Enrollment at black colleges could hurt U.

Enrollment at historically black colleges hit an all-time high last fall, a development which could affect the University's ability to attract qualified black applicants. According to a study released by the United Negro College Fund Wednesday, more black students are enrolled in universities and colleges nationwide than ever before, with 1.2 million black students currently pursuing a college education. And enrollment at the 41 historically black institutions which belong to the UNCF peaked at 50,800 students, a 19 percent increase from 1986. "Only 41 black colleges conferred the lionshare of degrees to blacks in a number of critical fields," UNCF's Director of Communications Adrienne Rhodes said yesterday. Rhodes also said that the increased enrollment at black institutions will force non-black schools to work harder in their efforts to recruit black students. "This is going to challenge non-black institutions that desire a higher black enrollment to come up with better financial aid packages, more culturally diverse programs and curriculum and to expand marketing efforts geared at black students," Rhodes said. Historically black institutions include Howard University, Fisk University and Tuskegee University. University Admissions Dean Willis Stetson agreed that recruiting qualified black students to the University is a "significant challenge", saying that there has been a decreasing number of black matriculants in recent years. "Those [black students] who have been admitted have enrolled at a slightly lower rate in the past few years," Stetson said. "Our hope is to turn that around this year." Citing the increased enrollment in historically black institutions, Stetson said that the Admissions office will have to make an increased effort to attract qualified black candidates. "We just have to work harder to impress upon them the many options that Penn offers," Stetson said. "We don't want to negatively recruit against any institution, but to continue to broaden and deepen our efforts in recruitment." University Minority Recruitment Director Clarence Grant said the increase in black enrollment nationwide is promising because it shows that there are many black students who want a higher education. Grant also said that this poses the recruiting challenge of convincing these candidates to choose the University. "I think what's important for all students is to find the school that they will feel best in . . . for some students, a historically black college will be a nice match. I think the students just have to find the correct place for them, and it may or may not be Penn," Grant said. "Hopefully, they're going to make the right decision," Grant added. Grant also said the University has a great deal to offer minority students, making the University an attractive option for blacks and other minorities. African American Resource Center Director Allen Green said he feels that the increase is a "double-edged sword." "This might mean that the University will be competing even more for top African-American students," Green said. But Green also said that while the nationwide enrollment statistics are positive, it is important to consider retention rate as well. "It's misleading to look at just those who have enrolled if we don't look at the number that make it to graduation," Green said.