HBCU: Shaw, Saint Augustine is pushing Raleigh city leaders for more money as universities face economic struggles

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The presidents of both Raleigh HBCUs met with the city’s Economic Development and Innovation Committee to discuss how their institutions can receive more city funding.

Dr. Paulette Dillard from Shaw University and Dr. Marcus Burgess of Saint Augustine’s University met at City Hall Tuesday afternoon to provide what they said was an overview of what the city has done over the past year to increase funding for schools.

“Relationships are important. You can’t just walk around idly asking for money,” said Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “That’s not how it works.”

Dillard fired back at some point. “I kiss babies and I shake hands and I have relationships of the highest order.”

The back-and-forth between the presidents and city leaders came as Dillard and Burgess appeared to be pushing for city leaders and the local business community to use their coffers to fund universities.

“We’re fighting for survival,” Burgess commented. “Let’s not kid ourselves.”

Just last week, a special accreditation committee met at Saint Augustine’s to review whether the school has improved its accreditation challenges.

Meanwhile, Dillard again brought up her university’s ambitious Shaw U District project to serve as an economic engine in the neighborhood.

Councilwoman Stormie Forte and other members of the committee agreed this would be a good starting point to help the university achieve its goals.

“Sometimes you think we always come with our hands out begging for money,” Dillard added. “Consider us as a partner in helping us make justice more equitable.”

Baldwin and the presidents agreed that the schools held valuable land that would be beneficial to all parties. In fact, Burgess said the school has 105 acres of land, but only 20 percent of it is in use.

“I think the land certainly has great value to you, to us,” Baldwin told Burgess. “That would be my first step. It’s about how we can leverage those assets.”

Tuesday’s meeting comes months after a member of Saint Augustine’s Board of Trustees released the details of an alleged meeting involving board member Burgess, some unnamed local business leaders and the CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Company. A remark was also reportedly made during the meeting that “Raleigh doesn’t need two HBCUs.” At the time of original reporting, a representative for Capitol Broadcasting Company did not respond to requests for comment.

“Both of our universities are strong in their own right. We have outstanding graduates. We have outstanding board members and outstanding faculty, staff and students. We will work together on the initiatives that make sense,” Burgess said when asked about Tuesday’s meeting. “But there is no merger of these institutions.”

The committee successfully moved to advance a land partnership agreement, find ways to increase federal funding, and work together to obtain grants. This request will be presented to the City Council for further vote.

“I am very happy with what happened today. Of course we are impatient. We would like it to happen much faster “There were some initiatives that were brought to council this meeting and that gives us hope,” Dillard said.