When Howard University’s then-President Sidney Ribeau announced last fall that he would step down as unprecedented financial challenges mounted at the “mecca” of HBCUs, I was among those who gasped. The shock was well-placed given the critical role that historically black colleges and universities continue to play in the education of students, as well as the continuance of a legacy that includes black history and culture.

One year later, as Virginia State University undergoes this same struggle, I am far less surprised than I am inspired to take action. Your editorial, “Righting the VSU Ship,” Oct. 16-18 edition, correctly states, “We don’t want closure and cobwebs to be the fate of Virginia State University.”

As an alumnus of Howard University, a former assistant professor at the now defunct Saint Paul’s College and a board member at VSU, I concur that these tragedies must not continue to happen. Therefore, the only question now is what’s the plan to prevent VSU and other HBCUs from becoming extinct?

In the last few years, HBCUs have faced crippling funding and enrollment shortages that resulted in major management challenges. According to a study released by the Ford Foundation in 2012, at least nine HBCUs “have been warned, placed on probation, or had their accreditation at least temporarily suspended” during the last five years.

Given the severe repercussions of such actions, we must protect Virginia State University at all costs. The first steps must be for VSU’s executive leadership and board members to quickly accept the seriousness of this crisis, then address it head-on with concrete action. In that regard, I suggest the following 10-point plan:

• The VSU president and board of visitors first must consider the reasons that most HBCUs have had to rethink their strategies for financial survival. Those reasons largely are decreased enrollment due to wider choices, federal and state budgetary cuts and the economy driving students to less expensive community colleges.

• After this assessment, the university leadership then must engage and interact with students, faculty and alumni to hear and document concrete ideas to develop a strategic path forward.

• Be clear, open and honest with the general public, alumni and prospective donors that VSU leadership is not just reacting to but fixing the issues so that all involved are comfortable and assured enough to increase their contributions to the university.

• Study and adopt the best practices of HBCUs that are financially solvent and strong.

• Establish a national endowment that would benefit all HBCUs.

• The governor and legislature must recruit board members with expertise in educational funding and budgeting who will actively and aggressively campaign for money while establishing a sound fiscal management strategy and policies.

• Alumni must remain actively connected to the university, even through social media. This culture can be established as early as first semester freshman year by creatively enculturating the idea of giving back in the future.

• The board must resist total dependence on the state and federal governments for funding. This dependence often leads to false hopes. Targeted funding from the state that enhances the university’s brand should be explored.

• Accountability must be ensured. Financial shortfalls often give rise to accusations and suspicions of mismanagement that lead to lagging contributions.

• Present a strategic plan that shows how the university will stay ahead of the curve once it is financially solvent.

As we strategize for the survival of VSU and other HBCUs, we need to acknowledge the contributions that prestigious HBCU alumni have made to America. They include Oprah Winfrey of Tennessee State; Keshia Knight Pulliam of Spelman and the Rev. Jesse Jackson of North Carolina A&T, not to mention leaders such as Booker T. Washington of Hampton Institute (now University), W.E.B. Du Bois of Fisk University and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of Morehouse College.

Virginia State University needs only to tout its own alumni to illustrate the need for its continued support. They include 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Roger L. Gregory, Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance of Petersburg and the late Reginald Lewis, one of America’s richest businessmen.

Virginia State University has maintained a proud standing among America’s 105 HBCUs. It’s time now to close ranks, establish a plan and, indeed, begin “righting the VSU ship.”

TERONE B. GREEN

Henrico

The writer is a member of the board of visitors of Virginia State University.