SHAW UNIVERSITY 27 MILLION IN DEBT! As students from Shaw University’s campus walked across the bridge to visit Estey Hall, they did not speak much. In fact their mouths were duck taped with various phrases written across the tape. “Nasty Living” is what was written on the mouth of Delilah Badgett a junior at the university. The students were instructed by their leader, senior Jarell Johnson ‘not to say a word’. Jarell Johnson is apart of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity INC. on the university’s campus.
As the students piled in the elevator of Estey Hall, they headed for the fourth floor. They began to sit in and then were immediately instructed to proceed to the buildings conference room by the executive board and other faculty.
“We are protesting because we need change”, said Johnson, after making an opening speech to administration. Johnson stated that “the students are sick and tired of waiting on the executive administration to communicate”. “We are tired of chicken, and these nasty dorms that we pay $18,000 a year to stay in. We need change”, as expressed by Shilah Jones a freshmen.
The protestors insisted on answers about the university’s financial status. There to make a statement was Martel Perry, Shaw University’s Executive Vice President.Perry insisted that no conversation should start without a prayer. A prayer was delivered by a student protestor. Perry then began to confirm what were speculated as rumors. “Yes, we are in debt. 27 million dollars, but I will explain why we are”, stated Perry.
Perry then gave a brake down of the university’s financial hardships. “From the year 1999 until 2003 the university’s financial aid office gave out awards without much verification. An audit in May 2003 by the Federal Government fined Shaw University 2 million dollars for 3 years, for not having proper documentation about aid and other awards. That’s 6 million. The Talbert O. Shaw dorms had a 7 million dollar balloon note. That’s 13. Again in 2005 the Federal Government fined the university 2.1 million for not doing what was needed in a timely matter. That’s 15.1 million. The university then invested 5 million into a technology and infrastructure plan. That’s 20.1 million. There was a law suit settled between an construction company and the university in the amount of 1.2 million dollars. That’s 21.2. And it costs the university 1.9 million dollars to award scholarships and 4.5 million cash to support the various sports organizations on the campus. That’s a total of 27.6 million dollars.”
“I just want to know why they hold the refund checks so long”, expressed by Ebony Owens a sophmore. Dr. Perry then explained, “at one point the university used to hold refund checks from the students to pay for other things needed by the university. We don’t do that anymore.” Johnson the groups leader said, “We just want to make sure that the university is around to graduate us.”
Also in attendance were Dr. Herman Thomas, Vice President for Academic Affairs. Terry Spicer,Director of Sports Media & Athletic Relations and Paul Vandergrift III, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.