The new mission statement contains no reference to the school’s HBCU status
ALBANY — Nearly 300 students gathered around Albany State University’s Orene Hall Friday protesting the omission of any mention of Historically Black College of University from the new ASU mission statement.
The Georgia Regents voted in November to consolidate Albany State University and Darton State College into one institution. The move required a new mission statement from the newly merged institutions. The BOR released that new mission statement earlier this week and it contained no mention of the university’s HBCU status.
The students, many dressed in all black, marched from the ASU student center to Orene Hall to vent their outrage.
“We don’t have a problem with the consolidation, but people are in an uproar over HBCU being left out of the new mission statement,” ASU senior Sean Whorton said. “Most of the students came to Albany State for the HBCU experience.”
Curtis Fluker, another senior agreed.
“It’s not 1965 any more; it’s time to live in color,” Fluker said. “We really don’t care who comes to school here as long as we can protect the school’s legacy. This is not about the name of the school, but the new mission statement. Nothing is given to you at an HBCU, you have to earn it.”
The students, at the noon rally, demanded a meeting with ASU President Art Dunning.
“Dr. Dunning and the administration are not listening to us so now we are not listening to them,” senior Jeremy Jones said. “This is the first of many protests and we are going to hit them where it hurts — in their pocket book. HBCU was in the previous mission statement, now we are unsure if we’ll still be an HBCU.
“We want to get the students excited because this is part of something bigger than just us. We are still encouraging students to come here and not be discouraged.”
Albany State SGA President Laurentiis Gaines arrived as the protesters moved onto Orene Hall.
“I know you have questions, but I cannot speak for the president any longer, he feels he is being misunderstood,” Gaines said. “But I have requested that he meet with us at 4 p.m. at the amphitheater.”
Dunning did meet with the students at 4 p.m., although the crowd was much smaller.
“This issue came up after the the board and SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) approved (the mission statement),” Dunning told the crowd. “There are limits to my authority and I am not a member of the board. We cannot lose HBCU status, it is assured under a federal codicil and there is funding attached.”
Dunning said there would be three more documents included with the mission statement — guiding principals, history of the institution and vision statement. The four total documents will represent the core values of the new Albany State University. Those other documents also give more opportunities for the HBCU issue to be addressed, Dunning said.
“If you have anything you want inserted into those three documents, get together with Laurentiis who will bring it before the CIC (consolidation implementation committee) and your recommendations will be discussed.”
Below is the text of the mission statement of the new Albany State University:
“Albany State University, a proud member institution of the University System of Georgia, elevates its community and region by offering a broad array of graduate, baccalaureate, associate, and certificate programs at its main campuses in Albany as well as at strategically-placed branch sites and online. Committed to excellence in teaching and learning, the University prepares students to be effective contributors to a globally diverse society, where knowledge and technology create opportunities for personal and professional success.
“ASU respects and builds on the historical roots of its institutional predecessors with its commitment to access and a strong liberal arts heritage that respects diversity in all its forms and gives all students the foundation they need to succeed. Through creative scholarship, research, and public service, the University’s faculty, staff, students, and administrators form strategic alliances internally and externally to promote community and economic development, resulting in an improved quality of life for the citizens of southwest Georgia and beyond.”