Moorland- Spingarn Ado Settled

In response to an article written by The Hilltop regarding the state of affairs of Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC), the University received numerous letters, e-mails and Facebook messages. Soon after, Howard announced its intentions not to close the center.

According to President Sidney A. Ribeau, in a press release issued Monday, “Without question, Moorland-Spingarn is a Howard treasure as well as a national treasure and the University is unequivocally determined to preserve it.”

Monique Liston, a 2008 alumna, was one of the many people who sent out letters and e-mails.

“When I first heard the news of Moorland-Spingarn closing, I immediately thought of what can I do,” Liston said. “I couldn’t believe that this was happening.”

Liston said she contacted MSRC Interim Director Thomas Battle, Ph.D., to see if she could assist financially with helping to keep the center open. Liston said she was told the University was still figuring things out, but would contact her when a solution had been drawn out.

Liston said it is imperative for alumni to give back. She described the danger of MSRC closing as a prime example of the repercussions of alumni not giving back. “Sooner or later, something drastic will happen,” she said.

According to Battle, a vision for a new Moorland-Spingarn was in discussion, but former Howard President H. Patrick Swygert was not on board with the vision. Battle said since then, many recommendations have been sent to the Office of the Provost and the Board of Trustees.

“I have had conversations with these people,” Battle said. “This is not a secret.”
The problems that the center has faced stem from staff cutbacks and facility storage space for the MSRC documents.

Faculty has raised the issues concerning MSRC more than once, according to Battle.
In his statement, Ribeau stated that the University has not reduced funding to the center, despite the budget university–wide cuts.

Ribeau said the vision of MSRC is “to further increase its scope and reposition its relevance as Howard strengthens its research agenda.”

The statement also said that, as a means to attract support, “Friends of MSRC,” a fundraising program started in 1996 to assist in collecting additional financial support for MSRC, will be expanded.

Ribeau wrote, “Again, I would like to abate your individual and collective fears about Moorland’s sustainability and its preservation for other generations of scholars.”

2 comments

Karen House

Wed Nov 18 2009 12:59

A new home for MSRC was planned for the Miner Building. Although that space was insufficient, it would have greatly improved the Center's ability to serve its constituents. However, that plan fell apart and the sign on the building designates it as School of Education space. Moorland-Spingarn is not just one of Howard's treasures, it is its crown jewel. That has been neglected by president after president is an abomination. It should have a fundraising professional (development director) just as the schools and colleges. Clearly, it is not a priority.

Karen House - retired June 30, 2008

Howard University Watch

Tue Nov 17 2009 15:03

In lieu of President Ribeau’s very generic, repetitive, and rhetorical “Open Letter: Moorland-Spingarn Center” is nothing more than another obfuscation of specifics for the Howard University students, staff, faculty, and alumni[a] to examine.

Point 1: why didn’t this “Open Letter” succinctly discuss the current staffing level (at the MRSC) and whether or not if it would increase or decrease the basis for such decisions. Point 2: I think it’s insulting for President Ribeau not to mention how university funds will be redirected from “across the board” to ensure that the MSRC will not just exist minimally. But, how it expand (i.e., personnel, budget, equipment, etc.). Point 3: I would like to know when was the last time President Ribeau visited the MSRC or even walked on every floor of the Undergraduate Library (particularly the Stacks)? Point 4: find it as equally offensive for President Ribeau to issue a letter in an “after the fact” capacity when this problem has existed since his arrival to Howard University. Also, this clearly shows that President Ribeau is not attuned of very familiar with the totality of Howard University. Point 5: since President Ribeau alude to the fact of the importance of the MSRC, I think he should immediately prove this to the brilliant scholars at the MSRC by compensating them accordingly. For example, how is it possible for an Administrative Assistant (no disrespect by any means) who works in the Administration Building has a higher pay scale to someone in the MSRC with an earned Ph.D.?

In sum, if the Moorland Spingarn Research Center is as important as President Ribeau asserts, he needs to recalibrate and reassess his budgetary priorities immediately. If not, then his “Open Letter” was and will be nothing more than an exercise in educational futility.

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