The Role Of Black Colleges And Universities
January 1988

Since it began last February, North Carolina Public Television's Black Issues Forum specials have looked at two vital issues confronting the black community in North Carolina-- the role of black youth and the strategy for economic development.

This month, Black Issues Forum probes into the history and changing goals of black higher education. The forum, titled "The Role of Black Colleges and Universities," addresses both how the schools contribute to society and what difficulties they must overcome. Taped at Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, The three areas of discussion were:

1) The historical perspective of black colleges and universities, covering educational philosophies, assessment of current cultural status and contributions to society. Questions that will be answered include: How did the schools get started, why so many in North Carolina (more than any other state) and what have been the schools' resources?

2) The schools' past role and how it has changed, including a look at the impact of desegregation (Adams vs. Board of Education), demands of students in the marketplace and accommodating students who enter unprepared.

3) The present and future role, looking at securing more adequate resources and raising civic responsibility (both in terms of the school to the community and the community to the school).

PANELISTS:

Dr. Edward B. Fort, chancellor of N.C. A&T State University, Greensboro, NC.

Dr. Lloyd V. Hackley, chancellor of Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC.

Senator William N. Martin, N.C. General Assembly.

Dr. Lee Monroe, Senior Education Advisor, Office of the Governor of NC.

Dr. Gloria Scott, President of Bennett College, Greensboro, NC.

Dr. Cleon F. Thompson, Jr., Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC.

Dr. Joyce L. Perry, Superintendent, Halifax County Public Schools System.

The panel discussion was moderated by Valeria L. Lee, Chair of the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television and Program Development Officer for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The Executive Producer is Dr. Paul Vandergrift.