Officials issue desperate plea for aid to Cheyney
As a deadline approaches that may threaten Cheyney University’s Middle States accreditation, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-2, of Philadelphia voiced their support for the country’s oldest historically black college.
In February, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education unanimously approved an $8 million line of credit to assist Cheyney, which had been struggling with declining enrollment and financial troubles. The state system also formed a task force to create a new institutional model for the state university.
The task force approved a conceptual framework for a new business model for Cheyney, including the creation of an Institute for the Contemporary African-American Experience. Other elements approved included block scheduling of general education, career and professional road maps, intrusive advising and pairing each student with a student success coach who would follow them from entry through graduation.
In May, Aaron A. Walton was appointed interim president to replace Frank G. Pogue, who had served in that position since November 2014 and was returning to retirement. Walton is former senior vice president of Highmark Inc. and has been a longtime member of the state system board of governors and California University of Pennsylvania’s council of trustees.
Cheyney University officials did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
Last month, a study completed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems evaluated all of Pennsylvania’s 14 state universities, including Cheyney, which share similar issues with declining enrollment and funding. It stated that closing any of the colleges would have a negative effect regionally and recommended changing the 20-member board of governors with lay people. It also said the state system needs to better balance union contracts with its educational mission.
In addition, in June, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education informed Cheyney that it had to show cause by Sept. 1 as to why its accreditation should not be withdrawn. As part of that, Cheyney must produce a report showing it can comply with financial resources, planning, resource allocation, institutional resource and administrative standards. Once that report is submitted, an on-site evaluation will take place to determine the university’s status.
Cheyney University has held Middle States accreditation since 1951 and as last reaccredited in 2014. Adjusted enrollment was reported to be 718 students although at one time, the campus surged with more than 1,500 students.
This week, Casey and Evans wrote a letter to Frank T. Brogan, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, to lobby on behalf of the Delaware County university, characterizing the situation as “it is on the verge of collapse.”
“We cannot let Cheyney collapse under our watch,” Evans said. “Our HBCUs play an incredibly crucial role in the stability and strength of our neighborhoods. If Cheyney loses its accreditation, the school will experience a negative domino effect as enrollment numbers will plummet and keep students from obtaining an invaluable academic education.”
In the letter, they wrote that although historically black colleges and universities only make up 3 percent of colleges and universities, more than 20 percent of African-American college graduates attend them.
In addition, according to a United States Commission on Civil Rights report, graduates from these colleges make up 40 percent of the African-American members of Congress; 40 percent of engineers; 50 percent of lawyers; and 80 percent of judges.
Both Evans and Casey wrote, “With these institutions having such a vast importance in our nation, it is imperative that we protect both the institution and their significant societal contributions by continuously ensuring their success.”
They noted Cheyney University, founded by Richard Humphreys in 1837 when the Quaker philanthropist chose to dedicate a third of his estate, totaling $10,000 in its day, specifically for the education of “descendants of the African race.” The letter referenced that the doors to the college opened on Feb. 25, 1837, almost 25 years before President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
The letter also spoke of the 41 Cheyney University student-athletes who earned Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete honors in the 2016-17 season for maintaining a cumulative 3.25 GPA or higher.
“Cheyney has played a vital role in shaping the lives of many Americans,” Casey said, “and we must do all we can to help that legacy continue. It has consistently demonstrated its ability to perform in educating its students and cultivating young leaders. At this great institution’s time of need, we must step up.”