Historically Black Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has seen its enrollment drop from 9,500 students to about 6,600 students over the past several years since new, tougher admissions standards were introduced seven years ago. This drop in enrollments has placed severe financial strains on the university.
In order to increase enrollments, the university has launched several new initiatives. The university is improving student services, increasing efforts to recruit high achieving students, and offering in-state tuition rates to students from outside of Louisiana. The university has a goal of increasing enrollments by 1,000 over the next year.
An HBCU is part of America and if Southern needs help then all those who can provide both the technical assistance necessary to increase the enrollment of a diverse population, it is time to stand and deliver.