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What's Happening at HBCUs

The AAUP actively reports and comments on issues affecting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), for example by condemning terrorist threats, fighting systemic racism in higher ed, supporting faculty rights (especially concerning Title VI investigations under the Trump administration), advocating against institutional debt, and promoting shared governance.

Ongoing and Recent Activities
Biennial Summit Plenary: HBCU and Scholars of Color Roundtable Discussion
The Fired Six at Virginia State
Shared Governance and Academic Freedom
Solidarity and Advocacy
The Loyalty Oath Compact Fight at HBCUs
Historical Philanthropy: MacKenzie Scott's Transformational Giving
Faculty and Institutional Excellence at Spelman College
Lincoln University: Contract Gains and Community Challenges
Tennessee State University
Threats and Safety Challenges Facing HBCUs
Collective Action in Defense of Higher Education
AAUP Growth and Organizing at HBCUs

Biennial Summit Plenary: HBCU and Scholars of Color Roundtable Discussion

The AAUP 2026 Higher Ed Summit and Biennial Meeting featured an HBCU roundtable discussion--a structured, collaborative conversation that brought together leaders and faculty from HBCUs to discuss shared priorities, challenges, and opportunities. Summit attendees heard from Antoinette Abeyta of the University of New Mexico–Gallup, Marcus Alfred of Howard University, Jared Ball of Morgan State University, Danielle Dickens of Spelman College, Pamela Kennebrew of Lincoln University, Jonathan Lightfoot of Hofstra University, Samuel Livingston of Morehouse University, Tabitha Morton of Prairie View A&M University, and Vitalis Temu of Virginia State University. 

Speakers discussed the history of Black people in unions; the effects of the Trump administration’s DEI-related funding cuts at HBCUs on research, students, and Black women; and the unique challenges and opportunities of organizing at HBCUs, among other things. 
 

Ongoing and Recent Activities

The Fired Six at Virginia State

  • The AAUP sent a letter to Virginia State University inquiring into the termination of six faculty members in the College of Agriculture, who have requested the advice and assistance of the AAUP following the termination of their faculty appointments. The six professors reported that they were each informed, without prior warning, that their individual research program in the college was being “sunsetted” and that their faculty appointment was terminated, effective immediately. Letter Regarding Terminated VSU Faculty Members. March 2026. 
  • Sign this petition to Reinstate the Fired Six at VSU. Targeted to the board of trustees, President Makola M. Abdullah, and Governor Spanberger, it challenges serious violations of public sector workers’ due process rights, shared governance, attacks on academic freedom and academic integrity at a public HBCU.

Shared Governance and Academic Freedom

The AAUP examines issues of academic freedom, faculty autonomy, and shared governance at all types of institutions, including HBCUs. Some reports on HBCUs are: 

Solidarity and Advocacy

The AAUP expresses solidarity with HBCU faculty, staff, and students, calling for stronger organizing and political action for a more just higher education system.

The Loyalty Oath Compact Fight at HBCUs

In fall 2025, the Trump administration proposed a “Compact for Academic Excellence” that offered preferential treatment to those who agreed to pursue the administration’s ideological agenda. It tied federal funding to requirements that institutions make significant changes to admissions and hiring practices, commit to institutional neutrality, freeze tuition for five years, cap international enrollment, and suppress criticism of conservatives.

Most HBCUs argued against the plan and refused to comply. A few have accepted the ruling or have indicated interest in participating.

Historic Philanthropy: MacKenzie Scott's Transformational Giving

One of the most significant developments for HBCUs in 2025 was MacKenzie Scott’s extraordinary philanthropic commitment. In 2025 alone, Scott donated more than $700 million to HBCUs, bringing her total contributions since 2020 to approximately $1.2 billion. These gifts—typically unrestricted—have allowed institutions to address urgent needs such as faculty hiring, technology upgrades, scholarships, student services, and endowment growth.

