Paul Quinn’s accreditation loss is loss for the whole city
Categories: Dallas, Education, Featured, Justice/Law Enforcement, Sports
Written By: Shawn Williams
Paul Quinn College is not dead, but the grim reaper is walking out the door and headed in that direction.
While most of us were following the developments in the death of Michael Jackson, a local story has gotten somewhat lost in the mix. Paul Quinn lost its accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools after two years on probation. During those two years, President Michael Sorrell has instituted a number of fresh approaches to try to save the school, but the Southern Association says it’s not enough. Sorrell and Paul Quinn have appealed the decision.
Michael Davis of Dallas Progress makes a great point on why the accreditation is so important. “Because students at an unaccredited school can’t get financial aid” says Davis in a recent post about Paul Quinn.
I’ve got three questions for people reading this post.
#1 Do you care whether or not Paul Quinn is able to survive?
#2 If you answered yes, have you ever donated money (even $5) to Paul Quinn?
#3 If you answered yes, have you donated to P.Q. in the last year?
It all boils down to financial solvency. That goes for all of the black institutions that are struggling and in danger of fading away. I’m not suggesting throwing good money after bad. On the same hilltop in Southern Dallas, Bishop College was lost because they couldn’t pay the bills, and now the same thing could happen to Paul Quinn. But Sorrell has been a steadying force of the Purple and Gold, and the stability that’s been created is worth investing in.
The only overt sign of community support for Paul Quinn has been the Bishop 5 revival, which ran in the ’90s and made a brief comeback late last year. Without that type of support -from individuals and businesses- I fear that 3837 Simpson Stuart Road will become a black college memorial, a place dedicated to remembering the past instead of preparing students for the future. Paul Quinn will only go as far as the people of Dallas want it to.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am
What a timely article. Just this past Sunday, St. Luke had its HBCU day and was blessed to have President Micheal Sorrell speak at one of its services. All I can say is wow. He shared with us that after receiving the news of his college being stripped of its accreditation he wept, or should I say cried. When was the last time you heard a grown man admit to crying? What a touching moment. He also told us not to write Paul Quinn’s obit just yet. He also shared that for the first time in nearly 10 plus years the college has a blanced budget, an increase in enrollment, began to invest into the Rolling Hills Community, and plans for a one of a kind college prepatory school in which attendants could earn a high and college degree in 6 years. He also pointed out the fact that when they see you doing the right thing, that’s when they come after you. President Sorrell says he’s in it for the long haul, and he’s is needing the support of the entire Dallas community. He took a survey of the audience and asked how many had either attended an HBCU, or had a family member attend one… nearly 75% of those in attendance stood up including myself. He then went on to remind us that it wasn’t to long ago that HBCU’s where the only place Black’s seeking higher education could attend. Sorrell asked, will the Black Community in Dallas be the 1st community in history to have the distiguished honor of loosing 2 historically black universities? Keep in mind this is not just a Dallas problem, this is a Lancaster, DeSoto, Ducanville, and Cedar Hill problem as well. President Sorrell pointed out that part of the problem is “we” have left many of our communities to fend for themselves, and that by us moving to quote “South Oklahoma” and the “Deep South” we are in turn running from ourselves. Can we really run from ourselves? Can we afford to loose part this part of our history? I challenge each and every citizen in the southern sector of Dallas county to do something… call Paul Quinn, volunteer time, give money, write letters, do whatever it takes to make sure Paul Quinn stays a viable part of South Dallas’ community. If our children don’t see higher education at work, how will they know where to find it?
July 9th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
The state of Paul Quinn is just another glaring example of the inability of this cities African-American community to pull together for something bigger than our individual agendas.
We have more than enough resources in this city to support this historic institution. The sad reality is that we talk a good game but when it’s time for the rubber to meet the road we don’t put our money where our mouths are.