In 2012 , Black colleges saw upheaval from a death at Florida A & M and a number of changes in presidencies .
PAGE 14 PROGRAM SUCCESS – JANUARY 2013
The Year in Review in Black Colleges :
Challenges and Shifts
In 2012 , Black colleges saw upheaval from a death at Florida A & M and a number of changes in presidencies .
By Jonathan P . Hicks BET News
Dr . Edison O . Jackson B-CU Interim President
presidential race .
The year 2012 saw some highly challenging moments for historically Black colleges and universities as well as a number of changes at the helms of many colleges .
There was also huge student participation in voter registration for this year ’ s presidential election and what many describe as a high level of energy regarding the director , Julian White , was fired ; and 12 band members were charged with felonies in the death of Champion . Meanwhile , other hazing activity was exposed , including an incident in which a young woman ’ s leg was broken .
However , there was some good news for historically Black colleges and universities in the form of federal funds . Earlier this year , the Education Department awarded $ 228 million in grants to historically Black colleges and universities .
The five-year grants went to schools in 19 states plus the District of Columbia and the universities are able to use the money to expand their campuses , acquire science equipment , develop counseling programs and train faculty .
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the grants will enable historically Black colleges to help students who grapple with financial challenges as they pursue postsecondary education .
The most notable challenge was at Florida A & M University , which dealt with the fallout from the hazing death of a member of the school ’ s famed marching band the year before . Robert Champion , the 26-year-old drum major , was beaten by band members who used drumsticks , bass drum mallets and their hands to hit him as he walked to the back of the bus in a hazing ritual .
Champion ’ s death focused the nation ’ s attention on the culture of hazing and led to investigations that exposed some financial and administrative shortcomings at the university , specifically related to the famed Marching 100 band .
In the aftermath , the university ’ s president , James H . Ammons , resigned ; the band
Meanwhile , there were some significant shifts in the
Bethune-Cookman University President Edison O . Jackson leads student to the polls to vote in this past November ’ s Presidential Election .
Black Colleges in Review Bethune Cookman University , Florida A & M University Jonathan P . Hicks Jacksonville , Florida January 2013