Other News

COVID Waivers Set to Expire
Many of the waivers issued by the Department of Education due to the pandemic expire on December 31, 2020. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reminded member institutions that once the distance learning waiver expires, they will need accreditor approval to continue offering such programs. Read more.

What the Election May Mean for Higher ED
Although President Trump has not yet conceded, President-elect Joe Biden has begun assembling his transition team. His administration is expected to move quickly to tackle the pandemic and reverse federal policies, some of which are considered hostile to higher education. Specifically, he is expected to make community colleges free and reverse recent Title IX legislation. If congress fails to provide another round of stimulus money before the inauguration, he will likely have to address that in his early days as well. Read more.

Bipartisan Bill Establishes Business Centers
A bill introduced in the senate would authorize the Minority Business Development Agency to establish business centers at HBCUs in rural communities. The bill, Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020, was introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Read more.

Enrollment Patterns
Analysis of National Student Clearinghouse enrollment data and research shows undergraduate enrollment is up at for-profit institutions and down at public community colleges. Experts had predicted the pandemic would stimulate a surge in public community college enrollment. Read more.

Police Training Academy Approved
Missouri's Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission has approved Lincoln University's (Missouri) application to launch a police training center on campus. It is poised to become the first police training academy on an HBCU campus. Read more.

HBCUs at the Forefront of COVID-19 Fight
In September, the presidents of Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Howard University College of Medicine called on pharmaceutical companies to increase the diversity, in their vaccine trials. As the vaccines enter their final testing stages, these HBCUs are gearing up to participate. Both Meharry Medical College and Morehouse School of Medicine will take part in upcoming vaccine trials. Read more.

Spring Semester Plans
Some institutions are scrapping plans to return to in-person instruction for the spring and cancelling spring break due to the persistence of the coronavirus. Read more.

Employer COVID reporting requirements updated
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its COVID  reporting and record keeping requirements. Note that although colleges and universities are not obligated to keep records, they may be required to comply with reporting and other requirements. Read more.

CDC Updates for Higher ED
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance for higher education to provide information on ventilation, food service, contact tracing, direct service providers, and care of infected students and staff. The CDC also provided access to its study of a campus outbreak of COVID among student athletes. Read more.

HBCU ends in person classes
Citing spikes in COVID infections, Bethune-Cookman University announced it will conduct all classes virtually for the rest of the fall semester and will not participate in spring athletics. A curfew and shelter in place policy will be effective for students who remain on campus. Read more.

Settlement Thrown Out in Borrower Defense Case
United States District Court Judge William Alsup quashed the preliminary approval of an agreement the Department of Education made regarding student-loan borrower-defense claims. The cause resumes with attorneys ordered to depose officials from the Department of Education to determine if the rejections were valid. Read more.

University Expands its Community Outreach
Harris-Stowe State University cut the ribbon on its new Community Impact Network Education Center. The Center is housed in a renovated school building.. The University will offer college preparatory, workforce development, and continuing education programs. Read more.

Stakeholders Urge Congress to Aid Colleges
Ten advocacy groups asked congress to commit at least $120,000,000,000 to aid colleges and universities in meeting the challenges at hand. In a letter, the groups outlined the urgency of the situation. Without federal aid, the impact and fallout of the pandemic will persist long after the pandemic is over. Read more.

HBCU to Tackle Health Disparities
Tuskegee University has established the Center for Rural Health and Economic Equity. The Center will be led by co-directors Attorney Crystal James and Dr. Clayton Yates. The Center will focus on addressing COVID-19 health disparities. Read more.

Poll Shows Cuts Used to Counteract Shortfalls
Colleges and universities moved quickly to reduce their budgets in the wake of the pandemic. Rolls of adjunct and even tenured faculty have been trimmed. A survey of senior financial officers at colleges and universities reveals covid-induced cost cutting in facility management. Most participants reported reductions in unit management and leadership staffing. About half reported cuts in grounds maintenance and landscaping. Read more.

