So many challenges, so little time, and even fewer resources.
For many of the nation’s 105 historically Black colleges and universities, these factors have led to an unprecedented number of presidential vacancies resulting in instability and even turmoil on some of the campuses. By the end of 2012, at least 20 permanent HBCU presidencies were either vacant or recently filled.
Adding to the overall uncertainty surrounding the resignations and dismissals, an interesting phenomenon began to occur. Some presidents who had not completed their first contract terms abruptly resigned or were ousted by their governing boards. Most recently, at two public HBCUs — Alabama State in Montgomery and Morgan State in Baltimore, Md. — two popular presidents were cast aside.
At Morgan State, the board of regents voted in December not to extend the contract of David Wilson, who had served as president for just over two years. His contract was set to expire in August 2013. At Alabama State, Joseph Silver was placed on paid leave in November after being on the job for 10 weeks. At North Carolina’s Shaw University, Dr. Irma McLaurin resigned in August 2011 after 11 months in the position. She was the third president in three years.
Diverse contacted four higher education leaders to discuss the apparent leadership crisis at HBCUs: Lezli Baskerville, president and CEO of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO); Ronald Mason, president of the Southern University System; Julianne Malveaux, president emerita of Bennett College; and Silver of Alabama State.
Silver makes a cautious assessment of the situation. “Let’s not try to read too much into the vacancies at this point,” Silver says, adding that some were due to retirements and normal attrition. “I do believe, however, that many HBCUs are at a crossroad. One only has to look at enrollment, graduation rates, issues related to accreditation, alumni and board giving and the financial challenges many of the HBCUs face.”
At both Morgan State and Alabama State, no reasons were cited publicly for the boards’ actions, but both presidents pushed back and both were supported by ardent student demonstrators. Silver issued a response saying he had questioned apparent discrepancies in financial matters and the awarding of contracts. Wilson released a letter “to the Morgan State family,” listing his considerable accomplishments, including an increase of more than 20 percent in federal grants and contracts and improving the student retention rate to higher than 70 percent for two consecutive years.
