-Angelot Ndongmo-

Cousins!

Howard University students and alumni are progressively losing confidence in their administrative staff for the lack of follow through. For what appears to them, as empty promises of conflict resolution and insensitive remarks made by their dean, at the famed Howard University in Washington, D.C. 

A spokesperson for Howard spoke exclusively to theGrio stating, “We are hopeful that a resolution will soon be reached. Howard University President, Wayne A.I Frederick met with Reverend Jesse Jackson during his visit to Howard’s campus on November 1st”, adding “all official negotiations in regards to the protest have remained, between the University’s general counsel and the legal counsel representing this group of students.”

Both current Bison and alumni are not ready to break bread with the administration just yet and tension is at an all time high. There has still been no end to the conflict since the Reverend Jackson himself took a meeting with the President, to address the protestor’s concerns of mold infestation, poor living conditions and rodents running amuck.

In another troubling move, Howard has removed alumni and students from the board of trustees leaving them all in the dark. Prior to this, it was customary to include them in conversations surrounding important decisions. Another complaint on the part of protestors is regarding their lack of transparency. 

“That’s really what started all this mess,” said Barbara Covington Gardner, class of 1976 graduates. “I think the students and everybody would have at least tried to talk to them. But when they’ve got mold and all these things in the dorm? And you remove their voice? Come on now.”

What felt like a no-brainer back in May of this year, seems to have turned into a little buyer’s remorse for the Bisons with respect to their newly appointed dean of the recently reestablished College of Fine Arts, Phylicia Rashad. 

A video clip sparked a wider discussion among students, alumni parents and donors, on whether the dean should fulfill her position. Rashad and her sister Debbie Allen were being interviewed on campus. Allen said “…and I loved checking in with the students… In any country when the students don’t speak out, the nation is not doing well. And when the students do speak out..” Rashad abruptly interjected in a manner that could be perceived as cavalier, saying “When the students do speak out and they have been heard and their concerns have been addressed and it’s still not enough, what about that?” To which Allen replied “Well that’s a whole other thing.” and Rashad said “That’s what’s going on now” Her younger sister innocently asked “So are the concerns being addressed?” and a voice from somewhere in the background quickly answered “No”. At that point the dean ushered her baby sister inside away from the cameras. When a reporter asked one more question as the talented duo entered the building, this time Allen quickly replied “I’m here to listen” and plastered a tight smile on her face as her older sibling repeatedly said to her  “I wouldn’t get into that if I were you.”

Yaya Manuel, a freshman and one of the protestors expressed “It doesn’t seem like she’s here for progress. It doesn’t seem like she’s here to be supporting students and to be facilitating them and helping them grow and achieve their goals, which is her job as a dean of this school. And as for her lack of understanding of the student body, we would much rather prefer having someone else who actually cares about the students well-being, than having someone who dismisses our efforts of trying to make progress in the community.”

Alumni 1986 graduate, Steven Jackson, stood strongly against the University’s sluggish efforts telling the media “I have no confidence in this administration, zero confidence, because they haven’t shown any love to our children,” adding the administration is “absolutely not” protecting the students digitally or physically while on campus.  

Another concerning exchange, for any parent, happened as Police arrived while theGrio was on campus. The media witnessed Jackson and other alumni who were filming, being told to stop filming. One of the students, Tyler Davis, was interviewing with an alumni and saw an officer present who allegedly had a physical altercation with a student previously. 

Davis asked campus security directly “My question is why is this armed officer putting his hands on students when he’s not allowed to do that and why do y’all keep bringing him up here?” To which the officer in question snapped back “That wasn’t a student, young lady. That was a full grown adult.” Campus security in an unmarked vehicle told the officers to get back into their cars because they were being filmed. The University has taken the position that  they conducted an investigation and no assault occurred. The officer continues to attend his regular shifts there.

Cousins, what are your thoughts on Phylicia Rashad and the campus’ response towards the Howard students?