Speak Up for Howard

Since the tuition increase was announced, people have demanded more transparency, inclusion and accountability on the part of the administration. Well, Howardites, this week you will have several opportunities to experience just that. Today will mark the last main campus stop on the listening tour concerning the tuition increase; the last one is at the law school next week.

In the past, the administration and the Board has made decisions to increase tuition and has not discussed it with the Howard community at large. This time, there have been four opportunities to speak with students about the increase. In addition, before the increase was approved by the Board of Trustees, there was a dialogue with students representing a cross section of the university.

The majority opinion was that the increase was needed to address our deficit and infrastructure concerns; however, there needed to be substantial need-based aid for students who could not afford the increase and more transparency concerning the university budget. All areas were agreed to in the proposal that were approved by the administration and the Board of Trustees.

The listening tours are the first push towards transparency. However, we need to prove that we want a place at the table. The invitation is open for transparency, but we need students to come. The last listening tour stop had roughly 25 students. The increase will affect everyone who will be here next year. More students should come, be informed and let their voices be heard. It will be held in the College of Medicine Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m.

Another opportunity to get involved is to come to the town hall meeting addressing the university's accreditation. It will discuss the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Affirmation of Accreditation Self Study report. It is also available online for the Howard community to read and comment on. The URL is http://www.gs.howard.edu/middle_states/.

Sign in the same way you do in the I-lab. The town hall will explain the accreditation process for the university and will allow students, faculty, staff and administration to voice their feedback. The Self Study report will also show you how complex and comprehensive the university is. It will be available this Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Blackburn Ballroom. Lunch will be provided.

You can also be involved through the Students First Campaign, President Ribeau's first presidential initiative. I currently serve as the team leader coordinator and intern. We are still looking for volunteers. If you are interested please send an e-mail to HUStudentsFirst@gmail.com.

The Students First Campaign will look at eight key areas across the university including residence life, student life & activities, cashiers, financial services, academic advising, enrollment management and financial aid and records. This is an awesome opportunity to provide feedback concerning the university and to provide solutions to make the university better.

If this is not enough, you can come out tonight to Project Connect 2009, a program that brings alumni to campus to talk with students about life post Howard.
It will start at 6 p.m. in the Blackburn gallery lounge and will feature Chris Cathcart, a former HUSA president who owns several of his own businesses; Keri Archer, a producer for Discovery TV and Donald Temple, Esq., a founder of Ubiquity, Inc. who is also an attorney. This event is cosponsored by the Howard University Alumni Association and the Howard University Pre-Alumni Association. So get involved, get educated and have your voice heard!
- Victoria Kirby, undergraduate trustee