Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-04

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
FOR NEGROES.

Adequate college and university
education for colored people is urged
by DR.. Thomas Jesse Jones of the
United States Bureau Of Education,
Department Of the Interior, in the
two--volume report of Negro Education
just issued by the Department.
"If college education IS Of value to
any group, s.rely 1t is to those who
are to be leaders of the colored peo-
pie. Only broadminded leadership
with thorough grasp Of human devel-
opment can understand tho peculiar
difficulties resulting form the close
proximity Of such widely varying
races as the black and the white peo-
pie OF the Southern States.
THE race must have physicians of
real skill and the spirit Of service to
lead against the insanitary conditions
that are not only threatening the
group itself but also its white neigh
bors. 1t must have religious teachers
who can relate religion to the morals
OF the individual and to tho common
activities OF the community. 1t must
nave teachers Of secondary schools
who have had college education In
the great modern sciences and in the
historical development Of civilization"
Or. Jones points out that despite
nigh ideals and notable enthusiasm
on the part Of the race and It's bene-
factors, most Of the colored institu.
lions calling themselves colleges are
poorly equipped and ineffectively or.
ganized and administered Only q few
institutions at present have the stu.
deht body, equipment, and teaching,
torce or a genuine college, but a num-
per or institutions do some work of
college, grade. The location Of two
or more colleges for Negroes in Selma,
Ana, Little Rock, Ark, Atlanta, Ga.
new Orleans. La, Holly Springs and
jackson, Miss, Greensboro, N. c.,
Coiumbla and Orangeburg, S. c., Nash.
vHte' Tenn, Austin, Marshall, and
waco, Tex, indicates wasteful dupli
cation OF collegiate effort.
ANY plan for further DEVELOPMENT
or coliege and university education for
negroes should. according to DR..
Jones, take into consideration In.
come, plant, teaching force, and pre.
sent location Of schools Offering more
or less college work. Every institu.
ZION should realize that success and
hohor and human service are not
necessarily attained through q college
department or even through an indus.
.riai or agricultural plant" The Ru-
ieaus report suggests that all agencies
interested In Negro education CO.
operate IN the development OF a few
i"nsSsltutQsons nf university anu ,oiiege
sraoe There seems to be eenerol
agreement that Howard University Mt
washington, and Fisk University Mt
NASHVILLE, Tenn arc tha moot ,ro,,,
1s1ng institutions for DEVELOPMENT as
universities 1t is suggested that
hrst-class colleges be located at Rich
illoho' va, Atlanta, Ga, and Marshall,
rex. sun another group OF institu-
lions should be developed into junior
colleges or institutions doing two
years or college work. A number of
INSTITUTIONS arc already Offering
courses or this grade but they arc all
IN need or mere equipment and larger
income. These institutions, DR.. Jones
points ont, should make generous pro-
vision for teacher-training courses,
both in their secondary and college
classes.
THE education Of Negroes in Amer
lea undoubtedly requires institutions
that arc genuinely Of college grade"
says DR.. Jones THE first step in the
realization Of mis- need is the agree
ment that all shall combine in an eff
fort to develop a few well-selected
institutions. The second require
mcnt is the determination OH the part
OF the institutions that every college
activity shall he adapted to the de-
mands Of modern society"