Howard University has readmitted more than 200 of the over 500 first-year students who were initially unenrolled for the fall semester, according to interim university president Wayne A. I. Frederick.
Frederick stated in an interview with The Associated Press that many of the unenrolled students and their families may have misunderstood the financial obligations required before the start of instruction. The university had communicated financial requirements, including tuition balances after aid and scholarships, by mid-July, Frederick said. Other students were unenrolled due to incomplete immunization records.
"I don't think it's just a simple matter of right or wrong. I think Howard adhered to its policies or procedures," Frederick said, defending the university's handling of the situation.
The unenrollment, which affected students last week, led to significant concern on social media as many faced uncertainty about their educational path close to the start of the fall semester. Some students and parents reported difficulties reaching university officials by phone or email to resolve issues related to tuition and housing.
Frederick acknowledged that the university experienced an overwhelming volume of calls but maintained that emails were addressed. He said the school began meeting with students and parents last week, which facilitated the reinstatement process. The review for readmission included examining financial aid documents, he noted.
Howard University received approximately 37,000 applications for enrollment this fall. Following the unenrollment of 502 students, Frederick confirmed that about 2,200 incoming students remained enrolled.
One student, 17-year-old Keana Johnson, who resides in a youth shelter in New York City, traveled to Howard's campus and was informed her enrollment had been reinstated after speaking with a university official. "I feel great," Johnson told the AP. "I do feel there was a lesson to learn from this. I shed tears over this and I was really disheartened, at first, but I felt like I couldn’t give up. Until I really got the final say-so that I really couldn’t come, I couldn’t give up trying."