Sojourner–Douglass College
Former names | Homestead-Montebello Center (of Antioch University) |
|---|---|
| Type | Private school |
| Active | 1972–June 30, 2015 |
| President | Charles Simmons, Ph.D. |
| Undergraduates | Yes |
| Postgraduates | Yes |
| Location |
Baltimore, Maryland, United States 39°17′38″N 76°36′00″W / 39.294°N 76.600°WCoordinates: 39°17′38″N 76°36′00″W / 39.294°N 76.600°W |
| Campus | Urban (with satellite campuses in multiple cities) |
| Affiliations | Antioch University (1972–1980) |
| Website | Archived Website |
Sojourner–Douglass College was an American private college organized around an Afrocentric focus of study, located in Baltimore, Maryland. The college was founded in 1972 and focused on educating mature students. The college's accreditation was revoked by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools effective June 30, 2015, and the college remains closed for instruction.[1]
History
Established in 1972 as the Homestead-Montebello Center of Antioch University,[2][3] the institution became an independent entity with a four-year program on July 1, 1980 and was named in honor of African-American abolitionists Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass.
Administration
Charles Simmons Ph.D., was the institution's first and only president. In 2013, he was recognized "for a lifetime of dedication to reducing inequalities" at the Second Annual Symposium on the Social Detereminants of Health.[4]
Academics
Sojourner–Douglass College's bachelor's degree programs were geared toward adult learners. S-DC also offered a master's degree in applied social science. It was accredited by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Loss of Accreditation and Closing
The college suffered from financial difficulties with its regional accreditation being threatened several times. In March 2014, Sojourner was placed on "show cause" status with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Until September 1, 2015 it had to convince its accreditor not to revoke its accreditation.[5]
On June 29, 2015, Sojourner–Douglass College filed for a 14-day temporary restraining order against Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which was denied on June 30, 2015. On July 1, 2015, Sojourner–Douglass College sued the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for violating the Civil Rights Act of 1866 by revoking their accreditation.[6] On August 24, 2015, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander ruled against restoring Sojourner-Douglass' accreditation, while the college's lawsuit against the Middle States Commission on Higher Education was allowed to move forward. In addition to denying the request for an injunction, Hollander dismissed two counts in the lawsuit, racial discrimination and breach of contract, without prejudice. She gave the college 17 days to revise the lawsuit.[7][8]
In May 2016 the College listed its main 185,703 square foot central campus as well as it's secondary 34,761 square foot administrative building for sale.[9]
The satellite campus in Nassau, Bahamas, closed on July 29, 2016.[10]
Campuses
Satellite campuses were located in other areas in Maryland (Annapolis, Cambridge, Salisbury, Owings Mills, and Lanham) as well as in Nassau, Bahamas.[11]
On September 23, 2016, the former main campus, in Baltimore, had a 2-alarm fire, with heavy smoke and modeate fire on the third floor. The fire took about 30-minutes to get under control. No injuries were reported, since the college lost its accreditation in 2015.[12]
See also
References
- ↑ Pamela Wood (August 28, 2015). "Sojourner-Douglass College loses bid to restore accreditation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ↑ Sojourner–Douglass College History, archived from the original on 2014-11-28, retrieved 2015-08-20
- ↑ President's Office – President's Biography, archived from the original on 2014-11-28, retrieved 2015-08-20
- ↑ "Social Determinants of Health Symposium". Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ↑ Carrie Wells (March 12, 2014). "Sojourner-Douglass College in danger of losing accreditation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Sojourner-Douglass sues Middle States Commission over loss of accreditation". The Baltimore Sun. July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- ↑ "Sojourner-Douglass College loses bid to restore accreditation". The Baltimore Sun. August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ↑ Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander (August 27, 2015). "Sojourner-Douglass College v. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Memorandum Opinion and Order" (PDF). Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ↑ Melody Simmons (May 13, 2016). "Sojourner-Douglass College seeks to shed its city campus". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ↑ Nico Scavella (August 5, 2016). "College Shuts Amid Legal Row". Tribune Limited. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
- ↑ Campus Locations, archived from the original on 2014-12-03, retrieved 2015-09-02
- ↑ Saliqa Kahn (September 23, 2016). "Crews battle 2-alarm fire at former Sojourner-Douglass College building". WBAL-TV. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
