News-Record.com

Yes and all colleges. The taxpayer needs to be let out of the higher education game.

Yes, it should be cut as the taxpayers shouldn't fund this. Plus, black colleges and black people typically get more benefits anyways, so smart move. Empower yourself don't depend on government.

Entrance requirements at the six NC HBCUs are extremely lax. The N&R recently reported that, beginning in the fall of 2009, entrance requirements at NC A&T, WSSU, UNC-Pembroke, Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, and NC Central will be INCREASED to a high school GPA of 2.0 and a SAT score of 700 - this news can only make one wonder about the current entrance requirements.
What is the value of a diploma granted by a college or university that asks students for no more than a high school GPA of 2.0 and a SAT of 700?
Surely, the expectations of the taxpayer are greater than the expectations of the admissions office of these six schools.

Holden, I don't know what you're talking about. I used to work in NC A&T's admissions office and we NEVER accepted a student with that low of an SAT score.

NC A&T's base admissions requirements are 2.0 and an 800, but because of the amount of students that apply, consideration doesn't even begin until 2.5 and a 920. And for out of state, you have to pretty much have a 3.0 and a 1000.

And please don't single out the Black public institutions. The base admissions requirements are the same at ALL public institutions. UNCG, UNC, UNC Pembroke, etc...all should have the same BASE admissions requirements because they are ALL publically funded schools. Apart of the "UNC System". Yes, NC A&T is a UNC school.

And Dashon, you said "Black people get more benefits anyway?" Are you serious? You don't get a scholarship for "just being Black" at ANY school...however at NC A&T you can get a full scholarship just for being White...because "Black people get more benefits".

...Right.

If we're going to move forward in this country, we need to stop thinking about terms of Black and White. You should want to help all people or not help any. That's why I can at LEAST respect the commentary of Mr. Johnson up there. But saying you want to cut funding because "Black people don't need it"? That's institutionalized racism...no pun intended.

Personally, I don't think funding should be cut at ANY school, but that's simply my opinion.

The funding should be cut. With what has happened with recent embezzlement at NC A&T and NCCU, it shows that these institutions cannot be trusted to be good stewards of the taxpayers money.

Page B2 of the Tuesday January 22, 2008 Greensboro News & Record reported that "entrance requirements at six UNC campuses are getting rougher."
"Beginning next year, minimum entrance requirements will increase at Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, NC A&T, NC Central, WSSU, & UNC-Pembroke."
"In the fall of 2009, those schools will require a minimum 2.0 GPA in high school and scores of at least 70 on the SAT."
"By 2013, the minimum will be a 2.5 GPA and an 800 on the SAT."
The above is taken directly from the N&R and also was the subject of recent discussion on NPR.
What now of "the soft bigetory of low expectations?"
As a taxpayer shouldn't I get more value for my hard earned dollars?

The above 70 should be corrected to 700.

I am so tired of people having a close mind about HBCU's. I attend A&T and Purdue and found that A&T supplies similar educational levels as Purdue. Before people judge about a school, they should first visit and do some research about the university as a hold. Not simply what they read in one article. A&T is very important to Greensboro because of the economic and historical benefits. No other local school supports the local business like A&T. If A&T wasn't in Greensboro, you would not have Four Season Hotel and countless other housing apartments which supports the local economy. Please try to think outside the box, and maybe you will realize that every school has an important role to play.

I'm a proud graduate on NCAT! Any funding cuts for education hurts everyone across the board! My response to Aaron is this Not only have NCAT and NCCU had embezzlement issues with a rogue employees but other UNC schools had the same problem. Before you address those schools please do your research to find out other schools in the UNC system had issues with embezzlement, and other types of fraud. You can find this by going to the office of the state auditor and reading the audit reports.

Why does Bush feel like cutting funding from education is the best thing? This is the second thing he's talked about this year about education. He must not know this is hurting us more than helping. I feel that if funding should be cut from HBCUs, then funding must be cut from all schools. This unfair and it could be detrimental to the schools it affects. One thing that is different from HBCUs and other schools is that the endowment funds are not equal. A majority school could get as much as 30 million a year, whereas an HBCU could get 5 million at best.

Also, when talking about mismanagement of funds, one must know what the real deal was. You can look all you want on the outside, yet no one but the students and the administration really knows what went down. A&T just had their audit, and it was found that the chancellor at the time rearranged monies so that there would be BETTER housing on campus. This is for the betterment of the institution, I think. No it was not right, yet this is what the students needed. SO if you do not attend Central or A&T, then please do not speak about such matters that you know very little about.

