To the Editor:
"Troubled Barber-Scotia College" (The Chronicle, October 18) raises some troubling concerns for me. First, let me state that I taught history from 1968 to 1971. While the college was obviously far more viable then, it was also obvious that there were serious problems. For example, I had one student, a senior, who was close to illiterate and by no standard imaginable could be said to be doing college-level work. While that was the most egregious example, there were all too many students who were ill-served.
That the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools continued to accredit the college in those years may speak more to political concerns, perhaps the willingness to certify low standards for African-American students. That anyone connected with higher education—or who professes concern for the welfare of the few current students, not to speak of those who may be lured there in the future—would want the college to remain open now is to me a sign of being either severely misguided or guilty of a kind of nostalgia for an institution that cannot serve the interests of any students that I could imagine attending there.
I never witnessed the truly poorly prepared students improving at Barber-Scotia. They were often just pushed along on extraordinarily low standards. On the other hand, there were students who were well enough prepared when they entered to benefit from their education. However, they could have done so at many other institutions of higher education. Nothing in the article I read or my three years' experience at Barber-Scotia would lead me to believe that there is any other option than to close the college.
Carl W. Griffler
Dothan, Ala.
Comments
1. jamestodd2 - November 24, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Unfortunately, the writer's lack of objective data and strong personal opinions may suggest that an "open door" institution cannot serve the interest of society in general and students in particular. No data was shared about the college's success with students in general. Unlike the writer, I volunteered my services to help the College deal with financial and financial aid related issues during the late 1970 period and helped to reduce the scope of funding problems at that time.
My observations at Barber Scotia revealed a caring and nurturing environment that had significant student mentors in both the faculty and administration. One comment made by a faculty member still rings clear in my memory; "some may not be ready when they get here, but they will stay here until they are".
Barber Scotia, like many institutions developed to serve populations with limited access to higher education has never enjoyed the level of financial investments needed to avoid the constant threat of severe financial problems. For many, the positive impact on student lives and the community is of far greater value than leaving behind a population without significant hope for a better future.
Consider the "34.5% unemployment rate for black males in the 16-24 year age group and the 30% overall unemployment rate for young blacks" reported in today's Washington Post (Blacks hit hard by economy's punch). Also, note the data reported that "blacks who are better prepared fare no better in the job market than whites who just got out of prison"
This type of reality should have all of us trying to figure out how to inspire and save lives, not waste them simply because some in the college environment are less prepared than others. It seems to me that there are not enough institutions that are willing or able to handle the current needs of those who are seen as less attractive candidates for a college education.
While our nation has been focused on institutions that are "to big to fail" maybe we need to provide resources to some that are "too small to fail" because it is in keeping with our American character and important for our local and national interest.