Howard trustee: University in serious trouble

WASHINGTON – A Howard University trustee says the D.C. school may not be around in three years.

The Washington Post reports Renee Higginbotham-Brooks — the vice chairwoman of Howard’s board of trustees — says the school is in genuine trouble because of fiscal and management problems.

In an April 24 letter published online by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Higginbotham-Brooks wrote that competing with less-expensive public colleges for students is one of her concerns.

She also reportedly accused the university’s president, Sidney Ribeau, of “lackluster job performance.”

“Howard will not be here in three years if we don’t make some crucial decisions now,” the letter states, according to the Post.

The Post says Ribeau was not available for comment. Board chairman Addison Barry Rand said in a statement that the school’s leaders are working “tirelessly” to address issues facing schools like Howard.

Howard is one of the nation’s top historically black colleges.

WTOP’s Veronica Robinson contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

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