Also, it does not matter what is in the P&R, because you can apply to A&T or any of the other schools that were named, but that is a MINIMUM that you must have. This does not mean you will be accepted into the schools. These types of schools CAN allows someone in with these low scores, and the students can kick TAIL in college. They might not have applied themselves in high school but see an opportunity in college and accept the challenge. At other schools, one will not even be given the shot to try. So please do not disrespect my school or any other HBCU, because they all are doing their things!

Life without Black People
A very humorous and revealing story is told about a group of white people who were fed up with African Americans, so they joined together and wished themselves away. They passed through a deep dark tunnel and emerged in sort of a twilight zone where there is an America without black people.

At first these white people breathed a sigh of relief.

At last, they said, No more crime, drugs, violence and welfare.

All of the blacks have gone! Then suddenly, reality set in. The "NEW
AMERICA" is not America at all-only a barren land.

1. There are very few crops that have flourished because the nation was built on a slave-supported system.

2. There are no cities with tall skyscrapers because Alexander Mils, a black man, invented the elevator, and without it, one finds great difficulty reaching higher floors.

3. There are few if any cars because Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gearshift, Joseph Gambol, also black, invented the Super Charge System for Internal Combustion Engines, and Garrett A. Morgan, a black man, invented the traffic signals.

4. Furthermore, one could not use the rapid transit system because its procurer was the electric trolley, which was invented by another black man, Albert R. Robinson.

5. Even if there were streets on which cars and a rapid transit system could operate, they were cluttered with paper because an African American, Charles Brooks, invented the street sweeper.

6. There were few if any newspapers, magazines and books because John Love invented the pencil sharpener, William Purveys invented the fountain pen, and Lee Barrage invented the Type Writing Machine and W. A. Love invented the Advanced Printing Press. They were all, you guessed it, Black.

7. Even if Americans could write their letters, articles and books, they would not have been transported by mail because William Barry invented the Postmarking and Canceling Machine, William Purveys invented the Hand Stamp and Philip Downing invented the Letter Drop.

8. The lawns were brown and wilted because Joseph Smith invented the Lawn Sprinkler and John Burr the Lawn Mower.

9. When they entered their homes, they found them to be poorly ventilated and poorly heated. You see, Frederick Jones invented the Air Conditioner and Alice Parker the Heating Furnace. Their homes were also dim. But of course, Lewis Lattimer later invented the Electric Lamp, Michael Harvey invented the
lantern, and Granville T. Woods invented the Automatic Cut off Switch. Their homes were also filthy because Thomas W. Steward invented the Mop and Lloyd P. Ray the Dust Pan.

10. Their children met them at the door-barefooted, shabby, motley and unkempt.But what could one expect? Jan E. Matzelinger invented the Shoe Lasting Machine, Walter Sammons invented the Comb, Sarah Boone invented the Ironing Board, and George T. Samon invented the Clothes Dryer.

11. Finally, they were resigned to at least have dinner amidst all of thisturmoil. But here again, the food had spoiled because another Black Man, John Standard invented the refrigerator.

Now, isn't that something? What would this country be like without the
contributions of Blacks, as African-Americans?

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "by the time we leave for work, Americans have depended on the inventions from the minds of Blacks."

Black history includes more than just slavery, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey & W.E.B. Dubois.

PLEASE SHARE, ABUNDANTLY

Life without Black People
A very humorous and revealing story is told about a group of white people who were fed up with African Americans, so they joined together and wished themselves away. They passed through a deep dark tunnel and emerged in sort of a twilight zone where there is an America without black people.

At first these white people breathed a sigh of relief.

At last, they said, No more crime, drugs, violence and welfare.

All of the blacks have gone! Then suddenly, reality set in. The "NEW
AMERICA" is not America at all-only a barren land.

1. There are very few crops that have flourished because the nation was built on a slave-supported system.

2. There are no cities with tall skyscrapers because Alexander Mils, a black man, invented the elevator, and without it, one finds great difficulty reaching higher floors.

3. There are few if any cars because Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gearshift, Joseph Gambol, also black, invented the Super Charge System for Internal Combustion Engines, and Garrett A. Morgan, a black man, invented the traffic signals.

4. Furthermore, one could not use the rapid transit system because its procurer was the electric trolley, which was invented by another black man, Albert R. Robinson.

5. Even if there were streets on which cars and a rapid transit system could operate, they were cluttered with paper because an African American, Charles Brooks, invented the street sweeper.

