WASHINGTON — After 34 days of protest at the Blackburn University Center, Howard University students have reached an agreement with the school. This ends their weeks-long sit-in demonstration.
The university first tweeted the news just after 10 a.m. Monday morning, promising a longer message from Howard University President Wayne Frederick later in the day.
"Howard University is pleased to announce that we have come to an agreement with the students who occupied Blackburn," Frederick wrote in a statement released on Twitter and Youtube. "The health and well-being of our students is the most important part of my job as president. As I have said before, even one issue in one of our dormitories is too many, and we will continue to remain vigilant in our pledge to maintain safe and high-end housing."
Frederick's statement also referenced the 2020 campus master plan, promising to "grow and invest in our beloved Hilltop" and to share more details soon of his plans to bring the campus back together following this division.
WATCH: A video released in September showing conditions inside one Howard University dorm room went viral on Twitter.
Dozens of Howard University students occupied the Blackburn University Center for weeks, setting up and living out of tents to bring attention to several issues, including living conditions in their dorm rooms as they claim some were found to have mold. They also wanted student representation to be restored on the university board of trustees.
Students released three demands:
- In-person town hall with President Frederick and the administration scheduled before the end of October
- Reinstate all affiliate trustee positions (students, faculty, and alumni) on the board of trustees with voting power
- The president and chairman of the board propose a meeting with student leadership outlining their "housing plan" to protect the incoming classes of Howard's immediate future
Howard University President Wayne Frederick held an annual State of the University address a week after calling on students to end the protests. During his address, he answered questions from students and alumni about their ongoing concerns.
He maintained that dorms are not any worse now than they have been in the past and empathized with the students. But, protests continued.
Over the last few weeks, the student protesters have attracted the attention of various notable figures and alumni. Howard alum and actress Debbie Allen visited the students’ campsite. And Rev. Jesse Jackson stopped by to talk to the students, as well.
WUSA9 reached out to the organizers of the protests regarding the agreement that was reached with the university. No details have been released on that agreement but organizers say more information will be forthcoming.
See the full letter from Frederick below:
Howard University is pleased to announce that we have come to an agreement with the students who occupied Blackburn. This is a welcome step forward as we continue to bring together our Howard community.
About one month ago, student protesters initiated their occupation of Blackburn. Today, they have agreed to leave Blackburn, and I also expect non-student protesters to depart the surrounding area – and to end their occupation of the campus.
The health and well-being of our students is the most important part of my job as president. As I have said before, even one issue in one of our dormitories is too many, and we will continue to remain vigilant in our pledge to maintain safe and high-end housing.
We have so much more to accomplish together, and the future for all of Howard looks very bright. Our Howard Forward strategic plan, which was launched in 2019, will continue to guide our path and build upon our success as we transform the academy, research enterprise and financial strength of the University to be best in class.
Our 2020 campus master plan speaks to our strategy to grow and invest in our beloved Hilltop, which will continue to improve the campus experiences for our students, faculty and staff. This progress can only be achieved by coming together as one Howard. One Bison.
As we close in on the Thanksgiving holiday, I am encouraged and excited about the work we have accomplished – and the work we will continue to do – together to reinforce Howard University.
I look forward to sharing details soon on our ideas that will address concerns and build a culture where all are heard.
Excellence in Truth and Service,
Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA