HBCU News, Commentary and Information
Tuesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Hampton University, Sports, Virginia
Hampton University is headed to its first NCAA softball tournament in 17 years. They will face the University of Florida this Friday at 6:00 p.m. in Gainesville.
Tuesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Finance, Norfolk State University, Virginia
Officials 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
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, 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:
Saturday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Editorial, Virginia, Virginia State University
When 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
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in North Carolina, Saint Augustine's University, Saint Paul's College, Virginia
Saint 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
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, 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.
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
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Virginia, Virginia State University
Saturday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Hampton University, Sports, Virginia
“This is unbelievable,” said (Hampton Head Coach Maurice) Pierce. “To win two championships in one year, in this conference, is a tremendous blessing. Both teams worked together and the men were able to feed off the women. These wins are an attribute of these two teams working together as one.”
Wednesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Legal, Virginia, Virginia State University
Brandon Randleman, a senior at Virginia State University and Student Government Association president, has asked for his guilty plea in a hazing case to be thrown out and sent to trial. The request comes as Randleman now alleges that his plea was coerced by prosecution, who suggested that he would not graduate if he did not accept a plea deal.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Randleman and two other defendants pled guilty in exchange for a month of probation and a reversal of the charges in May if all court mandated conditions were met. Randleman now says that Commonwealth Attorney and Virginia State professor Cassandra Conover, for whom he interned and took two classes as her student, suggested that his graduation would be jeopardized if he didn’t cooperate.
“Randleman immediately protested, saying, “I did not do anything wrong, I never hazed anybody, I am not guilty.” But the motion says Conover continued to pressure Randleman, telling him to “man up.”
The motion says that when Randleman said the guilty plea would “mess with his reputation,” Conover replied: “It’s either your reputation or graduation. … Make a choice.”
Conover has denied the allegations, and says that Randleman was fully aware of all charges, and his ability to have an attorney present.
Wednesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Norfolk State University, Students, Virginia
Cleon Disnew and his daughter Alvernia will graduate from Norfolk State University this Saturday, both with undergraduate degrees in mass communications and psychology, respectively. The ceremony will create a timeless moment in the university’s commencement fun facts, but for Cleon, it will be the realization of more than a decade of working to overcome illiteracy and a learning disorder to achieve the dream of higher education. From the release:
“At the urging of his family and due to the demands of work and church, Disnew began attending NSU in 1996 where he began learning how to read and write while pursuing a music degree. During that time, he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder—something that had plagued him all his life. After a year at NSU, the stresses and struggles of life—raising a family, working, going to school— took their toll on him and he dropped out. More than 10 years went by—in fall 2009, he finally returned.”
“It’s been like coming up the rough side of the mountain,” said Disnew. But despite his difficulties, he credits NSU with helping him reach this important day in his life. “I was intimidated the first time I came here and then 10 years later,” he said. “There are a lot of good people here. There are people here who naturally try to help get you to where you need to go.”
Friday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alumni, Hampton University, Virginia
The NFL dreams of Hampton University alumnus and former Pirate football player Xavier Warren were vastly different from many of his former teammates. While they dreamed of a playing career at the next level, Warren had dreams of being a league executive.
Now, as the 2013 NFL Draft rolls through the weekend and the latter rounds open up opportunities for players from historically black colleges and universities, Warren is looking to make a name and career for his clients seeking NFL contracts, and for himself as a burgeoning sports agent. From GoDanRiver.com:
“This is my passion: to educate players,” he said. “I just want to be an assistant to prospective, future NFL players but also any current NFL players that are in need of an agent or an individual to turn to, that will take the time to educate them and show them how the business is so that they understand why they’re getting released or why their getting cut or why an initial price tag is this or what you should be doing to make sure you have a sustainable career after football.”
Wednesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University
Authorities today found a body in the Appomattox River, and believe it is the body of Jauwan Holmes, the second Virginia State University student who went missing after an initiation ritual for a non-campus organization turned tragic last Saturday morning. From WRIC:
“Saturday’s incident wouldn’t be the first time VSU students have died as part of an initiation process. In 1979, two VSU (then called Virginia State College) drowned in the Appomattox River while taking part in an initiation “going over” ritual, according to the book “Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing and Binge Drinking” by Hank Nuwer.”
Marvell Edmondson was positively identified yesterday after days of underwater and and sonar search efforts over the last five days. VSU today announced that a campus memorial service for Holmes and Edmondson will be held on Friday beginning at noon.
Police yesterday charged four men in connection with the drowning and disappearance of the two freshmen.
Tuesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University
Reuters today reports that four men have been each charged with five counts of felony hazing in connection with the drowning death of Virginia State University freshman Marvell Edmondson, and the disappearance of freshman Jauwan Holmes.
Edmondson’s body was found just days after he and Holmes were believed to have been drowned in the currents of the Appomattox River in an initiation ritual for the Men of Honor, an organization which actively recruited VSU students but was not a sanctioned campus student organization. From Reuters:
“The four men charged with hazing were linked to the “Men of Honor” group, police said. They include James A. Mackey, 35 of Midlothian; freshman Cory D. Baytop, 26 of Newport News; and freshman Eriq K. Benson, 19, of Quinton.
Police said Charles E Zollicoffer, 29, had also been charged but was not yet in custody.”
Tuesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University
Virginia State University today confirmed the identity of a body found in the Appomattox River as Marvell Edmondson, one of two VSU freshmen who went missing last Saturday after an initiation ritual for an unaffiliated campus organization turned tragic. Search teams composed of several county and state police officials continue to search for Jauwan Holmes.
“We continue to grieve for these two young Trojans,” says VSU President Keith T. Miller. “We trust this development provides a sense of relief to Marvell’s family and pray for both of our students’ families.”
Monday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University
Authorities recovered a body from the Appomattox River earlier this afternoon, and officials with the Chesterfield County Police are waiting to to confirm if it is the body of one of two missing Virginia State University students who disappeared in the river last Saturday night.
VSU freshmen Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmondson disappeared early Saturday morning after eyewitnesses said the pair was among a group of Virginia State students who attempted to walk across the river as part of an initiation ritual for the Men of Honor, an group that university officials say has never been authorized by or affiliated with the school.
The search for the other missing student has been suspended for the evening, and will resume tomorrow.
Monday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University
Multiple news outlets in and around Petersburg, VA. are reporting that the disappearance of Virginia State University freshmen Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmondson is tied to an initiation ritual of a non-authorized campus organization, the Men of Honor. According to reports, Holmes and Edmonson were among a group of students who attempted to swim the Appomattox River last Saturday shortly after midnight, but have not been seen since.
In an interview with the HBCU Digest, Virginia State spokesperson Thomas Reed said that the Men of Honor is not and has never been a sanctioned group on the campus. Reed also clarified details surrounding a mandatory curfew for residential students last night.
“Family members, friends and classmates spoke, and as could be expected, many people were emotional. Frustrations boiled over, fingers were being pointed out of anger or frustration. A group of individuals talked about going to the river to look for the two students. That’s the last thing we want at this point. We don’t want this to turn into anything more for our students than it already is.”
Reed said VSU Police have been assisting with the operation, and are among five law enforcement agencies working on the effort. Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation and search effort, which today continued for the third straight day. According to Reed, no indication has been given on how long the search will continue.
“Family members are obviously distraught,” said Reed. “Its just unimaginable. We just want to offer as much support as we can to help lighten their burden.”
Virginia State officials say that the Office of Student Counselors will be available for as long as needed. On Twitter, VSU students and supporters offered words of prayer and hope.
There are so many different stories about the situation at VSU. Either way they’re in my prayers!
— Treveyonne (@_lannoorraaaa) April 22, 2013
ion kno Marvell Edmondson n Jauwan Holmes like dat but ima show my respect ima pray 4 dem 2 hav a safe return 2 campus #Salute #VSU #Respect
— Big Curt (@ForeverYoung757) April 22, 2013