6. There were few if any newspapers, magazines and books because John Love invented the pencil sharpener, William Purveys invented the fountain pen, and Lee Barrage invented the Type Writing Machine and W. A. Love invented the Advanced Printing Press. They were all, you guessed it, Black.

7. Even if Americans could write their letters, articles and books, they would not have been transported by mail because William Barry invented the Postmarking and Canceling Machine, William Purveys invented the Hand Stamp and Philip Downing invented the Letter Drop.

8. The lawns were brown and wilted because Joseph Smith invented the Lawn Sprinkler and John Burr the Lawn Mower.

9. When they entered their homes, they found them to be poorly ventilated and poorly heated. You see, Frederick Jones invented the Air Conditioner and Alice Parker the Heating Furnace. Their homes were also dim. But of course, Lewis Lattimer later invented the Electric Lamp, Michael Harvey invented the
lantern, and Granville T. Woods invented the Automatic Cut off Switch. Their homes were also filthy because Thomas W. Steward invented the Mop and Lloyd P. Ray the Dust Pan.

10. Their children met them at the door-barefooted, shabby, motley and unkempt.But what could one expect? Jan E. Matzelinger invented the Shoe Lasting Machine, Walter Sammons invented the Comb, Sarah Boone invented the Ironing Board, and George T. Samon invented the Clothes Dryer.

11. Finally, they were resigned to at least have dinner amidst all of thisturmoil. But here again, the food had spoiled because another Black Man, John Standard invented the refrigerator.

Now, isn't that something? What would this country be like without the
contributions of Blacks, as African-Americans?

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "by the time we leave for work, Americans have depended on the inventions from the minds of Blacks."

Black history includes more than just slavery, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey & W.E.B. Dubois.

PLEASE SHARE, ABUNDANTLY

Nicole and Leon may make the point that these schools need money. Their lack of grammar is appalling for those who supposedly went to college and not even getting the initials correct of the paper whose website this forum is on shows just plain lack of common sense. I've never read anything about rearranging funds to improve housing. You can try to justify the bad behavior, which African Americans are great at doing, but state audits found that A&T and NCCU officials broke the law.

A&T did not break the law, people who worked at A&T broke the law. In fact many people at many institutions have done the same thing...and not JUST at HBCU's.

The article says that the base at those schools is "2.0 and 700"...but I am telling you I WORKED there. You'd think a first-hand account of what happened based off of what is simply STATE-issued policy would mean something. The STATE sets the requirement of 2.0 and 700 because NORTH CAROLINA built it into their education programs that they didn't want ANY North Carolinian to not go to school because they weren't at the top of their class. ALL STATE SUPPORTED SCHOOLS (i.e. UNCG, A&T, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, NCCU) have the same BASE admissions requirements.

Don't be ignorant, when I'm clearly telling you the truth.

As far as the embezzlement issue, it's unfortunate...but is it fair to punish the students for something that the a few people who they had NO contact with dude? The FEW people involved were corrupt, not the whole institution. Don't look for a scapegoat to get an excuse for justification of cutting the funding keeping people going to school.

Aaron, I apologize for your limited thinking. It seems that you are closed minded about HBCU's. I wish you will do some deep dive research on A&T. You would notice that A&T has made recent news with their research on a non allergic peanut. This example shows that every university has relevance in our society. So stop being so hateful and be more American. A true American believes in an inclusive society and not exclusive society. Just food for thought!

It’s very easy to judge and make false assumptions about other ethnic groups. We as Americans must not undermine each other’s intelligence and natural gifts, but we must embrace each other. So each man/women in our great country has an important role to play in society. This also plays into our universities for having relevance in society; NBCU’s are not excluded from this. You can’t simply put more or less importance on an institution. I wish that people can see more of the positive side of HBCU’s and not the negatives.

It’s very easy to judge and make false assumptions about other ethnic groups. We as Americans must not undermine each other’s intelligence and natural gifts, but we must embrace each other. So each man/women in our great country has an important role to play in society. This also plays into our universities for having relevance in society; NBCU’s are not excluded from this. You can’t simply put more or less importance on an institution. I wish that people can see more of the positive side of HBCU’s and not the negatives.

