Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have an important tradition in the United States. It’s not necessarily a straightforward tradition, but it’s one with which we still grapple.
One of the biggest struggles, perhaps, is the equalizing of values, of recognition and importance. The problem addressed in this interview—my interview with George Johnson, student accounts manager at Georgetown University and a graduate of two HBCUs—is that of academic weight. Does a 4.0 at an HBCU have the same value as a 4.0 at a predominantly White institution?
Q: The first question, then, is one that seeks to generalize. Generally speaking, does a 4.0 at an HBCU have the same value as a 4.0 at a PWI? If not, why not?
A: Generally speaking, a 4.0 at an HBCU does have the same value as a 4.0 at a PWI. I say this because a 4.0 simply means you were able to master the subject being studied with the highest grade possible for the requirements of the degree or course. If we use the old adage of “2+2 = 4,” then in general terms a 4.0 is a 4.0 is a 4.0. I say that because the true debate is not if it has the same value, but is the criteria required to receive a 4.0 more arduous at a PWI versus an HBCU. To date, there is no real scientific evidence to prove or disprove this theory. Furthermore, this statement falls apart on the merits, as professors from PWIs teach at HBCUs and vice versa. In terms of value, what does getting a 4.0 really mean? There are students who graduated without honors who are millionaires. There are students with 4.0s who are currently out of work. As I stated in a previous article, we should be commending anyone who is able to get a 4.0 regardless of the institution it was received from, for that truly takes hard work.
Q: In what contexts do you think there is the greatest gap in value between 4.0s from HBCUs and 4.0s at PWIs? Is there anything in particular that continues to perpetuate this gap?
A: The greatest gap in value comes from the refusal to change the hierarchy created within colleges and universities across the U.S. Even PWIs are separated into “Ivy League” versus everyone else. When you look at USA TODAY’s top college rankings, there is no HBCU listed in the top 20. This perpetuates the belief that the education at an HBCU is below the standards of our nation’s top universities, which is simply untrue. The formula used to create the top 20 is based on various categories that have nothing to do with academic standards. They rely on stats like graduation rates, retention rates, the high school SAT scores of incoming students, and “education experts” to determine this ranking. There is no true academic valuing tool or method that is being used to determine this. Furthermore, many of the HBCUs are accredited by the same governing body as the PWIs. So they are good enough to be accredited by the same academic standards, but the academic standards are still unequal. A very flawed argument at best.
