Howard University began an “enterprise-wide” cut last Thursday. The University plans to cut its workforce by 4 percent equaling about 200 staff positions. This news comes right after a New York Times story highlighting the economic troubles Howard faces. There were no specific details about which jobs will be cut or how many layoffs, but the Howard University teaching hospital could be effected, according to the Washington Post.

 

Hampton University president William Harvey and his wife, Norma, gave over $1 million to his alma mater Talladega College to inaugurate the William R. Harvey Art Museum, which will hold the Hale Woodruff Amistad Murals (via Tallageda College.)

 

Florida Memorial University appointed its first female president, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis. Artis will serve as the University’s 13th president. Since July 2013, Artis has served FMU’s interim president. Previously, she held faculty and executive positions at  Mountain State University. “I am honored to have been chosen by the Board of Trustees to lead Florida Memorial University at such a critical point in its history. This University has been a key component of Florida’s educational system for 135 years. The University has provided access to a quality education for generations of students, many of whom would not have had the opportunity were it not for FMU.  Its history is indeed rich and its future is bright.  I am confident that the best is yet to come!,” Artis shared.

 

Southern University Chancellor James Llorens’ contract voted against renewal by the Board of Supervisors with a 9-6 vote. Llorens has served as the University’s chancellor since July 2011, his contract is to end June 30 (via WAFB.)

 

Tuskegee University received $1.5 million from a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Monsanto Company, each giving $750,000. The fund will go towards building Plant Biotechnology Research Laboratories in the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences’ newly constructed Henderson Hall (via Tuskegee University.)

 

Philander Smith College celebrated the completion of the structural phase of the College’s new $5.3 million Campus Center with a “topping off ceremony.” The center, which will be completed this August,  is to included a 300-seat dining hall, student union, bistro and an outdoor meeting area (via Philander Smith College.)

 

Spelman College to start a new Intercultural Engagement Program in partnership with the Councill on International Education Exchange. The two-week study abroad program, which starts in May, will allow students to travel to South America, Europe or Africa. It is part of Spelman's "Going Global!" initiative, which aims to give every student international traveling experience before graduation, since 2009 it has increased the yearly average from 79-100 to 279 students (via Spelman College.)

 

Jackson State University opened Innovate, a new center for faculty to create digital content and expand development and training. The center includes touch-screen Mondopads, podcast recording devices and collaborative workspaces. Innovate is the first phase of JSU’s library’s move toward a “modern digital intellectual commons,” the next phase is Create, a digital student center to complete projects and expand studies (via Jackson State University.)

PLUS:

Bison Basketball Streaming Deemed a Success

Divided FAMU Trustees Offer President Magnum Restructured Contract

Hampton University Senior Interns with SOCHI Winter Olympics

FAMU Student Newspaper Now Online Only

Lance Gross Teams Up With Toyota for HBCU Green Initiative

Grambling State Wins $50K from AllState

Alambama State University President Gwendlyn Boyd’s Good First Impression