PINE BLUFF, AR - The Arkansas House representative Camille Bennett has proposal a bill to transfer the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's a historically black college and university located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences to the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville (PWI) Division of Agriculture.
According to the bill, it's an act to amend the laws concerning Agricultural Programs at Colleges and Universities, and for other purposes. The bill also states by August 5, 2015, the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture shall develop and implement a diagnostic lab at the Lonoke extension service and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, College of Agriculture shall transfer all assets, equipment, grants and other funds to the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff once Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College has been built on agriculture since its inception in 1873. Since 1921, the "A" in AM&N has stood in the name and the recognition of the institution since the beginning of its operations.
UAPB is the only HBCU in Arkansas with a PhD program (Aquaculture and Fisheries) and the agriculture department is internationally know.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are State owned and supported have been hit hard last year and this present year including Elizabeth City State University and South Carolina State University.
Students, Alumni, Supporters and the HBCU community are taking to instagram to protest the vote of the bill. The Arkansas House plans to vote on the bill tomorrow. The University was not informed nor have UAPB officials released a statement.
To help us save this historical piece of one of our historically black colleges and universities, you can sign the petition started by the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign here or call Arkansas State Representative Camillie Bennett's office at (501) 682-7713.
Keep following the HBCU Campaign on this developing story.
-- Edited by HBCUCampaign on Saturday 21st of March 2015 04:23:10 PM