The civil rights struggle has created different perspectives on the place and role of black public colleges in American education today. It has been recommended that these schools, following the public school example, be absorbed or "engulfed" by the white educational structure. This recommendation reinforces the view that black institutions are,…

"Our World," by Virginia prison inmate Marvin Atkinson, is a poem which aptly describes the isolation of Black Americans from the national ideals that America represents. To most Blacks these ideals are myths that continue not only to elude them but enslave them. Four American myths which stand in the way of 30 million Black people who…

Examines the role that the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has played in Black higher education. Provides an historical sketch of the financial situation of Black education prior to the Fund's establishment in 1944, discusses UNCF's objectives and achievements, and suggests ways for improving fund raising by the organization. (GC)

Describes the role of America's 117 historically Black colleges. These institutions seek to foster competence and instill confidence in Black students, whatever their background, in an atmosphere free of racial tension. (DM)

The paper reviews special education teacher preparation programs offered at traditionally Black institutions (TBIs). Differences are noted between TBIs, historically Black institutions, and predominantly Black institutions. The history of institutions of higher education for Blacks is reviewed. Five TBI programs for special education teachers are…

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were created because of racist beliefs that Blacks should not attend school with whites. Between 1854 and 1952, 123 HBCUs, both public and private, were established to educate Black people. Currently HBCUs are still very much alive, but the legacy of separate and unequal education has left an…

Based on enrollment data obtained from the Federal government, finds significantly greater Black representation in higher education in those states where historically Black institutions are located. Discusses the dilemma of how to racially desegregate Black colleges and universities without reducing overall Black participation in higher education.…

Implications of the 1992 Supreme Court decision in United States vs. Fordice for black colleges are examined. The decision held that a state's obligation to dismantle a formerly segregated system is a requirement that cannot be satisfied by mere adoption of race-neutral policies by historically black institutions. (MSE)

Black colleges serve psychological and sociological functions that cannot be duplicated by predominantly White institutions. One of the most important functions of Black colleges is to offer a human support system to meet all of the needs of Black students. (Author/MC)

Changes undergone by two formerly all-black colleges since the Brown decision are described in this anecdotal conference paper. Lincoln University (Jefferson City, Mo), once an outstanding liberal arts institution, has been transformed into a school that is now predominantly white and serves students who wish to qualify for jobs in fields such as…

Reviews the activities of the Rockefeller Foundation's Equal Opportunity Program in the 1960s. States that initially the program had an elitist character catering to affluent Blacks in an attempt to bring talented Blacks into the mainstream at selected colleges. Claims that after program staff integration, new educational directions were…

Argues that the continued existence of predominantly Black institutions is educationally and sociologically justified, fiscally and politically feasible, and legally permissible. (Author/GC)

This article examines the forces of discrimination in institutions of higher education in the United States. Much of the literature on black education from the beginning of the century to Jensen's work has attempted to show the inherent inferiority of blacks. This literature has shaped the general public's view of black Americans and their…

In 1977, a federal court ordered the merger of the University of Tennessee in Nashville (UT-N) and Tennessee State University (TSU), a historically black public institution in Nashville. A study of 15 years of effort reveals that the merger did not alter the role of TSU as an institution essentially black in character and mission. (MLF)

For Blacks to reach parity in higher education, they must be enrolled--and graduated--in greater numbers. Five issues are identified: the gap between the amount and quality of higher education, the role and mission of Black colleges, the Adams cases, professional degree programs, and the survival of Black colleges. (MLW)