Ronald Harris had many reasons for attending Southern University and A&M College but one rose to the top: the architecture program.
When it comes to producing African-American licensed architects, Southern ranks in the top five among historically Black colleges, which, by some estimates, collectively produce 35 percent of Black licensed architects. Southern’s mission statement describes the school as playing a part in “advocating for African-American voices in the profession of architecture,” a field that has not traditionally employed a large number of Blacks.
When Harris, a senior, heard in mid-July that the School of Architecture might be shuttered for budget reasons, heartbreak soon gave way to disgust, he says.
“I’d put all of my time into this program,” says the Baton Rouge native. “Shutting it down felt like an insult to me.”
Days later, the school received a reprieve as university officials announced plans to work further with administrators and faculty. But the situation surrounding Southern isn’t unique in this economic climate.
Many universities are having a tough time weathering the economic storm because of state-funding shortfalls and dwindling endowments. Humanities programs at public universities like the University of Iowa and University of Minnesota have been cut. Kean University in New Jersey has proposed restructuring and merging some programs. Nevada’s top higher education official earlier this year suggested closing the state’s only medical school.
But HBCUs have taken a harder hit, experts say.
