Saving Morris Brown
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) stripped Atlanta’s Morris Brown College of its accreditation last winter, citing the school’s mounting debt, institutional ineffectiveness, poor record keeping and difficulties with processing financial aid. When the school’s bid to appeal the SACS decision failed in April, most of the 1,500 enrolled students transferred to other colleges or universities. Shortly, thereafter, the college’s president Dr. Charles E. Taylor resigned and the board of trustees appointed chemistry professor Dr. Leroy Frazier as acting president.
The 122-year-old historically Black college re-opened its doors in August to approximately 150-200 students, without a marching band, football team or accreditation. And despite a $1 million donation from the Tom Joyner Foundation and support from the United Negro College Fund, the school was facing a mountain of debt.
Howard University was just one HBCU that started a “Save Morris Brown College” campaign to help in raising funds to help alleviate the college’s debt.
Still, students and current administrators say there are no plans to close Morris Brown now or in the future, despite uncertainties about how the school will continue to operate.
Continued at A Tribute to Academic, Athletic Excellence
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