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HBCUs face more challenges after Hurricane
Katrina
September 3, 2005
Long Beach, CA (BlackNews.com) - Historically-Black colleges
and universities are constantly faced with challenges that
can include state funding issues, inadequate housing, poor
student-teacher ratios, and even violence. However, the most
recent challenge is none other than Hurricane Katrina.
The deadly natural disaster has affected several HBCUs in
the gulf coast area including Dilliard University, Xavier University
and Southern University in New Orleans, and Tougaloo College
in Mississippi. Campuses are damaged, students are stranded,
and the school year may not start this year at all.
Fortunately, several organizations are stepping up to the
plate to offer some relief. One of these is The United Negro
College Fund (http://www.uncf.org),which has
initiated a special online relief fund that people can donate
to.
Dr. Michael Lomax of the UNCF, comments, "We need longtime
supporters and new friends as well to help us raise the funds
our schools will need to begin the long and costly rebuilding
process."
In addition, the National Association of Equal Opportunity
In Higher Education (http://www.nafeo.org)
has launched a program seeking to coordinate with other universities
to provide alternatives for students enrolled at affected HBCUs.
Many wonder though, whether this will be enough to avoid having
Black students lose an entire semester or more.
HBCUconnect.com, the largest online destination for HBCU
students and alumni, plans to encourage their thousands
of members to do what they can to help.
William Moss comments, "We are creating a dedicated section
on the web site (www.hbcuconnect.com) that
will feature exclusive news, forums, and advice on how to help
these HBCUs. We also plan to setup an online fund that people
can donate to." Many say that the key to helping these
HBCUs is to donate money and to create an awareness about the
situation. Likely, Tom Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and other celebrity
graduates of Black colleges, will launch initiatives of their
own.
Dante Lee, CEO of BlackNews.com, comments, "Anyone who
has media power should urge their audience to help.
Every graduate of an HBCU, including myself, must take action."
In addition to Black colleges, many black businesses and black
families have been destroyed. To help these, interested ones
can donate to Red Cross <http://www.redcross.org> or
can volunteer by contacting USA Freedom Corps <http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov).
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