Clark-Atlanta University president retires after months of struggle

After six years as president, a term often rocked by controversy and opposition, Walter D. Broadnax, president of Clark Atlanta University, recently announced his retirement during the college’s annual winter Board of Trustees meeting.
Clark Atlanta sophomore Sade Benton welcomed the announcement.
“Since I’ve been here, I haven’t seen any changes or developments,” Benton said. The fashion merchandising major said she wanted to see more of an effort among the administration to get involved with students and advance the quality of students’ education.
Shane Bundy, a Clark Atlanta sophomore, said that Broadnax’s leave might have been prompted by the fact that administration has not been honest with students and alumni about the state and progress of their institution.
“A lot of stuff going on will eventually come to light,” Bundy said. “Maybe we’re still in debt.”
Bundy praised the social work academic program but expressed disappointment with the fact that the nursing program was phased out. She said the program was still intact when she applied but by the time she arrived on campus, the program was gone.
After confirming Broadnax’s retirement on Feb. 15, the university announced that Broadnax’s tenure would officially end on July 31. Carlton E. Brown, the university’s executive vice president, will take over as interim president on Aug. 1.
Broadnax, who is the second president to have led Clark Atlanta after the merger of Atlanta University and Clark College in 1988, has been credited with increasing enrollment, gaining the university’s reaccreditation, securing funds for the renovation of three existing residence halls and for making plans for the formation of the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, according to a release.
Despite these accolades, Broadnax has struggled to satisfy students.
Junior Jason Clarke agreed with Benton’s and Bundy’s sentiments saying that he didn’t approve of how the administration spent money or phased out academic programs.
“I’m happy because maybe the money that is needed for other programs will actually be allocated to the departments that need them,” Clarke said.
The marketing major said that one of his friends was forced to leave the school after the engineering program was phased out.
Because the university had struggled to rid itself of a $7.5 million deficit and a $25 million cash flow shortfall, Broadnax raised tuition, ended academic programs, and stopped hiring faculty and staff. While these changes took place, students had also complained about unsafe buildings, poor registration systems, and a lack of communication between students and administration.
Michelle D. Anderson is a student at Spelman College and a writer for the Maroon Tiger at Morehouse College.