United We Stand, United We Fall

Accreditation…it’s by far, the most important measurement, or index for any institution dedicated to teaching, and learning in the United States.
So why then, reader, would any of those colleges or universities not do everything that they could to ensure that the accreditation would never even come under scrutiny, let alone be revoked? This is, however, what has unfortunately occured at Bennett College.
Bennett College is a liberal arts college in Greensboro, North Carolina that is not only an HBCU, but is also one of only two HBCUs exclusively for women to attend, the other being Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. All the more disappointing is that the historically black institution is in danger of losing their accreditation, opposed to a more soluable issue. That is ridiculous and unacceptable.
The administration should feel ashamed for doing an awful job of managing an institution, and devaluing the hard work and effort of alumnus and students alike. Most upsettingly, they should feel ashamed for failing the people who have walked so that Bennett College, and every other HBCU, could run.
As saddening as this ever-increasing reality is, it is not tragic. This is exactly what should happen when the people in control don’t just fail, but continue to fail repeatedly until they run themselves straight into the ground.
Nothing is a more perplexing question than, why do HBCUs refuse to improve? I am curious though reader, how many HBCUs are going to continue to close due to accreditation loss before their lesson is learned?
Hopefully, Bennett College serves as a potent enough lesson, and will be the last HBCU that closes due to their accreditation being revoked. The cynic in me though, reader, knows that most HBCUs will continue down the path that so many others have already taken.
Southern University was just under the microscope itself, for failing to keep records, amongst other factors. Also, as some may already know, a couple of colleges at Southern have already lost their accreditation, forcing them to combine with other departments. Bennett College is not an isolated case. It will, more than likely, not be the last.
We need to start managing our institutions better. The generally inept, and undermanned staff in critical departments, such as financial aid or admissions, agonizingly slow and ill-timed construction projects, and a lack of basic care for students needs to end. These are all things that are major issues at HBCUs across the country that have to improve. Whether it is a huge scandal at Howard, or a lack of financial responsibility at Bethune-Cookman, each and every one is at fault. We need to fix the damages, and prevent it from happening again.
There were 121 HBCUs to start, but there are only 101 of us now. The administrators need to get it together, but the student bodies also have an obligation to conduct ourselves in a better manner. We all need to do better, because the world’s watching, and waiting for us to step out of line.