Morris Brown Reopens $1 Million Richer, But Without Accreditation
By Tracie Powell
ATLANTA
Atlanta’s Morris Brown College reopened its doors late last month to fewer than 150 students, without a marching band, football team or accreditation.
They are, however, $1 million richer. The million-dollar donation from the Tom Joyner Foundation, headed by the syndicated radio personality the foundation is named for, will help returning students pay outstanding balances so that they may continue their education at Morris Brown. Priority will be given to returning seniors, say school administrators.
But despite the recent generous donation, Morris Brown is still without accreditation, which means students cannot receive federal financial aid or transfer credits to other accredited institutions.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) stripped the college of its accreditation last winter, citing the school’s mounting debt, institutional ineffectiveness, poor record-keeping, and difficulties with processing financial aid. Most of the 1,500 enrolled students transferred to other colleges or universities when the school’s bid to appeal the SACS decision failed in April (see Black Issues, April 24).
