Please My Fellow Howard Students Wake Up!
By: Kristal Hansley
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Monday October 5, 2009, I walked into the A-building to return my financial aid documents, and I stumbled upon a package stating “Attention College Students!” As soon as I began reading I was hooked. This document informed me that I might be eligible to receive monthly food stamps. I had heard of this opportunity when I was a freshman, taking only 15 credits and staying in the Annex, but failed to look more into it. I am writing this note because I am a witness that the process is easy, and in three days I was holding a card with $174.00 that allowed me to purchase groceries. I was elated and I told all of my friends who are eligible to jump on the wagon because it’s a wonderful resource. If you have a job and work 20 or more hours, and you stay in a facility that does not cover meals-you qualify. If you have work study and that’s your only type of income, you not only qualify but you are eligible for expedited food stamps which would allow you to get your EBT card the next day! I was able to complete my entire process in one day and by Wednesday October 7, 2009 I had my EBT card.
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Now, I decided to write this note not only to inform people about this resource that is available to us, but to knock down some terrible myths and perspectives clouding our minds. A legitimate concern about it affecting your credit score is just a rumor. 
Please people, when you hear stuff like that you have to investigate. You just can’t accept garbage like that and allow it to stop you from receiving free money! Ok? Ok. So, during my period of excitement I had to tell every Howard student I came in contact with about this city resource I was able to capitalize on in such a quick time. To my surprise, not everyone seemed so excited and I was baffled. I thought to myself, now here is free money and people feel that it is in somewhat below them to go down to the human resources office and collect federal aid. Hello in there (knocking at the door of your brain) are you asleep? The big corporate banks scammed their way to receive federal aid, and here it is that you are legally entitled to this money and you feel some type of way. WTF? This program was designed to help people who are trying to help themselves i.e., poor college students who do not have any real money except for pocket change and who are thousands of dollars in debt! As stated above, you have to have a job to qualify. I wanted to ask my fellow HU peers so many questions such as: Why do you feel ashamed to take advantage of something that was purposefully designed to help you out? But, for some reason I was too shaken up to ask. It was mind-boggling to me that some of these students really thought it was degrading and humiliating.. What? Word to the wise my fellow peers, its degrading and humiliating for you not to take free money especially when you need it. It’s 200.00 a month that you can only spend on food, and for some reason you are too prideful? I am so appalled that I have to end my note right here because that mentality illustrated some sad state of minds. I feel overwhelmed at just the thought of elaborating. All I can say to those people is: STAY IN SCHOOL AND WAKE UP!
Howard Students, Wake Up!
On October - 15 - 2009
2 Responses
I wish the amount of time, money, and energy that’s expending on the Homecoming at Howard University would be directed toward more intellectual endeavors(i.e., the UGL, Founders Library, the “so-called” language lab, climate controlled classrooms, the ability to hold incompetent professor’s accountable, more course availability, and a more efficient and effective Administrator’s at all levels, and finally, to pay the “few” excellent professor’s a competitive and sustainable wage, etc…..).
I would argue that until Blacks at our beloved HBCUs have a mental cleansing and channel our intellectual brilliance to solving our plethora of problemss, we will continue to be seen as nothing more than 21st century buffoons wearing expensive clothes, driving expensive cars, and continuing a “legacy of being a “traitor to the Black race(in my opinion).
Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 1:59 am
I’m still puzzled that the personnel from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education team would even award Howard University accreditation for a wide range of systemic issues. First, you have library (i.e., the Undergraduate Library [UGL] and Founders alike) that’s clearly does not meet any standard of what a “research level I” should encompass. Case in point, the air quality in the UGL is most horrendous due to the extremely poor circulation (lack thereof) and not including the inability to have a consistent temperature throughout the library. Second, you have numerous electrical outlets that are exposed to the point that a student could be electrocuted (knock on wood!!!). Third, the UGL does not have sufficient tables and desks in which it would allow for students to actually cultivate his/her intellectual capacity. Finally, on the UGL, the security operations are second-rate by any measure including private security lack of professionalism and the decrepit monitoring equipment. Not including they (i.e., the Middle States Commission on Higher Education team)should walk the entire stacks in the UGL and experience the high heat index that is the norm for this area while the “so-called” library Administrator’s just accept this and not rectify this long ongoing issue.) Further, if the personnel the Middle States Commission on Higher Education team actually visited the any of the academic buildings(i.e., unannounced that is), they would be really shocked as to what they would see in the form of “managed chaos” from an operational perspective(i.e., disheveled classrooms, non-functioning water fountains, non-functional SMART rooms, etc…).
From a pure security standpoint alone, based upon all of the students who have been robbed, assaulted, raped, shot, and harassed [by students and non-students alike] on campus and not including the “danger-zone” like issues from the various parking lots. For those who may dissent, I would like for them to ask any female student how safe do they feel walking out to the parking lots when the sunsets. As a result, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education team should issue an injunction that requires Howard University to immediately install state of the art surveillance cameras covering all parking lots, the library, and any other university property that will be monitored by “trained” personnel. In order to cover such costs, Howard University can defray such costs by redirecting the monies earmarked for the yearly buffoonery Homecoming activities.
Finally, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education team should actually spend time talking to students who are not part of the “Howard University” mouth pieces(i.e., most of the student leaders who maintain the status-quo even though they know such problems exists) in an effort to hear the “Realities” of Howard University to have an intellectually honest framework of Howard University.
In sum, until such changes occur, Howard University will be “reaccredited” and the status quo will continue while all of the students will suffer because a “few” so-called University Administrator’s are more concerned about continuing a “myth” while fattening their wallets/purses at the expense of those whom for which they serve, the Howard University students.
Regards,
Blackscholar
P.S. It is my hope the Middle States Commission on Higher Education team would venture over to the “cold war” like language lab, the chemistry buildings with the archaic equipment and the engineering building, etc.
Posted on November 4th, 2009 at 5:20 am
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