This is a travesty. African Americans have always been disproportionately disadvantaged due to the lack of resources in our public school systems. If funding at the HBCUs help to deter this, then I am all for it. We need to realize that the U.S. is behind many other countries in education. Why cut funding in education, no matter where it is. Many students don't see the light until they enter college. Many excel because they understand the importance of being educated while in college and want to go on and do great things. Let's face it; we have problems in our communities. Funding HBCUs is not a hand out, it's a hand up. Get real people, we need all the help we can get. Trust me things will get better. For the first time in our lives we see a black man and a white woman battling for the democratic nomination. Who knows what these HBCUs will accomplish in the near future. Look how far we have come already. We need to go forward and stop stooping to all the crap that goes on in our streets.

“Only three out of 100 Black males entering kindergarten will graduate from college . . .

Every 46 seconds during the school day, a Black high school student drops out . . .

"The dropout rate for African-American students approaches 50 percent . . .

Every year, nearly a million kids fail to graduate high school . . .”

Granted, there are many problems facing Black America. I am proud to be part of a growing movement that believes we can begin to overcome them through better education for our young generation. Knowledge is the most precious gift we can grant our children in any form and from any source.

Some of you guys are just ridiculous. The only decent point made is the negative comment about the grammar. Folks we should be more mindful, because as one can see, ANY excuse to make a point will be used by those who want to be negative.

quote: orginally posted by Doug Johnson
_______________________________________
"Yes and all colleges. The taxpayer needs to be let out of the higher education game."
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At least you're fair, however I think a bit short sighted. Who better to fund the institutions that provide knowledge, and the overwhelming majority of the leadership of the country?

quote:originally posted by Dashon:
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........... Plus, black colleges and black people typically get more benefits anyways, so smart move. Empower yourself don't depend on government.
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You've GOT to be kidding me! Who told you that? I can almost guess. Just what benefits are we getting more than anyone else? Assuming you are empowered, the government didn't help you?! Your "advice" oversimplifies the issue, and ignores the TOTAL history of the USA. The government has empowered EVERYBODY that has been "successful!!!"

quote: originally posted by Holden:
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..............What is the value of a diploma granted by a college or university that asks students for no more than a high school GPA of 2.0 and a SAT of 700?.................................
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I think others have explained what this is about quite well. I'll add that even IF someone is admitted to school with these credentials, if they don't perform, they won't get a diploma! Bottom line! That's more likely to happen for an athlete at a "major" university, black or white.

It is saddening to pick up news from home and see intolerance and misunderstanding still guiding the thoughts of some. I am glad many of you have stated your points without counter-attack, even encouraging a positive take on the situation.

A few years back I found myself in the same position of criticizing folks who had issues with the ugly re-districting/busing debate of a few years ago. Greensboro has ALWAYS been a better place than that. Not perfect, but better than that. Maybe some of you guys who know little to nothing about the HBCU experience, should visit and most importantly, check out the white students and faculty there. Oh yes, you WILL see plenty there. See how they feel about the situation.

If that doesn't cause a re-thinking of your criticism, then follow the example of the flagship university. They somehow, despite it's legacy, took the lead in integrating sports, and most recently and most importantly, had a black man head it's board of visitors AND it's board of trustees. BTW, he's from Greensboro. They gave him a chance. He succeeded.

HBCUs were created by whites to enforce segregation. Once that ended, only a select very few blacks could attend other colleges. Around about 71, UNC among others, opened the doors of opportunity to for blacks to be exposed to a different life. HBCUs still met the need of giving blacks a chance to succeed. They still grant a disproportionate amount of degrees to blacks. If one just has a problem with the idea of HBCUs existing, follow the lead of whites in other states, start attending and "take over" the campus. I bet the government would be glad to empower you!

Yes, you should cut the funding. While your at it also cut the taxes on black people. Since for so many years, black had to pay equal in taxes but did not get equal access to public stuff. That seems like larceny by trick.

Its interesting that people have this "pull up your bootstrap mentality" but black peoples boot straps were taken away from them.

Read more than your own myopic history.

