On Friday, over 300 Howard University students crowded the administration building, protesting problems with on-campus housing, delays in financial aid payments and other administration policies. The group also threatened a sit-in before they were turned away from the doors.
Students say they received a text message Thursday night telling them to wear all black and join the protest. Kristopher Owens, a junior advertising major who organized the protest, said it all started when he attempted to have information processed in the administration building earlier this year. He was told that he would have to make an appointment and wouldn’t be able to get one until September 9, although classes started over a week ago. Sitting in class one day, he decided “enough is enough”.
For more on the protest and an interview with Owens, visit I’m Keeping Up.
@ N.O. Finest… that little snippet that concreteloop posted is not the main reason howard students protested. There are so many issues that needs to be handled besides what was described. There was a list of demands and they did go through a chain of command to make sure those demands were getting heard. You might have thought it was just some students who randomly decided to stand in front of the “A building” holding signs… no, they were actually very organized. I do believe there are some that try to play the system but we definitely do have bad administrators. I had a full scholarship (not a loan… a scholarship) from Howard and I graduated magna cum-laude (on the dean’s list every year… never had a D or a F in my life) but EVERY semester for 4 years I had to FIGHT to get validated…. you tell me what is wrong with that picture?!?
Howard is a great school and they love their students, no question. The administrative issues can be fixed with honest communication and more staff, who could be part-time or seasonal–but these recommendations probly dont get consideration. But no question that the learning is great and the staff and faculty and administration love thier students and the school and the legacy. HU students have a right and should speak out — they also should know that when they leave Howard and go out into the world, they need to give something back to the school: Donate money to alma mater–no excuses, Too many alumni have gone on and not looked back and its not because they hate the school its because they don’t understand the value of alumni giving and endowments. So students speak up (Howard teaches that) but do your part and get educated and then give back. Staff, admin. & faculty, also step up to make the administrative experience better. It can be done.
I believe HBCU’s have run their course…during segregation they we were able to support our schools and our finest students went to them…now with integration funding has dropped to levels that barely help to sustain with federal aid and top black students and athletes are going to larger majority schools…I think it’s the beginning of the end for them as more black students leave the community…
I’m Sorry this is 2009.
HBCU’s are rather outdated.
I can assure you the world is not like the universe that HBCU’s educate.
I can assure you that Sasha and Malia are not going to attend a HBCU.
And it seems the students know that this school is a little backwards.
Deal in reality and truth and learn to deal with all types of students and points of view.
I’m Sorry this is 2009.
HBCU’s are rather outdated.
I can assure you the world is not like the universe that HBCU’s educate.
I can assure you that Sasha and Malia are not going to attend a HBCU.
And it seems the students know that this school is a little backwards.
Deal in reality and truth and learn to deal with all types of students and points of view.
Thanks J. Dakar.
I attend FAMU and have friends that attend majority schools. These financial aid issues are not exclusive to HBCU’s as previously suggested. The difference is they are highlighted by the media far more. Issues lie with administration to funding availability. With the economic downturn, the faulty system design is becoming more of a forefront issue because we can no longer just get buy as before. I have thought about transferring to FSU, but I would encounter the same issue that occur now. So why bother, I will continue to support FAMU and the changes that have occurred under Dr. Ammons. I will give back to my school, with hopes that maybe one day alumni support will aid my school as it does with some majority schools.
This has become a common on HBCU campuses. The administration and the student body having major communication issues. And they wonder why Black studnets are avoiding HBCUs. I attended Grambling State University and we had the same communication issues then and they are still having them now. Just a couple of weeks ago the students had a protest. But my question to the current students at HBCUs is: What do you do after the protest? So many times administrations does a quick fix to an issue and you usually have to the same problems the following semester. Who’s going to be the next advocate for all HBCUs? Who’s going to step up to the plate and take back what has left among Black institutions of higher learning?
It’s all about taking a stand
or falling for the same ole crap year after year!
Bravo students!!!!
I’m gonna have 2 agree with Pierre on that 1, nothing but hoodrats and thugs running around HU now! and theres a rason I didnt choose and HBCU, it’s not a reflection of the real world! and the education yea its ok, but it 4 damn sure wont take u places like UM will
@ HU girl half the names u mentioned were drop outs! minus Sorors Toni Morrison, Phylicia Rashad and Thurgood Marshall!
University of MIAMI! all day u heard!
@ Howard Girl,
First off, I understand that there are many views to this story that are not mentioned. I also went on to do a little research on the story myself (before posting) and there is still little being said from the gentleman who garnered the protest. After reading the info, I believe what he is saying is that something had to be validated. In most instances, “validation” has to deal with the FAFSA information being reported by the STUDENT and PARENT (if applicable) and then submitted to the schools you list on the FAFSA. The schools then have a way to contact the student. here at the university I work at and attended, we contact our students by email (not by letter). It is up to the student to review their email accounts. If they come to our office, we also tell them and give them the info. They can actually print out this information online. But AGAIN it’s all about the timing of everything. Please don’t procrastinate. and remember, you are NOT the ONLY student going to college.
@ Howard Girl,
If you only had scholarships, what was there to “Validate”? Your enrollment? What were the scholarship stipulations before processing every year? That’s the information on the Rules and Regulations presented to you BEFORE accepting the scholarship.
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