Black Colleges

Texas Southern University

 

Also Prarie View A&M is predominantly African American. Although, technically, it is not in Houston.

 

Do white people go to "Black" colleges?
Are they allowed?

 

Maybe I'm naive, but I always thought "Black" colleges promoted were actually open to all applicants. I'm not well versed in the area by any means, but it was an assumption I lived under. Yeah, yeah I know all about "assumptions."

I didn't find much about it on the web though.

 

I think a white person can get a Minority Scholarship to Prarie View. I had an English teacher that went there on one.

 

The key word is "predominantly." In the case of TSU, they are a public institution and follow state admission guidelines:

http://em.tsu.edu/admissions/
http://www.tsu.edu/about/welcome.html

They then go on to describe themselves as being " one of two comprehensive Black institutions," but also "like its curriculum, the student body is characterized by diversity."

A thin tightrope, but one they feel comfortable walking.

Is anybody currently "constructing" such institutions? Most of the ones I know of were created when segregation was commonplace, and continue to exist.

The reasons these institutions remain? They serve their community. On several occasions I have heard of proposals to unite the University of Houston and TSU into a single "super campus," but it wasn't something that anybody on either side particularly wanted.

 

As far as I know, those are the only colleges considered to be traditionally black colleges, though I suppose there could be some that don't meet that definition.

There are probably other colleges (especially community colleges, especially if you consider each campus separately) that are majority minority or majority African-American that don't carry the "black college" tag. To me, that term has always been reference to those colleges that were established to give African-Americans opportunity to attend colleges when many other avenues did not exist.

 

Schools like TSU and Prarie View A&M market themselves to all students as historic black colleges. The majority of students are African-American and I believe all the schools are located in African-American neighborhoods. The literal term black college no longer applies since anyone can attend regardless of race. I believe the term comes from back in the days when black colleges were the only schools minorities could attend. The guy who integrated UT Law School (Sweatt ?) sued on the grounds TSU Law School (which at the time was the equivalent school for minorities) did not offer him the same opportunities.

 

You would think that black colleges would eventually go the way of the Negro Leagues as more and more black kids go to regular colleges. That might be happening right now, I'm not sure. Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of administrators and counselors that steer black students towards Prairie View or TSU instead of trying to get them to the best colleges possible. I understand there's a certain comfort level, atmosphere of acceptance, and all that jazz but any person who picks a clearly inferior educational opportunity because of that is just doing himself more harm than good. When black colleges are down to an elite few like Howard and Spelman then I'll consider it progress.

 

I knew a white woman who received a scholarship to Prarie View soley because of her race.

Damn affirmative action.

 

I'll never forget the day I was offered a minority scholarship by the recruiter from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at my high school's college day.

Seriously though, the counselor made one of my friends apply to UAPB and you could get a full ride there with a 21 ACT score!!

 

ask someone on Bourbon Street during the weekend of the Southern University vs. Grambling University showdown, the Southern Classic, otherwise known as "The Soul Bowl."


I think it is a Southern cultural thing.

 

By the way, when I was thinking about studying in the United States, I contacted about 30 law schools by mail (that was before I started using the Internet). They all wrote back, except TSU (I don't remember why I contacted them) and some school in Puerto Rico...

Just some random useless information .

 

In 2003, these schools exist mainly for historical reasons; no one is trying to start a race-specific college now. However, they're already there and have a lot of rich tradition and history that they want to keep. They welcome students of any race; most of them would be glad to get more white students, as that would reduce the stigma that white students usually have against going to a black college. The minority scholarship thing actually makes sense.

Some notes from visiting a black college (not in Houston) and seeing how they operated:

-Student recruitment is a big, big problem right now. Why would anyone go to school there? If they're going for academics and have the credentials, there is a large university with a good reputation in the same city. If they're going for a small-school environment and have halfway decent credentials, there's a decent church-run school in the same city. If they're going for something affordable, there is a fine community college system that will take them through the first two years. If they get through that and want to go on, there's always that state school not too far down the road.
Most of this black college's population, therefore, is made up of black students who feel more comfortable in an environment where they're not a minority. A few students are there for the athletic opportunities and/or because they're international students with fewer opportunities at home. These students often come from island nations in the Caribbean; many are not prepared for college.

-Between the students who are just not ready to handle college, and those who transfer elsewhere to get a better deal or a better looking degree, this school only graduates 10% of its incoming freshmen. Their accreditation has been in jeopardy.

-The following is not necessarily a "black school" problem, but one that exists in some lesser-known universities: they need to make LOTS of improvements in terms of resources, curriculum, and gaining a serious academic reputation. The teachers are working hard in the classroom to educate students one-on-one, even though some of the students are less than enthusiastic. (remember, they don't exactly recruit very competitive students) What needs the most work is the administration. Most of them are just happy to walk around and look important ("look at me! I'm president of a university!") when, if I was there, I wouldn't have time for that because I would be working my tail off to improve my school's academic reputation before it went under completely.

Most black schools are in better shape than that. Some (e.g. TSU and Grambling) have rich traditions, such as football and band, that are an encouragement for students to go there, especially if their families are alumni.

 

isabel, you're not referring to Austin, Texas, are ya?

 

I think Hutson-Tillotson (sp) in Austin might be one. Not 100% on it though.

 

That's a good thing cause the academic reputation of TSU Law is baaaaaad.

 

The sad thing is, the University of Houston Law Center is not even in the top 50 anymore. In 1995, they were No. 32 which was not that awful.

About TSU...unfortunately, they also have very low percentages compared to other schools when it comes to passing the bar exam. Once you have a school that has a lower academic reputation, you attract less talented teachers and students. It is kind of a vicious circle that is hard to get out of. It's the same thing the other way around...Harvard or Chicago will always attract top students who later become teachers at the school or go out and become successful as proud alumni...hard for lower ranked schools to move up.

 

but the subway in the building makes it No.1 in my book for on campus lunches =]