Posted on 03/26/2014 7:18:27 AM PDT by YourAdHere
With a mountain of debt and less than three dozen remaining students, Morris Brown College in Atlanta may be reconsidering its refusal last year to sell its 37-acre campus to the city, according to media reports.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in February that the school sought a bankruptcy court’s approval to retain a real estate broker and pursue the sale of its campus. It was unclear how that sale would affect the college’s handful of remaining students and its continued operation.
The historically Black institution was founded in 1881, but was crippled in 2003 when it lost its accreditation after an investigation revealed two top officials embezzled millions in student financial aid and redirected it to other purposes.
Attendance plummeted as thousands of students sought an education elsewhere; according to a recent profile by American Public Media’s “Marketplace,” the school currently boasts just 35 students attending classes at a campus which is largely boarded up.
The Journal-Constitution reported the school rebuffed a $9.7 million offer by the city last year that would have absolved the school of more than $35 million in debt. The newspaper indicated that the city could potentially sell or lease portions of the property to other groups, including two local churches, while still allowing Morris Brown space to operate.
However, the Journal-Constitution reported that the school may have changed its mind, after an open records request revealed that Morris Brown officials contacted Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed in early March to gauge the city’s interest in renewing talks on a deal.
The school sits near an area targeted for revitalization, including a planned new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.
“Let me be very clear in my thinking about Morris Brown. There’s getting ready to be a $1.2 billion investment on that corridor,” Reed told the Journal-Constitution. “It makes sense for the city to control a strategic asset to be developed with the strength of the community in mind.”
Morris Brown professor Makisha Funderburke is among the handful of educators who remain, and told “Marketplace” that she teaches without pay to help the college stay alive.
“I just think Morris Brown should be given a chance,” she said.
“....two top officials embezzled millions...”
I’m shocked.
I think Morris Brown is one the schools featured in the movie “Drumline.” Spoiler alert: Atlanta A&E wins the competition in overtime over Morris Brown.
The end of their era
Yes it was.
Community organizers use these “historic colleges” as ATM’s. When they get caught, the school always wants to “forgive” and “move on” while asking for free government money to replace what was stolen.
“I just think Morris Brown should be given a chance,” she said.
Morris Brown WAS given a chance, and failed!!! What you want is ANOTHER chance.....
I am wondering why these “historic colleges” are still around considering that there is now greater education opportunities.
Most of the HBCUs need to be closed. They served their purpose during a time of segregation. Now any marginally academically talented African-American has colleges/universities drooling after them.
African-Americans have WAY more white in them than they think or care to admit to.
There was an "African-American" couple along with us and they DID look WHITE compared to native Kenyans. They looked as confused as I felt.
African-Americans who don't like the atmosphere here regarding them SHOULD take a little visit to the "dark continent" and REALLY see their "roots." African-AMERICANS were/are/will always be the lucky ones to wind up HERE in America.
We DO have our warts and problems...but it's better to be "poor" here than to be middle class in ANY of those third world sewers.
Hmmmm, now WHO said that? Sounds familiar....
Too bad Hillsdale college can’t buy it and fix it.
From the decision process Obama must be on the board
Racists!
However, these colleges and universities have to be financial and academically viable or they should cease to exist. I'm not even saying eliminate state subsidies/funding or government student loan programs, but these colleges can't be endless money pits just because it's "a historically black college" and has always been there.
“I think Morris Brown is one the schools featured in the movie “Drumline.” Spoiler alert: Atlanta A&E wins the competition in overtime over Morris Brown.”
That’s how you go broke. Bring in big name talent driving a Rolls.
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