Howard University is one of the top HBCUs in the country. It the Mecca of prominent figures in the black community
• Builds self of pride for African Americans
• Encourages black thoughts and ideologies
• Inspires youth to focus on education
• Builds a black network
• Helps understand self identity
The representation of Howard University has dwindled within the past few years because of them trying to compete against predominately white institutions such as Harvard and Yale. However, their focus should be on competing, but educating. I could have attended Cornell University or University of Wisconsin-Madison- some of the top schools in the United States. But I declined their offers and accepted Howard’s. What interested me about Howard was the fact that I was centered on Black education. It pushes for Black excellence among its students. It inspires and encourages young Black individuals to better themselves with education. It gives young Black boys and girls a sense of Black pride. Howard University is needed to continually educate the masses of intelligent, talented Black individuals.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Can I Register for Classes...Please?
Registering for classes your freshmen year is usually something you are excited about. Seeing the many class options and the times it is offered is an experience in its self.
And then there is registering for classes at Howard University.
Registering for classes at Howard University is like being at war with a steel wall. You are not going to get anywhere. On April 7, 2011, registration opened up for all of the non Honor freshmen students. Registering for classes before coming to Howard was hell; however I did not expect it to be hell times 2 this time. I hoped for the best, but surely expected the worst. I brought my laptop to class just so I could register and get all the classes I already scheduled to get a week prior to. I logged in at 8:59 exact and got into Bisonweb with no hassle, but then 9:00 A.M. hit. Bisonweb went down and so did my heart. I tried and tried to log in to Bisonweb constantly, I even stopped focusing on my test I was taking just so I can secure my spot in the classes. But it didn’t matter because the Bisonweb server was down and was not coming back anytime soon.
It got to the point that angry Freshmen took to Twitter and Facebook to vent out against Howard and its useless servers. It was so popular, it became a trending topic in the Washington D.C. area.
The only thing Howard told us was that
Really though?
What about the first time we tried to register for classes? What about the years before us? This is obviously an on going problem.
Why is it that BisonWeb shuts down when we all have to register for mandatory classes? Why is it that Freshmen's are placed as the last priority than the other sutdents and even the sports team?
I should not be stressing about registering classes. With all of the money they have, they should put it towards fixing the servers that seem to be over 200 years old.
And then there is registering for classes at Howard University.
Registering for classes at Howard University is like being at war with a steel wall. You are not going to get anywhere. On April 7, 2011, registration opened up for all of the non Honor freshmen students. Registering for classes before coming to Howard was hell; however I did not expect it to be hell times 2 this time. I hoped for the best, but surely expected the worst. I brought my laptop to class just so I could register and get all the classes I already scheduled to get a week prior to. I logged in at 8:59 exact and got into Bisonweb with no hassle, but then 9:00 A.M. hit. Bisonweb went down and so did my heart. I tried and tried to log in to Bisonweb constantly, I even stopped focusing on my test I was taking just so I can secure my spot in the classes. But it didn’t matter because the Bisonweb server was down and was not coming back anytime soon.
It got to the point that angry Freshmen took to Twitter and Facebook to vent out against Howard and its useless servers. It was so popular, it became a trending topic in the Washington D.C. area.
The only thing Howard told us was that
Really though?
What about the first time we tried to register for classes? What about the years before us? This is obviously an on going problem.
Why is it that BisonWeb shuts down when we all have to register for mandatory classes? Why is it that Freshmen's are placed as the last priority than the other sutdents and even the sports team?
I should not be stressing about registering classes. With all of the money they have, they should put it towards fixing the servers that seem to be over 200 years old.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Self Assessment
I believe I am contributing to finding a solution by pointing out the problems and making simple changes to the Administration actions and attitudes.
My research is contributing to the solution because the research I have done is personal problems that many students have had to face.
Yes. Many students either have Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, texting or all combined.
I can improve my blog by not being as bias regarding the issue.
So far, blogging has made it somewhat easier to get my point out. My strengths is being able to use the various information that I have collected by different students and being able to get my point across.
My weakness is that I maybe making it a little too personal.
My research is contributing to the solution because the research I have done is personal problems that many students have had to face.
Yes. Many students either have Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, texting or all combined.
I can improve my blog by not being as bias regarding the issue.
