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News, Views and Careers for All of Higher Education

Aug. 24, 2005

For Black Men Only

At many colleges, “freshman learning communities” have taken hold as a way to make sure more first-year students become second-year students. Participants in these communities live in the same dormitory and take some or all of the same courses. The idea is to integrate students’ academic and non-academic lives, and to create an environment where students will help one another succeed.

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The University of West Georgia is among the institutions with such a program. But starting this week, the university is creating a new learning community — for black male students. Typically, freshman learning communities focus on general education or on a specific academic field. At West Georgia, the community for black men is an outgrowth of a professor’s vision for helping black male students improve academically while challenging the negative images of black men that pervade society.

“We have high expectations for students, and we’re telling students not to lower their expectations,” says Said Sewell, an assistant professor of political science who is leading the effort. “This program is about the mentorship of brothers supporting each other.”

Sewell believes that high academic achievement is linked to expectations — in and out of the classroom. The idea of having black students in a learning community is an outgrowth of Black Men With Initiative, a program Sewell created with a few black male students four years ago. Participants attend special study halls, organize campus visits by black male professionals, and wear dress shirts and ties one day a week — while avoiding sloppy dress all the time.

Appearances matter, Sewell says. There’s nothing wrong with dressing informally much of the time, he says, but there’s no reason for students to wear hats inside or “jeans that fall off your posterior.”

Students who are embracing the message say they are tired of being looked down on. “We’re trying to change the perception of black men,” says Chiedu Areh, a senior who is active in Black Men With Initiative, which will provide mentors to the students in the learning community. “Right now, the perceptions are that black males are lazy, unintelligent and unmotivated. When I work hard academically or dress up in a suit and tie, I give people a different image.”

Last year, the 25 students in Black Men With Initiative had a grade point average of 2.63. Black men at West Georgia had an overall GPA of 2.14.

Jan M. Bennett Jr., another senior active in the program, says that the semester before he joined, his GPA was 1.6. Today it’s a 2.7. The difference? “When I got here, I didn’t do the homework and would wonder why I failed the test. Now I go to the group study sessions and do my homework.”

Applying that idea more broadly is the idea behind the expansion of the program. All black men who were admitted as freshmen were given information about the program and invited to apply. The 25 students will live in the same dormitory as other students in freshman learning communities and will take the same five courses: Introduction to Communications, Critical Thinking, U.S. History 1865-present, Freshman English, and a special interdisciplinary course to be taught by Sewell on “What Do You Know About Manhood?”

Critical Thinking and Sewell’s course will have only the black male students enrolled. The other courses will also have other students from West Georgia. During the students’ second semester, they will take four courses as a group and one course that they pick individually.

Sewell received his undergraduate education at Morehouse College, known for its rigor and for being the only historically black college with only men as students. West Georgia couldn’t be more different. While more than 20 percent of its students are black, the enrollment of African-American students — as is the case at most colleges — is lopsided with women.

“I’m not trying to create a Morehouse at West Georgia. It wouldn’t work,” he says. “But there are certain systems in place at historically black colleges that I think are needed at any university.”

In particular, he notes that he wants students to know that someone cares about them — all the time. All the students get his home and cell numbers, and are told that they can call him at any hour, and that he’ll be checking on them, too.

Asked if he worries that the program could be considered segregationist because it is only for black men, Sewell says that while he does not know of any colleges taking this approach, he has watched the success of some public schools that have focused on the separate needs of black male students. Without a special focus, Sewell says, “African-American males frequently do not utilize resources to help them succeed academically.”

The black students in the program, he says, “will have a built-in support system” that should encourage more of them to focus on their studies and to graduate.

The university system in Georgia has made increased black enrollment a priority, he says, and his university’s administration has been strongly supportive. He rejects the idea that the program could be viewed as in any way political or controversial because it is only for black men. “This is an academic program. There is an issue in this state with low enrollment rates [of black male students] and we want to address that problem.”

Robert Kelly, a freshman who is just starting in the learning community for black men, says he saw the program as a way “to be successful in college right away and to have people to study with.”

Kelly, who wants to major in psychology, says he is willing to make the extra effort required of students in the program. “You can still have fun, but there’s a good way and a bad way to have fun,” he says. Dressing well and studying hard achieve many goals, Kelly says. “Most people see black men as not having goals. We do have goals.”

— Scott Jaschik

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Comments

For Black Men Only

Please provide a follow-up article to this program. I’m excited about its prospect of success, especially in a mostly White student environment. Perhaps other students of all races and both genders will be inspired by the program’s participants. Thanks for reporting on this!

Jodi Barnes, Teaching Professor at North Carolina State University, at 7:44 am EDT on August 24, 2005

For Black Men

I’d also like to see a follow-up story. Initiatives like this one are vital for universities to incorporate all students into the fellowship of learning. There will be naysayers, I know. I hope the program weathers the storms that they will inevitably bring.