Settlement in student disability case
ACT, Inc., the college testing service, has agreed to pay $16,000,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by students who claimed the company: divulged their disabilities to colleges without permission, permitted colleges to search for students based upon disability status, excluded them from a recruitment program, and violated tenets of the Americans with Disabilities Act and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act. Although it denied wrongdoing, ACT, Inc. agreed to stop the practices. So far, comparable charges have not been levied against institutions that used the disputed services. Read more.
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Student Financial Aid

Compliance

■  The Academic and Religious Freedom Rule goes into effect November 23, 2020.

■  The Department of Education (ED) hosted a webinar to provide updated information on HEERF Reporting. The recording, slides, and a table listing reporting requirements are available.

■  The HEERF FAQ page and the CARES Act webpage have been updated.

■  The final version of the Distance Learning Rule goes into effect July 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted.

■  The Department of Labor revised the rule governing paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The rule expires December 31, 2020.

■  The IRS provided information on the rehabilitation tax credit available to property owners including tax-exempt entities that have formed limited partnerships to substantially rehabilitate a historical property.

■  The IRS published guidance regarding the reporting of deferred employee payroll tax.

■  FSA provided updated information regarding Revolving Fund Distribution of Assets Timeline for 2020–21 and Reimbursement for Perkins Loan Service Cancellations.

■  The policy regarding qualifying payment for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program has been updated. A new form and support tool will be available soon.

■  The email address used to report fraud to the Office of Inspector General is no longer valid. The complaint web portal should be used to report fraud. The report spreadsheet has been updated (Excel).

■  The COVID-19 Title IV Frequently Asked Questions page has been updated.

■  ED published a fact sheet on Procuring, Donating, or Loaning Personal Protective Equipment and Other Medical Supplies and Equipment Purchased with Federal Funds.

■  ED published a fact sheet providing information on Repurposing Federal Equipment and Supplies to Combat COVID-19.

■  ED published an updated FAQ for COVID-19 Title IV.

Deadlines

■  The two-step confirmation of SAIG mailboxes and user accounts must be completed by December 11, 2020 to maintain access to the system. Remember to delete individuals who no longer require access.

■  FISAP edit corrections must be submitted on or before December 15, 2020 .

■  The deadline for the Annual Security Report, the Annual Fire Safety Report, and distribution of the annual Equity in Athletics Disclosures is December 31, 2020. Note that the 2016 Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting has been replaced.

■  Updated versions of the TDClient and EDconnect software applications must be installed by February 6, 2021 to maintain access to the system.

■  The Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement requirement is postponed to 2021.

Updates

■  FSA launched the 2021–22 FAFSA Fall Campaign. Students and parents will receive email and/or text reminders. FSA encourages institutions to use similar language in their communications.

■  Formulas for the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) are available on the FSA Website.

■  The Fixed-Rate for Federal Student Loans Made Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program is available in the Federal Register. The maximum HEAL Program interests rates are available on the FSA website.

Notification of Supplemental Campus-Based Funds for 2020-2021 will be delivered to the financial aid administrator. FEMA-declared disasters may trigger a redirection of funds.

■  ED published a new edition of the Guide for Financial Statement Audits and Compliance Attestation Engagements of Lender Servicers Administering Federal Family Education Loan Program Loans.

■  The FederalReserve announced it has adjusted the terms of the Main Street Lending Program to target support to smaller businesses and nonprofit organizations during the pandemic.

■  The Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC) posted a status update on the pending addendum to the Office of Management and Budget's 2020 Compliance Supplement. They were permitted to review and comment on a draft of the addendum.

■  The Small Business Administration (SBA) published an update to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan FAQ page. It provides clarification on the deferral period for PPP loans (FAQ #52) and other aspects of the program. The SBA also published a revision to its interim final rule that updates the loan review processes and simplifies the loan forgiveness process for smaller PPP loans

■  The Office of Inspector General published its FYs 2021-2022 Annual Plan outlining the audits, inspections, and other activities necessary for oversight of the Department of Education.