So far, blogging has made it somewhat easier to get my point out. My strengths is being able to use the various information that I have collected by different students and being able to get my point across.
My weakness is that I maybe making it a little too personal.
To think my sad experiences with Howard University and its administration is rare, think again. Just in 2009, students organized a protest against the administration.
Why you ask?
Various Reasons as stated by Jeanette Hordge
• Financial Aid
• Customer Service
• Students not being validated
• Student not receiving housing
• Requests to pursue their studying
PART 1
Students hold up signs saying
>>Students First!
-------In regards to Financial Aid, the Administration building, in the classrooms, etc.
>>>No More Silence
-------A student believes that the student body should voice and take what is rightfully theirs
Ie: The demands and request from the students.
>>>We Want Aid!
>>>Show Us The Money
>>>24 Hour Library
PART 2
PART 3
PART 4
Why you ask?
Various Reasons as stated by Jeanette Hordge
• Financial Aid
• Customer Service
• Students not being validated
• Student not receiving housing
• Requests to pursue their studying
Students hold up signs saying
>>Students First!
-------In regards to Financial Aid, the Administration building, in the classrooms, etc.
>>>No More Silence
-------A student believes that the student body should voice and take what is rightfully theirs
Ie: The demands and request from the students.
>>>We Want Aid!
>>>Show Us The Money
>>>24 Hour Library
Unexpected, Unannounced and Overdue
Before coming to Howard, I made sure to check that my account balance was 0 so that I don’t have any unexpected expenses coming out of my pocket. Sure enough, my balance was 0.
I soon stopped looking at my account as I was before hand and during Freshmen week due to the fact that I had just started school and was busy trying to get all of my priorities regarding school straight. Me ignoring my account for 2 days was certainly a bad idea. On August 25, 2010, Howard said I owed $1162.58 due to my financial aid not covering my meal plan even though just a few days ago I was told my financial aid fully covered all my school expenses. The administration supposedly mailed out the notice a week prior (August 18) to the due date of the 25th of August. But since it arrived at my mother’s house on the 25th of August, it only gave my mother 2 days to come up with $1162. Because of other expenses, my mother worked out a deal with Howard to match what we paid. We ended up paying $581.25 on August 27, 2011.
3 months later I received an email from my mother saying, “Got a statement today saying that you still owed $581.25 on your account. I talked to Ms. Jacobs and she acted like she didn't remember the agreement we made. That was the half they were supposed to take off. Finally she remember, but said it wasn't paid until November. I told her no it wasn't it was paid on August 27. I talked to her on the date to let her know I paid it and you brought the receipt in the office. She was able to pull up the receipt and said she will get that over to Mr. Kendall to take off the balance, but she still doesn't remember you bringing the receipt to her office. She also said there was a $100 late charge on the account that she will take off because it was paid on time.”
My situation is far from rare. I have heard of numerous cases in which Howard University mischarged, over charged, forgot to announce the individual they charged, or only given a day or two to pay off the amount they charged. There have also been cases where two different people working in the Administration building would give you two different balances for two different reasons.
It’s situations like this and others which lead me to believe that Howard’s Administration is not organized nor prepared to handle student finances with care. Too many times have mistakes caused students financially and/or emotionally. Howard needs to replace the slackers who are causing these problems with someone/people who care and will strive to help the students with their finances, not confuse them on the bases of their ignorance(s) and mishaps.
• Make sure that if I or any other student owes a balance, contact them at LEAST two weeks prior to via email, mail, phone or face to face.
• Make sure all information that the staff know/tell is ACCURATE
• Hire professionals who are KNOWLEDGEABLE about the charges and the reasons they were charged.
I soon stopped looking at my account as I was before hand and during Freshmen week due to the fact that I had just started school and was busy trying to get all of my priorities regarding school straight. Me ignoring my account for 2 days was certainly a bad idea. On August 25, 2010, Howard said I owed $1162.58 due to my financial aid not covering my meal plan even though just a few days ago I was told my financial aid fully covered all my school expenses. The administration supposedly mailed out the notice a week prior (August 18) to the due date of the 25th of August. But since it arrived at my mother’s house on the 25th of August, it only gave my mother 2 days to come up with $1162. Because of other expenses, my mother worked out a deal with Howard to match what we paid. We ended up paying $581.25 on August 27, 2011.