Kevin Simmonds, Ph.D., at 8:11 am EDT on August 24, 2005

Yes, please keep up posted on their progress. It would be interesting to know how many brothers are in the first year class and how many applied for this program.

Joseph Williams, Case School of Medicine, at 8:34 am EDT on August 24, 2005

Learning Community for Black Men With Initiative

I am the President of the University of West Georgia, and am strongly supportive of this initiative. I stopped by for a while at the cafeteria lunch table where some of these students were eating and spoke with them. This was on the first day of the semester, and they already had strong dreams and ambitions of how this program was going to help them, and they were going to help the race! This demonstrates the initiative we are hoping to see.

Beheruz N. Sethna, Professor of Business, and President of the University at The University of West Georgia, at 9:14 am EDT on August 24, 2005

For Black Men Only

This is a good first step. Nebraska has a comprised mostly of minority students named the Melvin W. Jones Scholars Community. We are enjoying tremendous success. Our Jones Scholars are quickly becoming leaders throughout our campus by assuming RA jobs, and other visible positions. The first year’s class has formed an alumni group that is active, holding events every Friday. This is a primarily white campus and this community is a place of inspiration and achievement.

Deb Mullen, Academic Learning Comm. Coord at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at 10:15 am EDT on August 24, 2005

For Black Men Only

Count me among those who will following the success of these men. Okaloosa-Walton College has had a Pacesetter Scholars Program for black male for nearly 10 years. Each student is paired with a role model/mentor from a local black fraternity and other leaders in the black community. It too is only a start, but we must do it.

Jim Chitwood, Dir. of College Advancmentl at Okaloosa-Walton COllege, at 10:28 am EDT on August 24, 2005

I find it extraordinarily ironic that a program based on group identity is necessary to address the problems created by group identity.

Society has a negative view of African-American males precisely because they have been inculcated with the falsehood that to “act black” is to act out, and that to achieve academic success is to “sell out” their “own people.”

While I applaud the effort to challenge such harmful group think, I find it lamentable, though perhaps it is necessary, that this can only be done through more group think.

Eric Wang, Ending collective stereotypes by... collective action at University of Virginia, at 10:28 am EDT on August 24, 2005

President Sethna,

It might be a little too soon to judge. Every burnout, loser, and dropout I know had “strong dreams” on the first day of the semester. The proof will be in whether these students succeed (by the country’s standards of success) within 10 years.

Unfortunately, in 10 years most of the people behind this project will be working on other projects.

Larry, at 10:32 am EDT on August 24, 2005

Brothers operate under a unique and fascinating social dynamic that sometimes sets them up for failure in this society. I applaud any effort to neutralize the negative aspects and accentuate the positive as long as it keeps the individual’s true soul and spirit intact. Sisters are not looking for “Stepford” brothers.

Ngala, at 11:11 am EDT on August 24, 2005

I am so very proud of Mr. Sewell for taking action to correct a problem, and not setting on the side line talking about what need to be done. Yes there will be naysayers, and doubters but, you have already proved them wrong. I am one that know that it will work, it must work, if we are going to survive as a race. I also thank The University of West Georgia for their support of the program.

Johnny, at 3:03 pm EDT on August 24, 2005

How can he have proved anyone wrong yet ?

How can he have proved anyone wrong yet ? Nobody has graduated. Nobody has even proved that they can do better than the rest of the country or world (which is how people are measured.)

LArry, at 3:30 pm EDT on August 24, 2005

White

I wonder what the response would be if a program like this was tried with white students in a predominately African-American university.

I imagine it would be very different.

Why do people of a certain race need to be given a special program?

Kevin, Undergraduate, at 3:49 pm EDT on August 24, 2005

Supportive of the Effort

Newsflash to Larry: white students at predominantly white colleges/universities already have a majority white learning environment/program. (By the way, I am not a person of color)

Penny, at 4:27 am EDT on August 25, 2005

Penny, I don’t understand what you mean by that. Of course white people are a majority most places. They are a majority in the country, and I don’t think anyone really disagrees with me on that. Though some quibble about how that effects minorities. In fact, I am still at a loss as to why black men need to learn in a separate home (presumably with separate bathrooms and waterfountains).

Larry, at 9:50 am EDT on August 25, 2005

a great program ... but for whom ?

My views can be summarized in a rhetorical question: why pay for what everyone else gets for free ?

Proper mentoring, advising, and guidance are not things that need to be packaged in a formalized program or project. It should just be done. Other groups establish networks of mentoring and support in a much more “transparent” fashion — no gimmicks or advertisements.

I have an alternative take on this development:

Perhaps Black males don’t need a program to sit and eat lunch together. Perhaps “other groups” need this program to exist in order feel comfortable with Black males eating lunch together, or talking in groups more than 2, or studying together, or any collective activity.

