FAMU alum should flash more green than orange

This weekend tens of thousands of Rattler Alumni will once again grace the Hill to celebrate the proud tradition of homecoming. Many alumni will walk the campus in awe of the new renovations and additions. Earlier this week, I passed two alumni doing just that.

As they observed the new teaching gym, I couldn't help but overhear the woman ask her husband, "What took so long?" In a silent rebuttal I thought to myself, "It was you who took forever." 

In another instance while walking through Florida States' campus with friends, one of them noted how primitive FAMU looked in comparison. I explained to them how FSU relies on alumni contributions, not state money, to furnish their campus with modern facilities and amenities. I went on to explain to them that FAMU could improve its infrastructure if they made monetary donations once they graduated. My suggestion was met with cold reception.

Current and future alumni alike must realize that the future of FAMU lies quite literally in their wallets. As budget restraints grow tighter, and education becomes less of a priority for the state, it is imperative that public institutions are thrown financial lifelines by their alumni.

These contributions will not only ensure that these schools may keep their doors open, but to ensure those doors stay attached to their hinges.

The principal method of reaching out to alumni for most schools has been hosting some variant of homecoming festivities, since this is likely the only time alumni will return to their alma maters. These contributions are placed into a school's endowment, to be used at the discretion of the school or donating party. Most often these contributions act as scholarship monies, or used to match federal funds for building construction and expansion.

HBCUs' typically have lower endowments than their counterparts making it more difficult for them to maintain infrastructure, and compete with other schools to attract the nation's most brilliant minds.

In an article in "Diverse Issues in Higher Education", actor/ philanthropist Bill Cosby chastised HBCU administrators for not doing enough to attract alumni dollars. However the problem likely lies in the lack of knowledge among alumni while they're students, on the role they play in maintaining the school once they leave.

Most of the administrative problems and decaying infrastructure that plague most black colleges can be remedied with more alumni involvement. So as school spirit engulfs all those who visit the Hill, let's not be blinded by flashy rims and smoke spewing from the grills of street vendors.

But let's remember the real purpose of homecoming; to ensure that FAMU is able to keep her head above water, while producing the nations next generation of leaders.

Jason Lawrence is a junior political science student from Tallahassee. He can be reached at famuanopinions@gmail.com these contributions act as scholarship monies, or used to match federal funds for building construction and expansion.  

HBCUs' typically have lower endowments than their counterparts making it more difficult for them to maintain infrastructure, and compete with other schools to attract the nation's most brilliant minds. In an article in "Diverse Issues in Higher Educationî, actor/ philanthropist Bill Cosby chastised HBCU administrators for not doing enough to attract alumni dollars.

However the problem likely lies in the lack of knowledge among alumni while they're students, on the role they play in maintaining the school once they leave. Most of the administrative problems and decaying infrastructure that plague most black colleges can be remedied with more alumni involvement.               

So as school spirit engulfs all those who visit the Hill, let's not be blinded by flashy rims and smoke spewing from the grills of street vendors. But let's remember the real purpose of homecoming; to ensure that FAMU is able to keep her head above water, while producing the nations next generation of leaders.