HBCUs FACE COVID-19 CHALLENGES
-By Jerry Crawford, Ph.D.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), like most Predominantly White Colleges (PWIs), have faced myriad challenges in the past two decades. These challenges have ranged from federal funding, to accreditation to falling enrollments. HBCUs have faced many of these challenges throughout their history. The new challenge – COVID -19. The pandemic has made HBCUs, already dealing with smaller endowments and threats to federal and state support, to deeply consider moving beyond their original mission and establishing more of a business model.
The decision to make any changes and to face the challenges is part of the role of the administrators at these institutions. Could challenges, such as COVID-19, lead to more upheaval? How does the satisfaction they have in their roles affect how they have responded to the pandemic and does the organizational structure affect their decisions and overall job satisfaction?
The missions of the HBCUs are the key to how the administrators view the current challenges. American slaves were forbidden to learn to read. The process of keeping them and their descendants illiterate continued throughout America’s history. The common practice of authorizing literacy throughout the American South was accepted and had a purpose. In what is a unique and powerful statement on the importance of HBCUs, Virginia State University is now offering a class on the history of HBCUs.
While the education of Black Americans was one of the primary missions of HBCUs, other roles of importance include serving as economic and social anchors to the surrounding communities. Currently, many HBCUs have begun to develop initiatives and institutes in health disparities research, bio-medicine health disparities and biotechnology. This can be very important during the COVID -19 pandemic. The CARES Act has provided some funding for HBCUs, to help with technology in dealing with the pandemic.
Despite the accomplishments of HBCUs, they are the subjects of considerable criticism within the higher education community. Chancellors and presidents are charged to ensure the financial viability of their institutions. To be effective, this means they need a strong cabinet and a strong relationship and partnership in shared governance – including with faculty and staff. Early research has shown that administrators are up to the task. The results indicate that administrators find great satisfaction in their institution’s ability to adjust to the pandemic, the level of shared governance and the desire to live up to each institution’s original mission statement. They also all believe increased federal funding is necessary to assist them in operating at the same level as before the pandemic.
Additional research might also include further examinations as to the results of the decisions made by the administrations, as part of a longitudinal study. Interviews with the administrators would certainly assist in developing those answers. Also, a more thorough examination might include student and faculty technology/software needs and a general ascertainment of the possible digital divide for all involved stakeholders.
HBCUs are essential in not only educating students, providing meaningful and important research, but also as economic engines and incubators within their communities.
Jerry Crawford is an associate professor in News and Information at the University of Kansas. His research focus is Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their units of journalism and mass communication. His areas of expertise are accreditation of schools with journalism and mass communications programs, broadcasting, ethics and mass communication theory. He teaches Ethics, Multiple Media Reporting, Advanced Reporting, Producing and Audio/Visual Documentary.
Crawford holds a B.S. Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, an M.S. Degree in Special Education Technology from Virginia State University, and a Ph.D. degree in Mass Communications and Media Studies from Howard University.