HBCU Digest

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Virginia Archive

Friday

24

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Former Va. State Student Says He Killed Drug Dealer in Self-Defense

Written by , Posted in Crime, Virginia, Virginia State University

Haunting details, intrigue and inconsistencies in the testimony of Ryan Simms, a former Virginia State University student on trial for the murder of Tyrail Hughes, an alleged drug dealer. From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Simms said he became scared when Hughes walked toward him with a .38-caliber revolver, although witness accounts differ as to whether Hughes was pointing it directly as Simms. Simms said he turned and tried to run, but when Hughes raised his gun, Simms pulled out his pistol and opened fire.

Hughes was hit by four shots, two of which were fatal. “I wasn’t trying to kill him; essentially I was just trying to escape,” said Simms, who emptied his gun of all nine rounds.

 

Tuesday

14

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Tuesday

14

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Staff Turnover, Training at Root of Norfolk State Audit Questions

Written by , Posted in Finance, Norfolk State University, Virginia

images-8Officials at Norfolk State University say that the hiring of outside accounting vendors and aggressive searches for permanent finance staff should soon solve all questions surrounding a recent independent audit of the university.

The Virginian-Pilot today reports on the public disclosure of the efforts, surfacing now after a member of the NSU Board of Visitor’s comments about a two-year review process by tthe Virginia State Auditor of Public Accounts, which in 2011 that a determination of the university’s financials could not be finished due to “material weaknesses” in the university’s financial controls.

The audit problems have dealt with internal processes, such as producing financial statements for audits and management purposes. It does not affect the issuing of paychecks or paying bills, (NSU Board of Vistors Member Thomas) Chewning said.

It’s not a question of cash capability or people not getting paid,” he said. “It’s getting financial statements that tie everything together in the right annual audit way.”

Norfolk State has until June 30 to report back on improvements in its financial systems.

Tuesday

14

May 2013

1

COMMENTS

HBCUs to Welcome More Than 150 Brazilian Students in Exchange Program This Fall

Written by , Posted in Alcorn State University, Delaware, Delaware State University, Dillard University, Fisk University, Florida, Florida A&M University, Georgia, Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Lincoln University (Pa.), Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Morehouse College, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, Pennsylvania, Savannah State University, South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, University of the District of Columbia, Virginia, Virginia State University, Xavier University of Louisiana

A partnership between the United States and Brazil will bring more than 150 Brazilian college students to the United States this fall to study at historically black colleges and universities.

The partnership is a part of the HBCU-Brazil Alliance, a program created to increase the number of minority graduates and professionals in the industries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while exposing  Afro-Brazilian students and faculty to successful research, economic development and social advancement within a context of historical and systemic racism and discrimination.

The Alliance is an arm of the US-Brazil Joint Action Plan on Racial Equality, developed by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and managed in partnership with the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES’).

‘This partnership is just one example of the Alliance’s commitment to diversity, cultural sensitivity and to providing a world-class education to an eager pool of student talent from throughout Brazil,” said Dr. T. Joan Robinson, Chair of the HBCU-Brazil Alliance and Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Morgan State University. “We are honored to represent and build upon the collaborative interests of the United States through international engagement and academic support.”

More than 20 HBCUs will welcome Brazilian exchange students for a one-year exchange program. Students will live on campus and study in a variety of undergraduate degree programs with a S.T.E.M. focus, with all tuition, fees and room and board covered by the Brazilian government. The program’s goal is to eventually welcome 1,000 Brazilian students to HBCU campuses. Participating HBCUs include:

  • Alcorn State University
  • Delaware State University
  • Dillard University
  • Fisk University
  • Florida A&M University
  • Hampton University
  • Howard University
  • Jackson State University
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Lincoln University
  • Morehouse College
  • Morgan State University
  • North Carolina A&T State University
  • Savannah State University
  • South Carolina State University
  • Southern University
  • Spelman College
  • Tennessee State University
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Virginia State University
  • Xavier University of Louisiana

Saturday

11

May 2013

2

COMMENTS

In Virginia State v. Brandon Randleman, the University Will Be the Biggest Loser

Written by , Posted in Editorial, Virginia, Virginia State University

518088ef890f9.imageWhen students are ostracized from a university community, even outside of suspension or expulsion, they become adversaries to the spirit and strength of the HBCU mission. They build interpersonal resentment against administration, build angst among their families and peers towards an institution, and vow to never support the college financially or with goodwill in their personal lives.

Such is the case in the ongoing saga of Virginia State University senior Brandon Randleman, the former Student Government Association president arrested and charged with hazing last month. Randleman says he pleaded guilty to the charges after being coerced by a threat against his graduation by the Petersburg Commonwealth Attorney and his former professor, Cassandra Connover.

