The Classification Paradox: Historically Black Colleges' and Universities' Complex Relationship with Inequitable Experiences with the Carnegie Classification System

Authors

Felecia Commodore, Old Dominion University

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2024

Publication Title

Carnegie Classifications White Paper Series

Pages

1-5

Abstract

[Introduction] Higher education in the United States boasts of diverse institutional offerings to students. From community colleges to well-resourced liberal arts institutions, this diverse array of institutions and types has created a system commonly viewed as having a variety of access points for those seeking higher learning. Higher education stakeholders can argue that this diversity is a strong suit of American higher education, but an argument can also be made that this same institutional diversity laid the groundwork for systemic racism and inequities within the higher education system.

These inequities exist through various intersecting systems and practices, such as the Carnegie Classification system. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have and continue to experience the impact of the compounding systemic racism and inequities that occur when the higher education landscape and practices such as the Carnegie Classification system merge. The following discussion, based on interviews with leaders at HBCUs, will unpack how the Carnegie Classification system, despite its initial intent, has created inequitable experiences for HBCUs and produced a striving culture that causes tensions between HBCUs' mission-centered approaches and attaining resource-connected status. Through this discussion, various HBCU stakeholders will identify how the classification system can be changed to better the HBCU sector's experience.

Rights

© 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Included with the kind written permission of the publisher.

Comments

Link to the white paper series: https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/carnegie-classifications-white-paper-series/

Original Publication Citation

Commodore, F. (2024). The classification paradox: Historically Black Colleges' and Universities' complex relationship and inequitable experiences with the Carnegie Classification system. American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Classification-Paradox.pdf

Repository Citation

Commodore, Felecia, "The Classification Paradox: Historically Black Colleges' and Universities' Complex Relationship with Inequitable Experiences with the Carnegie Classification System" (2024). Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications. 143.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/efl_fac_pubs/143