Controversy over Howard University’s decision to expel 502 incoming students is spreading across campus, as officials at New York and another college move to give homeless students a chance to enroll before the fall semester begins.
Howard announced last week that he had enrolled 502 incoming students after finding they had not met payment, payment plan or financial aid requirements by university deadlines—a decision that drew criticism from students and families who said they believed their aid was being rigged.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the state will help students affected by Howard’s decision, offering guaranteed admission to participating campuses of the State University of New York and the City University of New York to eligible New York residents.
Under this plan, SUNY and CUNY campuses that have space available in their incoming classes will enroll affected students, ensuring that this move does not reduce the chances of entry for other New York students, according to a news release from Hochul’s office. Eligible New York residents affected by Howard’s decision will be guaranteed admission to a SUNY or CUNY campus, while out-of-state students will receive expedited review of late admissions to available capacity campuses.
SUNY campuses that host non-enrolled Howard students include Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Buffalo State, New Paltz, Oneonta and Stony Brook, with additional campuses reviewing available capacity. Participating CUNY colleges will be announced following consultation with campus leadership.
Students enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY campus will also receive an $800 credit to help pay the nonrefundable registration deposit they previously paid to Howard, the release said.
“Hundreds of students, including New Yorkers, are panicking and scared as they have been kicked out of the college they intended to attend just weeks before classes start,” Hochul said in a statement. “New York is home to the nation’s best public higher education programs, and we are ready to welcome these talented students to the opportunity they deserve. To every student concerned that their educational future is in jeopardy: New York stands ready to support and empower you.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. in a statement he said, “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and we want to empower all students to access the affordable, quality public higher education they deserve.”
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said the program’s goal is to increase access to higher education and that “our doors are open” to students facing uncertainty after Howard’s decision.
It is unclear how many students affected by Howard’s decision are New York residents. However, last year’s enrollment data shows that New York was among the top states sending students to Howard, ranking second only to Maryland.
In Washington, DC, another institution has also stepped forward: The University of the District of Columbia, an HBCU not far from Howard, extended its enrollment deadline until August 7 for students affected by Howard’s decision, according to WUSA9.
Howard has also begun to reverse some of the student withdrawals. According to WJLA News 7, 46 students have been reinstated, and the university continues to review other student complaints.
In a Sunday interview with CNN, Interim President of Howard, Wayne Frederick, said it is not unusual for colleges and universities to remove students from enrollment lists after missing deadlines. However, he noted that Howard had never used deadlines as strictly as he did this year.
Howard didn’t answer Within Higher EdThe deadline for a request for comment is for responses from SUNY, CUNY and the University of the District of Columbia, as well as Howard’s ongoing review of student complaints.
