Nickira Anderson
J325
11/21/2011
The Life of a Historically Black College or University Student
“There’s something about being a student at an HBCU that I cannot explain” says sophomore Josh Perrin of Hampton University. “Sometimes I wish I went to a traditional school like USC or UGA because of things like the big football games and a more diverse population but I quickly snap out of it and remember why I love going to an HBCU.” HBCU stand for historically black college or university and are erected all through out the south in the United States. HBCU’s were established because blacks couldn’t attend school with whites back in American history, so they started institutions where blacks could get a good education. Since their establishments, HBCU’s have flourished and decayed. Historically black college’s and universities are different from other traditional institutions.
“There are tons of differences that set HBCU’s apart from the rest of the schools, even little things like fried chicken wednesdays” says senior Darien Grant who is also Miss South Carolina State University 2011. “There is a sense of security, I know all of my professors and have obtained amazing connections all because of that personable relationship I have with my school.” Most HBCU’s are private with smaller populations and predominantly african american. Although most of the students are african american, there are students who are other races that attend these schools. Hampton University and Howard University have the highest number of non-black students out of HBCU’s because of their prestige. HBCU’s are also filled with history. For example, the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation was read aloud on the campus of Hampton University, freeing the first set of slaves in the 1800‘s. Another positive to HBCU’s are some have academic programs that allow them to be on the fast track to graduation. Patience Canty of Hampton University graduated from Mauldin High School in 2010. Her expected graduation date is 2014 but since she’s in the pharmacy program she will graduate in 2016 with a Ph.D.
Although there are many positives about HBCU’s, there are also negatives. One of the biggest problems that many HBCU’s face are general maintenance of the schools. Due to their private status, HBCU’s don’t get much government funding. If there isn’t much funding from the government, then how are they getting money? Expensive tuition rates and alumni donations are ways that HBCU’s receive funding, but combined still isn’t enough to up keep the institutions. The biggest factor is that programs are being taken away because there isn’t enough money to cover them. “I know that the athletic programs are suffering and departments are starting to cut down on certain things. I heard the other day that Howard’s (University) mass communications department is closing because there is no money to keep it open” says senior Kevin Precia at Benedict College. Physical maintenance of the schools is often the problem also. “Seriously there were raccoons living in the roof of my dorm, you could hear them at night” says sophomore Rian Hayes at Hampton University. Since most HBCU’s were built decades ago, the facilities are old and have failed to be renovated. “One thing I hate about being at an HBCU is that everything isn’t laid out like it is at USC, none of the offices like registrar or financial aid is organized so it makes it harder to get stuff together” says Precia. This problem also goes back to lack of financial support. If HBCU’s had the money that traditional schools get to up keep their schools, a lot of problems would be solved.
“I just love being in a class with people my own race, because back in high school I was always the only black kid, now i’m not” says Grant. Being a student at an HBCU is special route of experience that many students chose to take. Although they give up huge rivalry football games, the risk of their programs being cut, and general academic organization, they still find a way to make their experience worth it. The sense of family that students feel at their school is the main reason they love to be students at HBCU’s. “I feel like my professors are my parents and my classmates are my brothers and sisters, it’s just one big family” says Marty Dennis of Claflin University. HBCU’s are very distinct and have left their mark on the United States as a necessity to our society.