Many recipient institutions described Scott’s gifts as the largest single donations in their histories. In 2025, more than $700 million was distributed to dozens of HBCUs, including:

  • $80 million to Howard University (Washington, DC)
  • $63 million to Morgan State University (Maryland)
  • $63 million to Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
  • $50 million to Bowie State University (Maryland)
  • $50 million to Norfolk State University (Virginia)
  • $42 million to Alcorn State University (Mississippi)
  • $38 million each to Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Alabama State University, and the University of Maryland–Eastern Shore
  • $25 million to Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
  • $70 million to the United Negro College Fund

These investments built on earlier waves of giving in 2020 and 2022, when more than $560 million was awarded to 23 HBCUs, including Tuskegee University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Morgan State University. Collectively, Scott’s early, significant, and unrestricted philanthropy has provided a transformative infusion of capital, strengthened institutional stability, and expanded academic opportunity across the HBCU sector. 

The donations to Howard University are a double-edged sword for both tenure-track and contingent faculty. While there are many areas in need of funds, these large donations have enabled the HU administration to violate some of the most basic principles of shared governance and academic freedom. For example, the HU administration under President Wayne Frederick hired expensive and well-known union-busting attorneys while delaying negotiations and an eventual agreement with the non-tenure-track union. Both tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty overwhelmingly supported the union and opposed delays in negotiations.

Faculty Leadership and Institutional Excellence at Spelman College

In March 2025, Spelman College faculty formally chartered an AAUP chapter, more than doubling their membership within the year. This milestone reflects the faculty’s growing commitment to shared governance, academic freedom, and professional equity.

Spelman’s faculty excellence continues to directly support the institution’s national standing as the #1 HBCU for 19 consecutive years, according to U.S. News & World Report. Distinguished research, award-winning teaching, and strong mentorship have created rigorous learning environments that prepare students for top graduate programs, careers, and leadership roles. This sustained faculty leadership has been central to Spelman’s reputation, student outcomes, and long-term impact.

In April 2025, Spelman achieved another major milestone when it was named an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Classifications. This designation recognizes institutions that excel at fostering student success and advancing equitable outcomes, further affirming Spelman’s academic and institutional strength.

Lincoln University: Contract Gains and Community Challenges

At Lincoln University, 2025 was marked by both progress and hardship. Faculty successfully negotiated a new contract that strengthened shared governance and secured improved benefits for members. The chapter also enrolled 59 new members, reflecting growing engagement and collective power.

At the same time, the campus community experienced tragedy when a school shooting occurred during homecoming, leading to the postponement of several activities. Despite these challenges, the university community demonstrated resilience and solidarity in prioritizing safety and mutual support.

Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University sent a representative to the 2025 AAUP national Summer Institute. TSU faces dire circumstances financially; however, their spirit is strong. Research and teaching activities are continuing and there is even support for growth in small areas. While these are very tough times, those that persist at TSU are committed to maintaining this public, land-grant HBCU as a beacon of opportunity for the low-income, first-generation, and other nontraditional students that comprise their diverse student body. 

In the past two years, TSU has been forced to terminate hundreds of employees, mostly staff, but some faculty have been let go or encouraged to retire as well. TSU has sunsetted several low-performing programs and moved others around within the colleges to help stabilize operations. Promotion and tenure has been paused at TSU. They have been assured that this is temporary and that there is a plan in place to stabilize, but need enrollment to stabilize. This is largely due to enrollment being down and the overall financial status of the university. TSU leadership says they are working to make sure they remain able to support the tenured faculty they currently have before they increase those ranks.   

TSU students continue to think the way they want to think, and they demonstrated this recently when TSU’s campus was visited by a small group of men from a group called Fearless Debates. These men came onto TSU’s campus and set up a table in the quad and posted signs reading “DEI should be illegal” and “Deport all Illegals Now.” TSU students engaged them fiercely and in a short amount of time had them reported to campus police and ejected from campus for not having a permit. 