HELLO NO!!! THE FUNDING SHOULD NOT BE CUT FOR BLACK COLLEGES. WHY BLACK COLLEGES ANYWAY. THEY ALWAYS SAYING WE ARE LAZY BUT WE AS AFRICAN AMERICANS CAN SEE THIS IS ANOTHER FORM OF MODERN DAY SLAVERY. IN THE SLAVE DAYS WHITE FOLKS TOOK OUR EDUCATION RIGHTS FROM US BY NOT LETTING US LEARN TO READ NOR WRITE SO WE HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THAT RIGHT. NOW THAT WE ARE IN COLLEGES TRYING TO LEARN ALL THE THINGS THEY DIDNT WANT US TO LEARN WHITE FOLKS WANT TO TAKE FUNDING. NOW IN SLAVE TIMES YOU WANTED US TO TAKE YOUR SORRY HANDOUTS NOW YOU TELL US WE DONT NEED HANDOUTS. NOW THAT U HAVE PUMPED DRUGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN TO OUR COMMUNITIES SO THAT WE WILL HOPEFULLY DIE U TAKE FUNDING FROM BLACK COLLEGES THAT IS OURS ANYWAY AND THINK WE ARE SOPPOSE TO BE OKAY WITH IT WELL WE ARE NOT WE ARE TIRED OF THE CRAP. IF YOU WANT TO CUT SOMTHING CUT PRESIDENTS AND DEANS SALARIES AND ALL THOSE OTHER BOGUS TITLES YALL WHITE FOLKS MAKE UP TO STILL MONEY FROM HARD WORKING AMERICANS. THATS OKAY WHEN OBAMA GETS IN OFFICE AND HE WILL GET IN, THERE WILL BE GREAT CHANGE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND I HOPE HE PUT A STOP TO WHITE FOLKS STEALING MONEY THAT DONT BELONG TO THEM. GOODBYE HATERS!!!!

As a student at Spelman College I am outraged. I feel HBCUs are looked down on by White America because HBCUs are a network of schools used to empower young Black people in the United States and its territories. From my experience at Spelman and other HBCUs we are groomed to know that we are equals, but we must work harder to achieve what our White peers can achieve more readily. We are taught about our history and our greatness, and our eyes are opened to stories of our past that were conveniently left out of our curriculum in our public high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. We a taught through thought provoking discussion and we shun the banking system of U.S. public schools; which have been proven ineffective for Black students. We are taught to be strong and to not only rally for change, but to be the change we want to see. It does not come as a surprise to me that George W. Bush wishes to cut HBCU funding. Democratic presidential candidate Hilary R. Clinton (D-NY) wishes to cut HBCUs funding as well, so I most definitely expect Republicans to attempt to do so. But this does not mean that I will not fight back. I notice the difference between Black students at HBCUs and Black students at predominantly White institutions. And the young men and women who graduate from HBCUs are seen as a threat to the current structure of the United States. Young Black men and women with a sense of who they are and are willing to change not only the United States, but the world is a type of scholars this country seems not to be ready for, but we refuse to wait. These young men and women, my brothers and sisters, scare White America. Institutions that have produced such great people, including but most certainly not limited to Marian Wright Edelman, Virginia Davis Floyd, Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Alberta Williams King, Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Henry W. Foster, Jr., Julian Bond, Benjamin Brown, Ralph Abernathy, Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Dr. George Washington Carver, Claude McKay, and the list goes on. I find it obvious that people are scared of more great Black leaders being produced at these institutions.

Spelman College, and my brothers and sisters in HBCUs all over the country have taught me not to be complacent with the ignorance of others. Therefore I will act to keep this funding that is crucial to the livelihood of our Colleges and Universities.

They are afraid that African-Americans will really succeed. Fear is the conservative mantra. African-Americans do not get more than White folks. If you believe that than check your gov't sats. Whites get more entitlements than any group in America.
Embazzlement.Embazzlement. Lets talk about Embazzlement. Isn't that what happened to that NINE BILLION DOLLARS in cash(One Hundred Dollars notes no less) sent to Iraq? Oh, since it's not African-Americans on welfare or aiding American colleges that happen to be Black guess that does not count as embazzlement.
Everytime a conservative gets in any public office they have to take aim at the Americans of African decent. These people's creed is anti- Black,Tan,Red,Yellow & Brown even some White Americans(poor), too. If we made our educational system the best in the world, would you worry about who gets what?

As a graduate of NCCU and a current attorney in NC I am unfortunately not shocked by many of the comments I am reading but am dissapointed. Many Americans are not informed abotu topics but just spout off about them. Alot of people are referencing SAT scores as a reason to bad mouth HBCU's. First it has been proven that the SAT is culturally biased so minorities of all realms test lower. 2nd it doesn't test anything. They just don't have any better methods of deciding who gets into college. Do yourself a favor look into the history of the SAT and you will see the letter have changed as to what the acronym means...its because they proved it wasn't reliable at all. I along with others are products of the universities that you seem to say are terrible. I graduated with honors got a full merit scholarship to law school at the University of Cincinnati and and not working in the legal profession back here in NC. Meanwhile go to the Board of Governors website and look at the graduation and retention rates of all 16 UNC campuses...you will see the HBCU's stay right in the middle of the pack with less funding. I don't see anyone screaming about Western Carolina University of UNC Pembroke who seem to have the lowest graduation rates in the system.

