The Naked Truth

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Fence Straddling or Fence Mending

I support HBCUs now and forever

By
Hilliard Lackey
Columnist 

I have the great and high honor of serving as President of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc. JSUNAA is an organization of some 3,000 dues-paying members, some 70, 000 emotionally attached members, and 66 alumni chapters stretching from coast to coast.

This large mass of graduates and former students is lukewarm in its support of Jackson State University most of the time. Only about 5% give back financially. Yet, like a hornet’s nest, they become stirred into frenzied action if someone or something threatens Jackson State University.    Last November, in a cost-cutting move, Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi proposed merging the state's two other HBCU’s under Jackson State University. Many JSU alumni took notice and took exception based on the premise that any merging would lead ultimately to closing. That was November. In January, word leaked out that President Ronald Mason of Jackson State University had been privately conversing with leaders in and out of the state legislature above unifying the three HBCUs under the umbrella of a new university. The three HBCUs would have greatly reduced functions with only special purposes and special course offerings at the undergraduate level. Graduate studies would accrue to the new umbrella institution as would the marching band and sports programs.

“Crucify him” is an understatement as to what the rank and file of the 70, 000 Jacksonians began to clamor about President Mason.  Admirably, President Mason stood his ground and took to the offensive purporting that doom and gloom lurked in the not too distant future and that the HBCUs would either work together or die apart. Publication of 150 e-mails obtained by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger under public information laws suggest many alumni and friends privately supported “unification of the HBCUs” while publicly being mum about the issue.

Still, JSUNAA wanted and demanded a face-off with President Mason. That came about at the Mid-Winter Alumni Conference held on campus Saturday, February 27. Alumni vented, said their piece, asked questions and demanded an apology. President Mason explained his intentions were a proactive ploy to meet the challenges of forthcoming budget cuts, diminishing Ayers funds, and adjustments to a continuing recession coupled with long-standing and ongoing insufficient state support for the HBCUs. He then apologized for having included in a private PowerPoint that Jackson State would be essentially supplanted by Jacobs State.

Amidst mixed reaction, JSUNAA than sat on the fence – under my leadership. We didn’t vote to support President Mason. We didn’t vote to impeach President Mason. In fact, we didn’t vote at all.

We did the ombudsman-like thing and gave consent to an Advisory Group that would meet periodically with President Mason and help him (1) devise new money streams, (2) bridge the breach between himself and alumni of the other HBCUs, and (3) forge strategic partnerships in the greater community.

Detractors think JSUNAA should hold a news conference, denounce President Mason, announce a vote of No Confidence, and summarily call for his resignation. Mind you, there was no vote to that effect. In fact, there was no motion, no resolution, no enabling official act empowering me, JSUNAA President, to go public with a down with Mason initiative.

Supporters say, let’s work together and move on, see what happens from here. The advisory group is active and beginning its work to advise President Mason.  He has been open, receptive, and cooperative since alumni called his hand on the “unification conversation piece.”  All agree that the three HBCUs voluntarily working together for their common good is sound and logical. But alumni maintain that no downsizing or merging of these schools should be on the table. Instead, finding new revenue streams is the order of the day.

The Naked Truth: I don’t support merging or downsizing Mississippi’s three public HBCUs. Neither do I support firing President Ronald Mason for thinking of unorthodox ways to enhance the effectiveness of HBCUs.  I do support the coming together of diverse entities and stakeholders with ideas and proposals to render the HBCUs, especially Jackson State University, more effective and more viable.  Now, if that’s fence-straddling, fence-sitting, or being middle of the road, so be it.    

Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey is a columnist, college administrator, and professor of Urban Higher Education, History and Geography. Email hlackey@bellsouth.net