Florida Memorial University is the only historically Black university in South Florida. Known for having some influential Black figures as students, the university may be at risk of closing its doors for good, according to Miami New Times.
Reporters say the 142-year-old private institution in Miami Gardens is facing difficult financial issues, which may lead to its accreditation being revoked.
Its accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), placed FMU on yearlong probation in July to address its lack of "financial responsibility" and failure to comply with financial aid program duties. If it doesn't do so by June next year, the university could lose its accreditation.
Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund, claimed SACSCOC's accrediting standards were created for "large, wealthy, predominately white public institutions." HBCUs have historically been underfunded compared to predominantly white institutions.
"It's very sad to see what the university was and see where it is now," FMU alumnus Terrell Brown told the New Times. "There's a lot of history, a lot of legacy there. It would be very heartbreaking, honestly, if something were to happen to the university in terms of its accreditation."
Brown, who is an assistant professor at Florida A&M University, says the FMU's focus has shifted to athletics recently. "I mean, sports, that's fine. Football is fine. But I do think that there needs to be a refocusing on academics, enrollment — those things need to be primary," he says.
Reporters learned that FMU has been facing other issues besides its financial woes, from multiple lawsuits and falling enrollment to scandals involving rape and sexual misconduct.
Sharee Gilbert, FMU's director of communications and marketing, told the New Times the university plans on addressing their enrollment and financial issues with "new enrollment initiatives, academic programs, enhanced infrastructure, as well as new programs in its athletic, band, and certificate (or nondegree) programs."
"FMU is well on its way to resolving the outstanding issues," she says.
Click here to see the Miami New Times' full report on the situation.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on theiHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.