■  Federal Student Aid (FSA) released the official cohort default rates for FY 2017. Institutions that have few borrowers entering repayment or only a small portion of the student body taking out student loans should use caution when interpreting their cohort default rate.

 

■  ED reallocated a portion of the Supplemental Campus-Based Funds (FSEOG) to eligible institutions located in areas affected by Hurricane Laura. Eligible institutions will be notified by email.

■  FSA published the list of institutions participating in Title IV programs. Corrections and customizations can be made through the E-App website.

■  A draft of the Federal Student Aid Fiscal Year 2020-2024 Strategic Plan is available for review. Feedback is requested.

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Appointments

Saint Augustine's University will proceed under the direction of Dr. Maria A. Lumpkin, as the campus and the entire HBCU community mourns the passing of Dr. Irving Pressley McPhail. Read more.

Tuskegee University announced Dr. Charlotte P. Morris will serve as interim president while President Dr. Lily D. McNair takes a six-month medical leave. Dr. Morris previously served as interim president in 2010 and 2017. Read more.

Mississippi Valley State University named Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr., vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. An experienced administrator, he most recently served at Edward Waters College. Read more.

Fayetteville State University named Ms. Dionne Hall director of the Counseling and Personal Development Center. Ms. Hall is a certified licensed counselor whose expertise includes mental health and substance abuse counseling. Read more.

Harris-Stowe State University named Dr. Aline Phillips executive director of the Harris-Stowe State University Community Impact Network Education Center. Dr. Phillips is an experienced administrator and a member of the University community. She previously served as director of Harris-Stowe State University’s Academic Resource Center. Read more.

Jackson State University named Mr. Jerome Tinker executive director for the JSU Development Foundation. Mr. Tinker had served as the executive assistant for the Foundation. Read more.

Rust College President, Dr. Ivy R. Taylor named Ms. Tiffani Perry chief of staff. Ms. Perry most recently served as public information officer for the Shelby County School District. President Taylor also announced the appointment of Dr. Dartell Treadwell as assistant to the president for strategic initiatives. Dr. Treadwell comes to Rust College from Alabama State University, where he served as an associate dean in the College of Health Sciences. Read more.

Dr. Lee Brown, Fayetteville State University's (FSU) interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, announced several appointments. Dr. Rollinda Thomas was named assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs. Dr. Thomas has served at the University for 10 years. Most recently, she served as the UNC System Office Associate Vice President for Academic Programs. Dr. Samuel Adu-Mireku was named interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. Before coming to FSU, Dr. Adu-Mireku served as an associate professor of sociology at Methodist University.Dr. Brown also announced Dr. Sharon E. Williams will serve as interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Williams has served as an associate dean since 2018. Read more.

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Kudos

Morehouse School of Medicine's Dr. Herman Taylor was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Membership in the Academy is considered on the highest honors in the field. Dr. Taylor is the director of Morehouse School of Medicine's Cardiovascular Research Institute. His pioneering work on genetic, physiological, psychosocial, and environmental influences on cardiovascular disease had an international impact. Read more.

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen was honored as one of Philadelphia's most influential African American leaders. The award will be presented by the Philadelphia Tribune. Read more.

Jackson State University's Executive Director of Communications has earned an appointment to the Strategic Communications Executive Committee for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). Ms. Maxine R. Greenleaf will work with higher education specialists and other professionals to support work in communications, public affairs, and public relations. Read more.

Harris-Stowe State University's Bachelor of Science in Finance was ranked in the top #25 Bachelor's in Finance programs in the country by College Rank. Read more.

Delaware State University Board of Trustees Chairperson, Dr. Devona William, has been inducted into the Delaware Business Hall of Hame. Dr. Williams, founder of Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc., became a trustee in 2012 and unanimously chosen to lead the board in 2018. Read more.