VSU now says if Randleman pays a $75 fine for violating university student conduct rules, he can graduate and all is forgiven. Except, a planned civil suit against the university may bring repair to his scarred reputation, and the opposite impact to the university who scorned him in the name of anti-hazing.

Colleges and universities have to take tough stances on hazing and the liability of its real or potential impact. No school knows this better than Virginia State, which in the last two months has seen the removal of a student government president and the death of two freshmen because of hazing.

But in dealing with hazing, Virginia State and other HBCUs must find a way to sternly address the issue without villainizing perpetrators. Immaturity and poor decision-making can be healed by proper consequences, but bitterness is a lasting and pervasive antagonist of HBCU progress.

Randleman appears to be one of the most esteemed members of the Virginia State Class of 2013. For whatever his level of bad behavior in this hazing story, it’s highly likely he’ll be redeemed in the years to come. And it’s also likely that Virginia State will be, in his eyes, irredeemable for the way it pursued and persecuted him in making a stand against the act of hazing.

That will mean scores of people close to Randleman will also have a negative view of Virginia State. Friends, family, future employers and employees of his will directly or indirectly be exposed to an animosity against the school that will linger for decades.

When his role in a hazing investigation is forgotten and replaced with professional accomplishment, will Randleman remember Virginia State for all of the wrong reasons?

Someday, Virginia State, under new leadership and vision, will attempt to reach out to him to support the university. Maybe it will be successful, maybe it won’t. But it wouldn’t be surprising if he made it as difficult for VSU to recruit him as a donor and advocate as they once made it difficult for him to become an alumnus.

Friday

10

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Saint Augustine’s Will Not Seek to Acquire Saint Paul’s College

Written by , Posted in North Carolina, Saint Augustine's University, Saint Paul's College, Virginia

college-photo_13498._445x280-zmmSaint Augustine’s University today announced that it will not move forward with plans to acquire Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA. SAU had initially hinted in late 2012 that it would consider taking on Saint Paul’s, which was struggling with low enrollment and questions surrounding its accreditation.

“This was a very difficult decision to make.  We explored several options to in an effort to make the acquisition viable for Saint Augustine’s University.  However, after completing our due diligence, we concluded that the acquisition of Saint Paul’s College, at this time, would significantly challenge the fiscal stability of Saint Augustine’s University,” said Saint Augustine’s University president, Dianne Boardley Suber.”

Saint Paul’s will be able appeal to the Saint Augustine’s Board of Trustees at its meeting on May 31 to reconsider its decision.

Tuesday

7

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Virginia State Announces Anti-Hazing Initiatives

Written by , Posted in Leadership, Virginia, Virginia State University

Virginia State University President Keith Miller today announced a series of anti-hazing efforts aimed at reducing the potential of harm and liability for students. In a detailed memo, Dr. Miller described the university’s current hazing policy as ‘zero tolerance,’ but says that organizational culture on the college campus is among the “more meaningful aspects of life,” and requires a more stringent approach to monitoring from administration.

The initiatives come just weeks after the drowning death of two VSU freshmen, who were killed during initiation ritual in the Appomattox River near the campus, for an organization that was not an authorized or recognized student group.

“While being associated with a group with members of like-minded beliefs and interests is one of the more meaningful aspects of life, hazing is a hidden and serious challenge,” he said. “Hazing undermines the values of the group, the university and our society. Therefore, it is important to continually examine the practices of organizations. It is not enough to certify organizations and then proceed with a laissez faire attitude toward evaluation and practices. Today’s organizational behavior must be frequently and thoroughly monitored.”

The university unveiled a Task Force on Hazing that will develop more comprehensive counseling and awareness building activities for VSU students around the following concepts.

  • Freshmen
  • Social Organizations
  • Tolerance
  • History and Future
  • Culture
  • Advisors
  • Educational Training

Additionally, Virginia State also announced an Online Student Organization Guide which will update in real-time the university’s official list of current sanctioned and unsanctioned organizations eligible for intake on the campus. Dr. Miller also hinted at  VSU hosting a major anti-hazing conference, changes in GPA requirements for intake, and a coalition of parents and administrators working with campus organizations.

“We anticipate many additional initiatives. Preliminary plans are being made for ongoing student campaigns against hazing. We are opting for a hazing free community, which will require a coordinated effort throughout campus. We will be relentless with our anti-hazing activities. We will help organizations design educational activities that focus on the purpose, values and function of the organization. There are myriad alternatives and each will be explored.”

Saturday

4

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Saturday

4

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

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