry benefits all of society. The elite private universities have their place; the revered and highly selective public universities have their place; the small, intimate, personal universities like NSU also have their place. All of us share a common goal – to prepare good citizens. Together we can offer to any student who enters our domains a chance to realize the American dream.

In today’s world in which change is happening more rapidly than ever, the decades of the ’70s, ’80s, and even the ’90s represent generations in knowledge and its dissemination, technology and its increasingly strong impact on daily living, societal shifts and values as the world has become flat, as well as demands and expectations of public institutions of higher education. The fact that NSU thrives today is proof that this university has kept abreast of these changes. The magnitude of NSU’s contributions throughout our 72-year history, as well as those of our sister public universities and colleges in Virginia, and the impact of these contributions are difficult to quantify. The accomplishments of NSU alumni in every area indicate that these are priceless!

Similarly, the contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their value-added to the American higher education landscape are well documented and need no defense. Virginia Tech researchers Mills and Mykerezi in “The Wage Earnings Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities” published in the Southern Economic Journal most recently added their work to this body of knowledge. The Crisis magazine article to which Mr. Peck refers is actually quite complimentary of HBCUs. Read these and other studies/articles for yourself and you will understand why Norfolk State is proud of its HBCU heritage.

As for the rankings of HBCUs in the recent edition of US News and World Report (USNWR), NSU, along with over 65 educational institutions across the United States through the Education Conservancy, elected not to participate in the USNWR rankings process. While we congratulate those HBCUs who achieved their ranking goal by this medium, NSU and the other universities affiliated with the Education Conservancy seek more effective and accurate rankings for all institutions. Certainly NSU, as other colleges and universities, has work to do on many fronts. The important thing is that we are doing it. We believe in the promise of higher education and we work hard every day.

On behalf of Norfolk State University, we invite all to explore NSU’s campus, our programs and our people. You might see the state’s largest and most selective Clean-room at the Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research; you might learn how a robotic telescope is unraveling some of the mysteries of the universe; you might get an update on the latest research on a male contraceptive being developed by one of our professors; you might discuss new hotbeds of terrorism with an NSU political science professor; you might enjoy the artistic talents of our music and fine arts students, for example, or the dreams and experiences of our other students; you might learn of the real history of the birth of our nation. Take a look at the NSU of the 21st century and find out about us for yourself.

Of this I am certain: When you visit Norfolk State University you will experience an NSU which is current, credible, relevant, and most certainly a source of pride for the Hampton Roads area, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Then you will understand why I am honored beyond measure to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, to have the privilege of leading this fine institution, and to live and work in the company of the learned and respected Norfolk State University family.



Carolyn W. Meyers

President

quote:

On behalf of Norfolk State University, we invite all to explore NSU’s campus, our programs and our people. You might see the state’s largest and most selective Clean-room at the Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research; you might learn how a robotic telescope is unraveling some of the mysteries of the universe; you might get an update on the latest research on a male contraceptive being developed by one of our professors; you might discuss new hotbeds of terrorism with an NSU political science professor; you might enjoy the artistic talents of our music and fine arts students, for example, or the dreams and experiences of our other students; you might learn of the real history of the birth of our nation. Take a look at the NSU of the 21st century and find out about us for yourself.

I really like the president's response.

yeah she said "F u pay me" without cursing.

My hats off to Madame President