Free Speech
Howard Students Occupy Administration Building In Wake of Embezzlement Scandal
Students post list of demands that includes the resignation of the school’s president.
Howard University students piled into the school’s administration building yesterday and remained there as of this morning, demanding the resignation university President Wayne A.I. Frederick, after details of a financial aid scandal were exposed.
An anonymous Medium post, which has now been removed, was published yesterday, accusing Frederick of knowing about the embezzlement of nearly $1 million for almost a year. Six employees who were accused of “double dipping” financial aid funds were fired, but university officials made no announcement of the action.
I am feeling so much pride right now. To all those students at @HowardU #NANCollegiate stands with you. Our institutions teach us to stand up against injustice then get upset when we do.
— Mary-Pat C. Hector (@MaryPatHector) March 30, 2018
Students posted signs with a list of demands — including greater transparency and more student authority — outside the building and as of the morning, remained inside as the school announced classes were cancelled for the day.
The university posted a statement on their official news site early Friday, in which Frederick claimed that “I am listening to you, and I am challenging my team to make the changes you are expressing a dire need to see. In addition to that, I would like to further increase the engagement with a larger and broader portion of our student body.”
Howard Universtiy Sit In Night 1#HUStudentPower pic.twitter.com/r2LK1IVYH0
— Wallaby Wallace (@wallabyeee) March 30, 2018
They used social media to outline the reasons behind the protest and to call for solidarity. Rhianna was one of the many who responded, retweeting a video showing the students singing her song “Bitch Better Have My Money.”
— Rihanna (@rihanna) March 30, 2018
On Tuesday, an anonymous blog post claimed that Howard University employees had been stealing from the school's financial aid fund. On Wednesday, Howard confirmed 6 employees were fired for misappropriating funds, secretly keeping aid money for themselves.https://t.co/eFA4Xg0vuN
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) March 28, 2018
They are FED UP ✊🏾! Howard University students are demanding the resignation of President Wayne A.I Frederick. #HUResist https://t.co/7D1qem5zMo pic.twitter.com/B8XEUAswUi
— Blavity (@Blavity) March 28, 2018
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