A similar politically motivated group known as Blexit attempted to come onto TSU’s campus a few weeks later during homecoming, again without a permit or advance notice of any kind. This time it took less than three minutes for them to be ejected from campus and they did not even get to turn on their cameras. 

WPLN, Nashville’s local NPR station, recently aired The Debt as a two-part story focused on the long history of TSU’s struggles with underfunding by the state. Part one is available here, which tells the story of the Rita Geier lawsuit as a critical component of desegregation history in Tennessee. Part two’s call-in show is available here, and features former TSU President George Pruitt. 

Threats and Safety Challenges Facing HBCUs

In September 2025, multiple HBCUs across the country faced serious safety threats that disrupted campus life and underscored the ongoing vulnerabilities these institutions confront. Bomb threats and other violent threats were reported at several campuses, forcing evacuations, lockdowns, and the suspension of classes and campus activities.

While many of the threats were ultimately determined to be noncredible, their impact was nonetheless significant. Faculty, staff, and students experienced heightened fear, stress, and disruption, particularly given the historical targeting of HBCUs and the broader climate of racial hostility and political attacks on higher education.

These incidents highlighted the urgent need for stronger campus safety planning, clear communication protocols, and coordinated responses that prioritize community well-being while safeguarding academic continuity. They also reinforced the importance of solidarity across institutions, as HBCUs shared information, resources, and support in response to these threats.

Collective Action in Defense of Higher Education

On November 7, 2025, faculty and students from Morehouse College, Spelman College, Morris Brown College, and Clark Atlanta University came together for a powerful day of action. Marches at Morehouse and Clark Atlanta protested ongoing attacks on higher education and affirmed the essential role of academic freedom and shared governance.

The action drew national support, with participation from the National Education Association and faculty and students traveling from HBCUs across North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, and Mississippi. This collective mobilization highlighted the strength of cross-institutional solidarity and the central role HBCUs play in shaping the future of higher education.

AAUP Growth and Organizing at HBCUs

The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), defined by unprecedented philanthropic investment, strengthened faculty leadership, collective action in defense of higher education, and continued institutional resilience in the face of challenges. Together, these developments underscore the enduring impact and national significance of HBCUs.

In 2025, AAUP membership at HBCUs experienced notable growth. Membership increased by 199 new members, alongside a significant number of faculty who renewed memberships that had previously expired or been canceled. This year two new chapters were chartered with the minimum number of members and have doubled their membership since. The University of the Virgin Islands will be next to charter as an AAUP collective bargaining chapter. This growth reflects renewed engagement among HBCU faculty around shared governance, academic freedom, and collective advocacy.

This organizing work was led by AAUP national organizer Jerome Thompson in collaboration with the Committee on Historically Black Institutions and Scholars of Color. In February 2025, the committee developed and submitted a comprehensive organizing proposal to AAUP President Todd Wolfson. As promised, President Wolfson brought the proposal to the March 2025 AAUP Council meeting, where it was approved along with a $100,000 budget dedicated to HBCU organizing efforts.

The 2025 Summer Institute had a record number of HBCUs (20) and a record number of faculty from HBCUs (over 60). The HBCU round table discussion plenary, led by HBCU faculty members and organizer Jerome Thompson, was the biggest and most successful version of the program and an excellent opportunity to discuss and strategize the various issues and challenges HBCUs face. The Committee looks forward to continuing this tradition at the 2026 Biennial Meeting and future Summer Institutes. 

This investment has strengthened organizing capacity, expanded faculty engagement, and reinforced the AAUP’s long-term commitment to supporting HBCUs and scholars of color.

The events of 2025 demonstrate the enduring vitality of HBCUs. Historic philanthropic investments, strengthened faculty leadership, successful labor organizing, and collective advocacy have positioned these institutions to continue advancing academic excellence, equity, and opportunity. As HBCUs look ahead, the lessons of 2025 reaffirm their resilience and their indispensable role in American higher education.