Perhaps other groups feel safe and secure that these Black students are being monitored and regulated; and that they need not be initimidated or afraid of 20+ Black males “in suits and ties” walking around campus.

I hope this is not another example of “blaxploitation".

Lealon, Asst. Prof at RPI, at 1:28 pm EDT on August 25, 2005

Reality

Programs such as this are not necessary at all campuses. Depending on the characteristics and behaviors of students at your campus, a different program might be required. At an HBCU such as mine, we also observe significant underrepresentation of black male students. There is a problem. Solutions will (and should) vary by campus. Your target group might be different, but the objectives are to assure that all students are exposed to various types of diversity and that each is supported in being successful academically and personally.

You are all invited to:

African American Male SummitThe Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, School of Public Health, and the Educational Core of the Center of Excellence in Minority Health at Jackson State University are sponsoring an African American Male Youth and Young Adult Summit on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at JSU e-Center, 1230 Raymond Road, Jackson, Mississippi. The theme of the summit is Transforming from Boys to Men. There will be two events: Event 1- an educational conference from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Event 2- a forum for change from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. We anticipate about one-hundred participants for the educational session and about one thousand participants for the forum for change. The events are free. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and we would like to provide JSU football tickets (JSU vs Texas Southern) for the first five hundred participants that register. We invite you to participate in this worthwhile event. We are requesting a $10 donation to help defray the cost for meals, football tickets, and promotional material. Please send donations to African American Male Summit, Department of Sociology, Jackson State University. If additional information is needed, contact Dr. CoSandra McNeal at (601) 979-8276 (cosandra.mcneal@jsums.edu) or Dr. Issac Perkins at (601) 368-2050 (issac.perkins@jsums.edu). We look forward to seeing you at the summit.

Debra Buchanan, Dr. at Jackson State University, at 3:33 pm EDT on August 25, 2005

Educational communities

Please make sure HBCU administrators are aware of the concept of educational communities, and urge them to encourage their establishment on their respective campuses. Young black students, male and female, must be given every opportunity to succeed, both during and after college.

Carlton Lewis, Judge at Juvenile Court, at 11:57 am EDT on August 29, 2005

Black Male Mentoring Group

YES! to this idea.

They have these for white guys on lots of campuses — fraternities.

As a white male with a somewhat deviant background I could WELL have used such an environment to make the transition from (brainy) redneck fundamentalist backwoods Southerner to (everyday) inside-the-beltway Government functionary and Episcopalian (although I DID remain heterosexual and raised my boys that way :) ). I had to do my college en passant, paying out of pocket, so it was community and commuter colleges until grad school. So — did I miss out? no, HALF missed out. I got the book learning but not the social education I needed; and the book learning I basically got on my own anyway.

Rich Godfrey, at 4:38 am EDT on September 30, 2005

Remember! If you don’t remember and cannot trust anyone to give you an answer then read our histories(black,afro american, color, negro, or african),our history! Don’t talk about it! Be about it! Change!!! For the real answers, you better ask somebody “yourself"! For the truth, like freedom, lies from within “you"! Free your mind and you _ss will follow! Thank you all for your comments. They will be very useful in our Afro American men of all ages and our teenagers( younger men) open discussion next week. Stay alive. Live! God bless you all. Keep a pure heart and a clean mind,Brother Emmitte

emmitte h. lockley, job developer, at 7:33 pm EDT on October 18, 2005

We Label Ourselves

I am a black student at the University of West Georgia, thank you all for your comments.

My opinion is we label ourselves, but that label is usually for a reason. I do not need to join BMWI to become a black man with initiative.

But if I could not find the influence and discipline to be BLACK MAN, and to have INITIATIVE then BMWI would be a good source.

Programs are created to fill needs, and to influence.

There is nothing wrong with offering a venue to assist boys in becoming BLACK MAN WITH INITIATIVE, especially if there is a need for it.

If white boys are caring themselves as boys who lacks initiative then I suggest a program be created and funded to address that need too.

The issue should not be a black or white thing, but it should be an American thing. Because America sees the need, America pays the bills, and we are America.

And for the record, there are white students in the Black Men With Initiative program.

And for the writer...We are still waiting on your follow up.

CONTINUE LEARN, CONTINUE TO SHARE, AND CONTINUE TO MATURE

daniel.christiancustomz@gmail.com

Daniel, at 4:40 am EST on February 2, 2006

Job Well Done!

The efforts and committment of Sewell and other faculyt and staff at The Univeristy of West Georgia are to be commended. Brothers to tend to work better with like minded individuals. I am sure these men appreciate what is being done to assist them in their endeavors.

I wish there was such a program during my undergraduate experience. Keep up the good work and please let me know if I could be of any assistance to or for the program.

Takeem L. Dean, Resident Director at North Carolina Central University, at 5:30 pm EDT on June 6, 2006

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