Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading about the drama going on at Howard University. Apparently, over 200 of the more than 500 first-year incoming students who were unenrolled for the fall semester have been readmitted to the Washington, D.C. school. I mean, what a wild ride for these kids. One day they’re in, the next day they’re out, and now they’re back in again. I’m surprised they didn’t get whiplash from all the back-and-forth.
According to Wayne A. I. Frederick, the interim president of Howard University, many students and their families just didn’t understand the financial obligations they were expected to meet before the start of instruction in August. Bless their hearts, it’s not like the school didn’t communicate the requirements clearly. Frederick said the school had been clear since March about unpaid balances for tuition that were due by mid-July. You’d think that would give people enough time to get their finances in order.
Frederick explained that students who were unenrolled for financial reasons had outstanding tuition balances after their financial aid and scholarships were applied. Others were unenrolled because of unreported immunizations. I mean, come on, folks, get your shots and pay your tuition on time. It’s not that hard. As Frederick said, “I don’t think it’s just a simple matter of right or wrong. I think Howard adhered to its policies or procedures.” Well, there you have it, folks, the school was just following the rules.
As the news of the unenrollments spread, students took to social media to express their panic and uncertainty about their next steps. Many wondered where else they would continue their education so close to the start of fall semester at most schools. Somewhere in Atlanta, a producer thought this sounded terrifying and decided to make a big deal out of it. But in the end, the school started meeting and speaking with parents and students, which led to the reenrollments. Crisis averted, folks.
The school received about 37,000 applications for enrollment this fall, and about 2,200 incoming students remained enrolled after 502 were removed last week. One of the students who was initially unenrolled was Keana Johnson, a 17-year-old who lives in a shelter for teens and young adults in New York City. She was told after speaking in person with a Howard official that her enrollment had been reinstated. She said, “I feel great… I do feel there was a lesson to learn from this. I shed tears over this and I was really disheartened, at first, but I felt like I couldn’t give up.” Well, congratulations to her for not giving up.
In the end, it looks like everything worked out for the best. The students who were unenrolled got a second chance, and the school got to look like the good guy. As I finish my coffee, I’m left thinking that maybe, just maybe, we should all take a deep breath and remember that mistakes happen. And if all else fails, a good dose of perseverance and determination can go a long way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a refill on my coffee cup.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
