Bi News Briefs

Black Issues in Higher Education, Dec 24, 1998

At Central State: Prosecutors Resume Investigation; Fund-Raising Drive Benefits Needy Students

WILBERFORCE, Ohio -- Prosecutors will resume their investigation into whether there was any wrongdoing by former officials of Central State University, which recently emerged from years of financial troubles.

And in other news concerning the university, a fund-raising drive has collected more than $25,000 to help keep more than 50 students from being dropped from the school's enrollment.

A task force of state and local investigators will review evidence and determine whether to pursue indictments stemming from the investigation, Steve Wolaver, assistant Greene County prosecutor, told The Dayton Daily News last month.

Investigations by the state auditor's office, state inspector general, Ohio Ethics Commission, and State Highway patrol found "examples of incompetence and negligence" at Central State, Wolaver said. "But whether that translates into criminal conduct remains to be seen."

The state Office of Budget and Management took over the finances of Ohio's only public, historically Black university in 1997, and a new administration was later installed.

Prosecutors put their probe on hold pending the outcome of a final special state audit, which was released last month. The audit found discrepancies in the books, unauthorized payments, and lack of financial oversight between 1995 and 1997 at the school.

State Auditor James Petro said the audit contained no evidence of serious criminal wrongdoing and dealt with mostly old and outdated practices. Petro and other state officials have praised the university's current trustees and president, John Garland, for correcting problems at the school.

As for the fund-raising drive: "The response has been phenomenal," said Tedd Miller, vice president for enrollment management at the university.

The effort -- which was organized by the Rev. Earl Harris, senior pastor of Greater Allen AME Church -- has attracted $11,587 from area churches, $2,750 from business and labor organizations, $2,050 from community organizations, and $8,870 from individual contributions independent of the church appeals, Harris said. The pastor adds that he is confident organizers will reach their goal of $55,000.

The students, who represent about 5 percent of Central State's enrollment, were notified in early November that they were being dropped from school rolls because they owed money for tuition, room, and meals (see Black Issues, Nov. 16). Many are juniors and seniors who are close to graduation, university officials said.

It would take about $111,000 to pay all the students' bills. A donor who wishes to remain anonymous has offered to match every dollar raised, Harris said.

Seventh Plaintiff Allowed To Join Race-Discrimination Suit

ATHENS, Ga. -- A federal judge has allowed a White student who was denied entry to the University of Georgia to join a lawsuit filed last year by six people who contend that the state practices racial discrimination with its university admission policies.

Craig Greene, a White Whitfield County student who applied for 1997 admission to the school, joined the suit last month in an effort by the plaintiffs to shore up the race preferences complaint, arguing that he "suffered pecuniary and emotional injury" when he was denied entry.

U.S. District Judge B. Avant Edenfield of the Southern Circuit granted the plaintiffs a legal victory in allowing Greene as a plaintiff after the January filing deadline, according to court documents, the Athens Banner-Herald said.

Greene graduated from high school with a 3.33 grade point average, scored 27 on the ACT, in the 91st percentile nationwide, and "excelled in an accelerated college prep curriculum," according to court documents. The plaintiffs say at least one Black applicant with lower scores was admitted to the university last fall.

Atlanta attorney Lee Parks filed the suit in March 1997 on behalf of a group of White and Black plaintiffs, including educators and two students who said they were denied admission to the state's flagship institution, the University of Georgia.

The suit claims there is discrimination throughout the University System, but it focuses largely on the state's three traditionally Black institutions -- Albany State University, Fort Valley State University, and Savannah State University.

The suit seeks the merger of some traditionally White institutions with historically Black colleges and an end to race-based admissions criteria.

Project Boosts Dramatic Growth Among Minority Business Professors

CHICAGO -- In a report released here last month, an aggressive doctoral candidate recruiting program celebrated the growing ranks of African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans pursuing Ph.D.s in business.

The study found there are 374 underrepresented minorities currently enrolled in business doctoral programs. If these students complete their studies within the next five years, it is projected that they will increase by nearly 100 percent the 388 minorities who currently hold doctorates in business.