Atlanta Daily World

Higher Education For Negroes

At the invitation of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, a Visiting Committee, made up of well known Negro educators, representing the Southern Association of Colleges, conducted a study of the physical facilities and equipment and the teacher preparation of these units to ascertain the extent to which these institutions satisfy the standards of the Association for the purpose of recommending priorities in the general building program.

At the Albany State College, the Commission found that the present staff is in need of improvement; that there are only five teachers with Ph. D. degrees, and that of these, one was the President of the institution and another the Dean, both of whom do a limited amount of teaching; that at least two new dormitories, one for men the other for women, should be provided to relieve present congestion; that a physical and health education-building be erected.

The Fort Valley State College faces many difficulties too. It's operating budget of $57,904 for 1950-51 is too small; the financial offices are too crowded and inadequate; ill housed; salary schedule is considerably below the schedule of state-supported colleges for Negroes in Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee; there is an outstanding need for office space for use by officers of instruction.

In brief, the Committee listed about 28 points at which the Regents should begin a serious campaign of improvement. At the Savannah State College the Commission finds: "The training of the faculty falls below the standards required for full recognition of the Association, with only one department head holding a doctorate degree; library falls below the present standards, books are inadequate and out of date, physical plant is congested; gymnasium has no dressing room, showers, nor classrooms, together with a great number of other deficiencies."

This then, is a word by word picture of the future as well as present status of our State supported higher educational institutions. It is serious, indeed. Add to that condition the fact that the Southern Association will discontinue rating any schools with the present "B" rating, then we are facing a period when each of these institutions will have no standing, except that the Regents act upon these recommendations promptly. The fact that they requested the study is indicative of a willing desire to effect great and speedy improvements. We hope they act at once.