Also, someone said something about Embezzlement at NC A&T and NCCU...please reference a news article or something about this made up information. There has never been anyone caught Embezzling at either of these schools. But ofcourse no Majority White schools have ever had a leader take funds.

No, this funding should not be cut. I am a proud alumnae of North Carolina A & T State University and Clark Atlanta University. - Those funds are greatly anticipated for every school year to improve and uplift students, staff, and facilities during everyone's matriculation at NCA&T and any other HBCU. Besides those funds are not just for African -Americans who attend the HBCU but all ethnicities and races benefit from the funds who attend HBCU. Historically Black Colleges/University has such rich history because of those who attended them dated back to the existence of the beginning of "Black" schools. SO, the least that the government can do is continue to fund education since it wasn't always provided for us- education that is.

No, this funding should not be cut. I am a proud alumnae of North Carolina A & T State University and Clark Atlanta University. - Those funds are greatly anticipated for every school year to improve and uplift students, staff, and facilities during everyone's matriculation at NCA&T and any other HBCU. Besides those funds are not just for African -Americans who attend the HBCU but all ethnicities and races benefit from the funds who attend HBCU. Historically Black Colleges/University has such rich history because of those who attended them dated back to the existence of the beginning of "Black" schools. SO, the least that the government can do is continue to fund education since it wasn't always provided for us- education that is.

If the taxpayer is let "out of the higher education game" then the only people attending colleges will be those with trust funds. What should the taxpayer fund instead - corporate welfare for obscenely wealthy businessmen, illegal and mismanaged wars, overdevelopment of natural resources? Come one, people. Wake the hell up. The veil of ignorance will be lifted through education. Those who keep money away from education don't want to see the veil of ignorance lifted because they are in control and fear losing it.

Listen to Daniel. HBCs provide an important and vital function in our society. You can complain about their admissions policies all you want, but many of our great African American leaders were educated at HBCs. Are we going to throw away every person who failed to realize their potential in high school? How many of us were fully mature at 17? Those of you who left high school with a 3.8 and 1400 SAT deserve a pat on the back for your achievements, but don't try to close the door behind you just because it takes others a little longer to get their act together. Have faith in your neighbor. And yes, we taxpayers should hold our governments accountable for how they spend, but if we cut education we are essentially cutting our future. Don't buy into this. Vote for Obama in '08. He has a great plan for higher ed. He will help us lift the veil of ignorance because he genuinely wants to create equity in our society. This is a very different direction from where we are currently headed.

If the taxpayer is let "out of the higher education game" then the only people attending colleges will be those with trust funds. What should the taxpayer fund instead - corporate welfare for obscenely wealthy businessmen, illegal and mismanaged wars, overdevelopment of natural resources? Come one, people. Wake the hell up. The veil of ignorance will be lifted through education. Those who keep money away from education don't want to see the veil of ignorance lifted because they are in control and fear losing it.

Listen to Daniel. HBCs provide an important and vital function in our society. You can complain about their admissions policies all you want, but many of our great African American leaders were educated at HBCs. Are we going to throw away every person who failed to realize their potential in high school? How many of us were fully mature at 17? Those of you who left high school with a 3.8 and 1400 SAT deserve a pat on the back for your achievements, but don't try to close the door behind you just because it takes others a little longer to get their act together. Have faith in your neighbor. And yes, we taxpayers should hold our governments accountable for how they spend, but if we cut education we are essentially cutting our future. Don't buy into this. Vote for Obama in '08. He has a great plan for higher ed. He will help us lift the veil of ignorance because he genuinely wants to create equity in our society. This is a very different direction from where we are currently headed.

The funding cuts by President Bush for HBCU's is absolutely riduclous! People do not understand that most black youths depend on going to college, such as an HBCU. These colleges are necessary for providing an equal chance for all people to receive a college education. Yes, I agree that it is important to increase academic standards, but then we must also realize Kindergarden - through - High school programs are failing our students in providing them a decent education. 90% of all people when they graduate from high school attend some sort of higher education, it has been reported that 53% of these students need remediation, these students are not receiving access to state schools, so they depend on HBCU's.

Regards,

Dr. Kennedy

According to the article, he didn't cut the funding. The funding is not changing from last year. He cut the planned increase in the funding.