3 months later I received an email from my mother saying, “Got a statement today saying that you still owed $581.25 on your account. I talked to Ms. Jacobs and she acted like she didn't remember the agreement we made. That was the half they were supposed to take off. Finally she remember, but said it wasn't paid until November. I told her no it wasn't it was paid on August 27. I talked to her on the date to let her know I paid it and you brought the receipt in the office. She was able to pull up the receipt and said she will get that over to Mr. Kendall to take off the balance, but she still doesn't remember you bringing the receipt to her office. She also said there was a $100 late charge on the account that she will take off because it was paid on time.”
My situation is far from rare. I have heard of numerous cases in which Howard University mischarged, over charged, forgot to announce the individual they charged, or only given a day or two to pay off the amount they charged. There have also been cases where two different people working in the Administration building would give you two different balances for two different reasons.
It’s situations like this and others which lead me to believe that Howard’s Administration is not organized nor prepared to handle student finances with care. Too many times have mistakes caused students financially and/or emotionally. Howard needs to replace the slackers who are causing these problems with someone/people who care and will strive to help the students with their finances, not confuse them on the bases of their ignorance(s) and mishaps.
• Make sure that if I or any other student owes a balance, contact them at LEAST two weeks prior to via email, mail, phone or face to face.
• Make sure all information that the staff know/tell is ACCURATE
• Hire professionals who are KNOWLEDGEABLE about the charges and the reasons they were charged.
Sooo…. Howard has their own books?
In college, books for your classes become some of the most expensive expenses for any college student. The books could go from 50 dollars or all the way to 300. Finding a website that sells the needed book or possibly someone who is selling the book takes a huge burden of your already overly stressed shoulders. The good thing about that is, finding a used book for much less is not hard to find, unless you are a Howard University student.
First semester of college, I was supposed determined to find all the books, all 8 books, for my classes. I surely wanted to start of my first semester of college prepared. However, while searching far and wide, I found that finding cheaper books were practically impossible.
Howard Edition!
A VOUS (VOLUME I CUSTOM TEXT): Howard Edition-$114.99
Writing Matters: Howard Edition-86.99
Finding used Howard Edition books for cheap is like finding a needle in a hay stack. As other universities use a general book that can be found online or by other students nationwide, Howard “customizes” their books to fit Howard. It also hikes up the price.
I understand that the university wants everything to be catered to them when it comes to their curriculum. However, they have to understand that we are college students. Many of us, such as myself, cannot continue to pay for these overly expensive Howard edition books nor can I keep taking out loans to ease the cost of books. And to make these books mandatory to have without offering another option is wrong. I know for a fact that these books are not as expensive as they are priced, not adding the extra $7.00 tax they put on it. In fact, I do not understand the difference between a general subject book and a Howard Edition book minus the fact that it says Howard Edition on the cover.
I honestly feel as if I am being taken advantage of, as well as many other students. I think Howard should do away with the Howard Edition books and start teaching out of general books other universities use to ease the cost for the many financially struggling college students.
First semester of college, I was supposed determined to find all the books, all 8 books, for my classes. I surely wanted to start of my first semester of college prepared. However, while searching far and wide, I found that finding cheaper books were practically impossible.
Howard Edition!
A VOUS (VOLUME I CUSTOM TEXT): Howard Edition-$114.99
Writing Matters: Howard Edition-86.99
Finding used Howard Edition books for cheap is like finding a needle in a hay stack. As other universities use a general book that can be found online or by other students nationwide, Howard “customizes” their books to fit Howard. It also hikes up the price.
I understand that the university wants everything to be catered to them when it comes to their curriculum. However, they have to understand that we are college students. Many of us, such as myself, cannot continue to pay for these overly expensive Howard edition books nor can I keep taking out loans to ease the cost of books. And to make these books mandatory to have without offering another option is wrong. I know for a fact that these books are not as expensive as they are priced, not adding the extra $7.00 tax they put on it. In fact, I do not understand the difference between a general subject book and a Howard Edition book minus the fact that it says Howard Edition on the cover.
I honestly feel as if I am being taken advantage of, as well as many other students. I think Howard should do away with the Howard Edition books and start teaching out of general books other universities use to ease the cost for the many financially struggling college students.
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