Jonetta Rose Barras, The Examiner
2008-04-10 07:00:00.0
Current rank: # 5,815 of 5,539

WASHINGTON -

Some people hoped Stanley Jackson would resolve the problems at the University of the District of Columbia. But, as the current acting president, he has been generating a stream of complaints. Recently, the faculty senate unanimously voted “no confidence” in his leadership.

The senate is dissatisfied with Jackson’s appointment of Eurmon Hervey Jr. as acting vice president for academic affairs. The group’s steering committee, after interviewing Hervey, found his credentials inadequate.

In 2005, Hervey became assistant state superintendent for post-secondary education and work force readiness in the D.C. State Office of Education. He served for one year as visiting professor at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. From 2003 through 2004, he was acting vice president for institutional advancement at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss.

“[Hervey] is temporary and will not be the permanent provost. He’s going to appoint an adviser to work with him,” Jackson says.

“That kind of thing is unheard of,” says Sydney Hall, faculty senate president. “Stan just doesn’t know what a university is all about.

“He is treating this like his little toy,” continues Hall. “There are more vice presidents now then there were under [former President William] Pollard.”

Jackson says Hervey will help attract much-needed resources. Which sounds like the provost will serve as development officer.

“All of it’s connected to me,” counters Jackson.

This recent dustup comes after a year of continuous controversy, beginning with the ouster of Pollard and Provost Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke, and the discovery that James Dyke, chairman of the UDC trustees, snagged more than $400,000 of District funds for Northern Virginia Community College where he served on a board that raises money for that school.

UDC is a basket case. There are problems with the large percentage of the school’s budget that goes for administration. The facility is crumbling before everyone’s eyes, the list of courses isn’t competitive, and trustees seem more focused on their pet projects rather than the entire institution.

“Nobody really cares,” says Wilmer Johnson, a member of the senate steering committee. Despite calls for help from faculty and students neither Mayor Adrian Fenty nor D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray has taken significant action.

Meanwhile, a movement is building to convert UDC into a community college. That would be disastrous for those District residents who want a four-year college degree but can’t afford the tuition at many of the private schools. For these individuals, UDC is their last best hope.

If the mayor and council are serious about education reform, they can extend their efforts to UDC. They may want to begin with helping to reshape the board of trustees. The terms of five members expire next month. Fresh, energetic people who believe in the mission of the school should be sought to fill those positions post haste.

Jonetta Rose Barras is the political analyst for WAMU radio’s D.C. “Politics Hour with Kojo and Jonetta.” She can be reached at rosebook1@aol.com.