ABSTRACT

Throughout American history the media and higher education have had a lukewarm relationship. In contrast, when one looks at the history of media coverage of black colleges and universities, it appears that postsecondary institutions have been the recipient of countless jabs and continuing skepticism since their beginnings. This chapter examines the media’s interpretation of the situation for black colleges overall based on their understanding of Morris Brown. Unlike most other black colleges, Morris was started by African Americans, a fact that gave the institution few resources but greater autonomy. “The historically Black college founded by former slaves is more than $23 million in debt and could be forced to close in a crisis that is being blamed on its past president and her ambitious efforts to enlarge Morris Brown and raise its profile”. One of the themes receiving the most attention from the media, and perhaps the most damaging to the future of black colleges, is that of their decline.