On June 24, 2004 the same accrediting agency which revoked the accreditation credentials of Morris Brown College announced that another HBCU, Barber-Scotia College, was denied accreditation. Many folks were understandably concerned about Morris Brown because she is an AME supported HBCU but the loss of Barber-Scotia is just as significant in the HBCU community. This college, located in Concord, N.C., was founded in 1867 by the Presbyterian Church of America and is currently a UNCF school. Similar to Morris Brown College, close to 90% of students receive some form of Federal financial aid assistance. Some of you who live in Atlanta may know Barber-Scotia's new President, former Atlanta councilwoman & Spelmon Professor, Gloria Trumbell-Tinubu. She was sworn in as President about a week before the dreadful news was announced from SACS. While Tom Joyner has generously pledged $500,000 in support, these much needed resources will not change the outcome about loss of accreditation and the real possibility about closure of the school since many of the 726 full time students will not return for the Fall 2004 Semester. I find it interesting that not too many AMEs seem to be concerned about Barber-Scotia College even though the school is located in the 2nd Episcopal District. QED

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2004

Answers

Bill, I just think that people, AME's and non-AME's alike, are just so overwhelmed with all of the bad news that they are receiving about the current financial/political client of the world, that they may appear to be insensed about a situation like Barber-Scotia College. It's not that I am unconcerned about the college; I just didn't hear about it loosing it's accreditation. I remember when Fisk University almost closed; my mother about had a heart attack, and she didn't even attend Fisk nor a HBCU. I am quite concerned about Barber- Scotia College; however, I am most concerned about Morris Brown. By the way, has anyone heard the final verdict about Morris Brown? There was a great Morris Brown presence at the General Conference. The reps said that the school is still open; however, is it still accredited? I guess I will have to do my own research to find out the truth. God bless.

-- Anonymous, July 23, 2004

Last I heard Morris Brown still was not accredited. They graduated 49 students this year. Unfortunately my cousin wasn't one of them because they lost their accreditation and financially he wasn't able to return. I never heard of Barber-Scotia College.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2004

Bill--

Thanks for the information about Barber-Scotia. I really did not know much about the institution. But I am very impressed with their approach to moving forward through this difficult time. They have been forthcoming with their students, setting up reciprocal arrangements with another HBCU in the area Livingstone and setting up a plan to keep a limited number of students at the school by providing institutional support of 80% to those students with the faith to presevere. The students must also contribute 10% to their support and work on campus for the other 10%. Therefore the cost of attendance is $1,376 for an on campus student. The risk is high but there is an incentive to support them because they have maintained a student focus while working on the accreditation.

It is my prayer that God will work it out for them and that they and all the struggling colleges will make it through this difficult time.

-- Anonymous, July 30, 2004