In the past, African-Americans were barred from attending schools with their white counterparts. So Black leaders created the HBCU, to give those students a safe haven to learn and flourish.
After the fall of segregation more than 50 years ago, historically black colleges still exist. Today, there are more than 100 HBCUs located all over the United States. Altogether they graduate majority of the African-American population in America.
Most students who attend these facilities say the atmosphere tailors to their unique needs as African Americans. Some students also cited a solidarity among the campus population.
Southern University student Niara Addison says the students at her HBCU did not make her feel isolated.
“People were willing to talk to me,” Addison said.
Comments like Addison’s are common among black students. Some feel that they are alone at predominantly white institutions, while others just do not feel like the professors value them.
Purdue University conducted a study revealing that 55 percent of African-Americans who attended an HBCU felt that the schools created a comfortable environment that increased their ability to learn. Other survey participants remarked that they would not be as successful without the close-knit atmosphere of their schools.
In recent years, the numbers of students attending HBCUs have declined. From 2005 to 2010, the enrollment at HBCUs decreased by a little over a hundred thousand students. This decrease occurred for a variety of reasons, the most common being funding.
Historically, the funding for HBCUs has been lower than other college institutions. The low funding caused some of the schools to close down educational programs and even let go members of the staff. Some of these schools also struggle with keeping up the campus.
“You can tell there’s a funding issue based on the basics of appearance. There are potholes all over campus…. the streetlights don’t work. The bathrooms are dirty because they’ve had to cut staff,” Addison said.
There have been efforts to alleviate the lack of funding in Washington D.C. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to help allocate more funds to the historically black colleges through federal funding. However, these changes could take years before the money begins manifest.
In the meantime, students and faculty at HBCUs do not think funding setbacks interfere with the education the students receive.