Trumps order on HBCUs a mixed bag of reactions

Surrounded by Presidents and Chancellors from more than 90 of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, President Trump signed an executive order to bolster his administration’s commitment to higher education.
The Presidential Executive Order on The White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities was the 15th order signed by President Trump this year.
According to the Executive Order, it’s purpose is to, “foster more and better opportunities in higher education and strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education.”
Among other things the bill will primarily establish a 25-member board of advisers on HBCUs that will report directly to the president.
This move was mainly seen as symbolic, being that it moves the already established Office of HBCUs from the Department of Education to the White House.
More than 60 Presidents and Chancellors of HBCUs across the country attended the historic signing, which also included a listening session earlier that day with Secretary of Education Betsy Devos.
After their meeting, the group was invited to the Oval Office for a photo with the President that has since gone viral.
Southern University Chancellor Dr. Ray Belton attended the two-day event in Washington D.C. after receiving an invite from U.S. Senator Tim Scott and U.S. Representative Mark Walker.
The day before their respective meeting, President – Chancellors representing their HBCUs met to discuss what issues they would bring to the Trump administration and Education Secretary Devos.
“We came together to try and talk about what we perceived to be common issues among HBCUs,” said Belton, “From there we agreed to those bring those [issues] forth in our anticipated engagement with the congressmen.
“I was encouraged by the meeting, there was a lot of dialogue and there’s was a lot of indication of their willingness to support HBCUs,” finished Belton.
The two-day fly-in, billed as the first of it’s kind, comes on the heels of eight years of frustration many Chancellor – Presidents had with the Obama administration’s Department of Education.
Belton says the the group agreed to bring forth issues related to the White House Initiative for HBCUs, that included: year-long Pell grants, created by the Obama administration but discontinued in 2012; Parent-Plus loan revisions that effected parents who send their children to HBCUs, a percentage of federal research and lastly for the full funding of Title iii; a federal program created by the Higher Education Act of 1965 that provides financial assistance to the nations HBCUs.
According to Chancellor Belton, year-long Pell grants, Parent – Plus loan revisions resulted in a decrease of enrollment at HBCUs.
In a press release issued by the Department of Education following the meeting, Secretary Devos reiterated the Trump Administration’s commitment to HBCUs.
“A key priority for this administration is to help develop opportunities for communities that are often the most underserved,” reads the release.
The release goes on to add that HBCUs are, “real pioneers in school choice”, adding “they are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality.”
The Secretary’s comments were met with anger among many HBCU students and alumni who felt that the Education head was poorly informed about the real history of HBCUs and how they were created in order to provide education to black Americans in Jim Crow south.
“I really hope and pray HBCUs were not produced out of choice, that statement really enrages me because that shows a true lack of understanding for HBCUs and how they’re so substantial to young black people,” said SGA Vice President,Breanna Perkins, “HBCUs gave black people a chance at an education, something many of us never saw ourselves obtaining.”
“I always felt that representation is important because no one is ever representing HBCUs, I definitely think that the picture started a very important and necessary conversation because no one in Government is ever concerned with HBCUs,” finished Perkins.
As of March 5, reactions among HBCU Presidents and Chancellors on the significance of the President’s executive order and their visit to the white house were split.
In an Op-Ed written by Dillard University President, Walter M. Kimbrough for The Times – Picayune, President Trump’s unconventionality was praised for it’s ability to turn the national spotlight onto HBCUs.
But Morehouse College President, Dr. John Wilson, saw the very differently situation from his counterparts and wrote his own stinging criticism on how the meetings went.
In a release dated March 2, the Atlanta college President wrote, “It is not possible to measure the impact of this [executive order] anytime soon, if ever,” adding that the meeting was, “A troubling beginning to what must be a productive relationship.”
“This shows the importance of why HBCUs should look out for each other,” said Perkins, “I feel like at this moment we’re the only ones who can protect and build ourselves up, the people we have in government now are not enough.”
However, it still remains to be seen whether or not the Trump administration’s actions will be in line with his proposed budget that is expected to be released within the coming weeks.
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Belton, “talk is one thing, but actually being incorporated is another. We asked for some specific things and only time will tell whether or not our engagement will transfer to HBCUs.”