"The math is very clear; the market is trying to kill both of these schools. Grambling is out in the middle of nowhere and suffers from chronic mismanagement," said Kevin Boyd, Louisiana-based national and state political commentator.
Kevin Boyd published that statement on THE HAYRIDE, a conservative political commentary site, regarding a bill to bailout Grambling and SUNO.
State Rep. Patrick Jefferson (D-Homer) filed the bill to give both schools a special exemption for out of state students on tuition. The bill also included Southern and other historically black universities.
This particular bill, HB 129, was pre-filed in an attempt to aid schools such as Grambling make the non-resident tuition the same as tuition for Louisiana residents.
His article stirred up quite the controversy. Alumni, faculty and supporters filled his comment section expressing just how far from facts Boyd’s comments were. For many, the statistics he used to make his point valid were missing some key points.
Walter M. Kimbrough, President at Dillard University, said, “I always like to say numbers never lie, but they need an interpreter because most people don't speak numbers.”
“You conveniently left out both the context for the numbers and ALL of the numbers.”
Kimbrough discussed Grambling’s true decline in 2012 when the Department of Education changed the Parent PLUS rules. Said rules “disproportionately impacted Black students.” Prior to that change, there was actually growth.
“Your use of numbers is really irresponsible and I don't think you are a bad guy. You just don't speak numbers. I do,” said Kimbrough.
Grambling’s very own Will Sutton also chimed into the biased article stating, “Some people really don't understand the value of HBCUs and they'll make any argument to close and kill them.”
Sutton went on to say, “This author says Louisiana should close Grambling State University and Southern University in a state with only four public HBCUs, one standalone institution, Grambling State University, and a system that has Southern University campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport.”
Trey Hayes, Grambling Alumni, also spoke on the topic.
“The UL System hired a search firm to help select Grambling's next president, 37 people applied, 4 of them are sitting college presidents.”
Kevin Boyd’s article, along with supporters who also commented, reminds the Grambling community of the amount of people who are against letting Grambling’s legacy continue.