Open Letter and Petition to Howard University Trustees to Save Howard University Divinity School

Stacey J. Mobley

Chairman of Howard University Board of Trustees

Board Member, Hewlett-Packard Company

 

Mark A.L. Mason

Vice Chair of Board of Trustees

Chief Financial Officer, Citigroup

 

Dr. Laurence C. Morse

Vice Chair of Board of Trustees

Co-founder of Fairview Capital

 

James J. Murren

Howard University Trustee

Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. 

 

As residents of the historic and unique neighborhood of Brookland in northeast Washington DC respectfully request a community meeting with the Howard University’s Board of Trustees to address issues regarding the historic mission and long-term preservation of Howard University Divinity School on HU East Campus at 1400 Sheppard Street, NE.

As residents, many of whom are distinguished alumni of Howard University, call for the board of Trustees to put an immediate halt to any proposed development that does not fully conform to the academic mission and charter of Howard University.

On June 6, 2016, Brookland residents and Ward 5 voted by more than 90% against any non-academic development of Howard East Campus at a meeting called by ANC 5B Chair Ursula Higgins and attended by Ward 5 Council Member Kenyan McDuffie.

Notwithstanding the emphatic opposition consecrated in a formal democratic vote, Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick continues to push through a development plan[1] that include for-profit uses and other non-academic purposes.

We all can agree that “We Can Do Better” in preserving Howard University’s School of Divinity located next to religiously significant Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land[2] in America and HU Divinity School’s national historic landmark, the art deco Benjamin Mays Hall.

The unity of Brookland residents and Howard University Board of Trustees can together find a solution that can preserve and save Howard University Divinity School and bring it new national, and even international, prestige.

 

Signed by Brookland residents and friends:

https://www.asiatimes.com/2017/01/opinion/howard-university-leading-way-islamic-finance-us/

[1] Plan pushed through by real estate lobbying group Urban Land Institute and by FLGA and Florida developers Zom.
[2] The monastery is physical copy of the Holyland and whose Custos Francesco Patton is responsible for the protection of all religious places of worship in Israel and Palestine.