Howard University deans, trustees warn that the university is in serious trouble

 It looks like things aren't going too well on the Hilltop.

A few weeks ago, a Howard board of trustees member sent a letter warning that the university, one of the nation's most prestigious historically black colleges, is in serious trouble due to financial and management problems and that "Howard will not be here in three years if we don’t make some crucial decisions now."

The Post reported that in response, Howard's president Sidney A. Rideau issued a statement saying in short, they are working to address problems. The president was unavailable for an interview because he was travelling.

Then earlier this week, senior deans alleged much the same thing, that "fiscal mismanagement is doing irreparable harm" and urging the firing of the chief financial officer and senior administrator Robert M. Tarola. The deans also said an October PricewaterhouseCoopers audit reported "grave concern about the quality of fiscal decision-making" at the university and that there were "certain deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting" and a problem with "internal control over compliance."

Rideau responded to the deans by saying "There is not any kind of mismanagement administratively or financially that is damaging the university. Unequivocally." The Post also reported that Tarola, an independent contractor, had earned almost $500,000 from the university for his services.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me if this many people are complaining about financial mismanagement, there's an issue somewhere.

Obviously I hope this can be resolved, as Howard is a very important part of our area, and has been since it was founded in 1867.

Photo by NCinDC