Xavier University of Louisiana announced that Dr. Sunda-Meyer, a professor and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the recipient of the American Physical Society’s 2021 Excellence in Physics Education award. The honor recognizes his sustained commitment to excellence in physics education. Read more.

Prairie View A&M University signed a memorandum of understanding with Sandia National Laboratory's Black Leadership Committee, the founders of S.T.A.R.T. HBCU (Securing Top Academic Research & Talent for Historically Black Colleges and Universities). The initiative will provide research, collaboration, and work opportunities for students and faculty. Florida A&M University, Norfolk State University, and North Carolina A&T State University are fellow S.T.A.R.T. HBCU participants. Read more.

Jackson State University has been designated HBCU of the Year by the Small Business Administration. The University received the honor during the SBA Mississippi 2020 Small Business Week, which was held virtually this year. Read more.

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Programs

Claflin University and the University of South Carolina have formed a partnership to give students in the communications and library and information science programs the opportunity to earn a dual degree. Eligible student will be able to earn both a bachelor's degree at Claflin and a master's degree from the University of South Carolina within five years. Read more.

Grambling State University's data analytics undergraduate program has been approved by the Board of Regents. The program awards a certificate in data analytics, a skill that can be applied to all majors. Read more.

Norfolk State University has formed a partnership with Netflix and 2U to hold a virtual boot camp. The Netflix Virtual HBCU Boot Camp will be a 16-week program featuring Java engineering, UX/UI design, and data science. The program will launch in January 2021. Read more.

Support for Business Students
Notable marketing companies have partnered with the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable to support students studying marketing at HBCUs. WARC, Cannes Lions, ANA Educational Foundation, the 4A's Foundation, and the Advertising Research Foundation are on board. Students will be able to access WARD's extensive digital platform. They will also have access to a repository of creative work and lectures from previous Cannes Lions Festivals. Read more.

Bowie State University launched a tech transfer program. The program will help faculty and students protect their intellectual property rights and facilitate commercialization of their inventions and ideas. Bowie's Entrepreneurship Academy will assist in developing the program. Read more.

Bishop State Community College has launched a community scholarship program for the spring semester. Eligible students will be able to take up to 9 credit hours at no cost in a buy one get one free offer. Read more.

Johnson C. Smith University alumni have developed a virtual seminar to help students interview successfully with Microsoft. Read more.

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Sports

Bethune-Cookman University announced the suspension of sports for the remainder of the 2020-2021 academic year. The University was the first NCAA Division l institution to opt out of sports due to the coronavirus. Read more.

Hampton University announced it would suspend spring sports, with the exception of basketball, which will be played on a modified schedule. Hampton is the second NCAA Division l institution to forgo competition due to the pandemic. Read more.

Allen University will once again play Division II sports as a provisional member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Allen left the SIAC in 1968. Read more.

Voorhees College named Mr. Cabral Huff as the head men's basketball coach. Coach Huff has extensive experience coaching both high school and college teams. He most recently led the varsity basketball team at the Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Read more.

South Carolina State University announced the suspension of athletics practices due to COVID-19. A member of the athletics staff tested positive for COVID-19. Athletes are under quarantine. Read more.

Langston University named Fachaitte Kinslow assistant director of athletics/compliance. Ms. Kinslow is an experienced counselor, who recently served as counselor for the Oklahoma City Public Schools system. Read more.

Florida Memorial University named Ms. Chevonne Mansfield interim athletics director. She is an experienced athletics administrator. Read more.

Hampton University announced the suspension of the 2021 spring season in football, cross country, track and field, sailing, softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and lacrosse. Basketball will play a modified schedule. Read more.

Central State University named Antonio O. Davis head men's basketball coach. Mr. Davis has extensive head coaching experience, including stints at several HBCUs. Read more.

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WPG Special Report