Students at Albany State University organized a massive walkout during a presentation by school president Art Dunning this afternoon, citing concerns over a new mission statement for its consolidation with Darton State College which does not mention or refer to the school’s history as an historically black institution.
Albany State students protest during ceremony over the new Albany State mission statement. pic.twitter.com/Lb8SupMN9M
— FOX 31 WFXL-TV (@WFXL) March 11, 2016
HBCU status is a federal designation established by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which defines black colleges as “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”
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Officials from the University of Georgia System say that the system will not petition the US Department of Education to forfeit its HBCU status, which will make the newly consolidated school eligible for exclusive federal funding earmarked for institutional and student support at all HBCUs.
I am glad the students are paying attention to the details of the merger. I am disappointed in Art Dunning for serving as a well-paid pawn for the GA Board of Regents.