I am not sure what alternative the NYT is proposing in this piece? Close Duke? Build NCCU up to Duke's standards? If the brunt of the article is "inequality exists" I don't think this is news to anyone. Every university is not, cannot, and ought not, be equal. If the standards were substantially raised at NCCU many of its students could not attend. As it is now, somewhat less qualified students can still get a college education at a reasonable rate of tuition. I just don't know what else should be asked.