Source: LA Times
In the last couple of years, Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) have struggled to stay open as enrollment drops and students who once could only attend these universities are now enrolling at other universities. Three HBCUs have closed in the last two decades.
Los Angeles Times reports that 50 years ago, at least 90 percent of black students who attended post secondary education were at HBCUs, because they were more likely to succeed than in any other universities were retention rates were low. Today, that percentage has dropped to 9 percent.
In recent years, schools made a greater effort to enroll non-black students in order to make up for loss in enrollment, but in many cases, the efforts are falling short.
For Bennett University, founded in 1873, its financial struggles are at the forefront as the school risks losing its accreditation. Though it was able to raise more than $9 million after announcing its struggles to the public, it still had its status removed. It temporarily regained it this last February, but LA Times reports that university is fighting for its continued existence.
Read Full Story: LA Times