Florida A&M University and Alabama State University are amongst the eight universities whose football programs recently got banned from postseason 2015 games due to an increase in the minimum requirement for the NCAA’s Academic Program Rate. The Academic Progress Rate is used to track the overall academic progress of a team. The NCAA has raised its APR point system from 900 to 940 to be eligible to play, each member of the team earns a point for staying in school and another point for being academically eligible. For HBCUs in general the average APR rate has increased 23 points over the past three years now sitting at 953 via CBS Sports. The men’s basketball team at Florida A&M University has also been banned from 2015 postseason play for the same reason. Florida A&M’s Athletic director Kellen Winslow said the teams are working on implementing improvements. (Via USA Today)

In response to the postseason bans, Texas Southern University president John Rudley spoke out saying that smaller schools, especially HBCUS, who have fewer resources are “severely handicapped” and need help from the NCAA. Rudely said that the bar set at a 50% graduation rate for athletes is something that HBCUs can’t meet as there is a 36% graduation rate for all students. (Via The Washington Times)

There are major tensions between Alabama State University’s new president Gwendolyn Boyd and the Board of Trustees, according to back-and-forth emails obtained from the Montgomery Advisor. The emails followed Boy’s decision to switch up the organization chart and revealed Boyd accusing trustee Marvin Wiggins and Elton Dean of bullying, intimidation and harassment, while Diggins and Dean expressed their unhappiness with with new chart. In a letter sent Monday, April 28, Dean writes: “I write this letter to you on behalf of the (ASU) board of trustees out of profound concern with regard to the way you have chosen to manage your interaction and relationship with the ASU board. It is unclear what has caused a shift from our very open, communicative and positive relationship to one that appears to be acrimonious and contentious, and to borderline on blatant disrespect and insubordination.” But Dean stated at a board meeting last friday that the issues between Boyd and the Board have been worked out, and they now stand behind her. (Via Montgomery Advisor)

Ninety part-time and temporary employees at South Carolina State University were laid off as a result of the university’s efforts to cut spending and reduce their cash shortfall of $13 million. The employees’ tenure with the university ended on May 15, 2014, and they included office coordinators, athletic staff, security specialists and administrative assistants. This is the SCSU’s second round of layoffs. Just two weeks ago, the university was given a $6 million dollar loan from the state to also help pay employees and decrease debt. (Via The T and D)

Thirty Howard University undergraduate students studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) will be traveling to eight different countries including Turkey, Romania, South Africa, Ethiopia and Thailand to conduct research projects. The students will be participating in the National Science Foundation-funded Global Education, Awareness and Research Undergraduate Program. Research will include everything from studying cyber security in Romania to investigating earthquakes in Mexico and Turkey.

 

PLUS:

Clark Atlanta Awarded $7.4M Grant From NIH For Cancer Research

 

Holder Confronts Racial Issues In During Morgan State University Commencement Address

 

Howard University’s 23 Year Old Medical School Graduate Brittany Mcunu