Some college students reinstated after university unenrolled more than 500 freshmen just days before move-in

Howard University in Washington, D.C. partially reversed a decision to unenroll more than 500 incoming freshmen last week, according to its interim president.On Wednesday, Howard University announced that it had reinstated approximately 200 of the 502 students who were removed from the school’s enrollment roster. The university was criticized online after unenrolling students July 23, just weeks before the semester began and—in some cases—just days before some students were set to move onto campus, according to The Washington Post.Howard University Interim President Wayne A.I. Frederick told the paper that the university "didn't make a mistake" by removing the students from its roster.The university said the students who were unenrolled either failed to meet a payment deadline or failed to establish a plan for paying the university despite repeated communications.Many of the students insisted that they did report upcoming scholarships and payment plans to the school before the deadline, according to The Washington Post.Howard University in Washington, D.C., announced Wednesday that it will reinstate 200 of the 502 incoming freshmen students that it removed from its enrollment roster on July 23 (AFP/Getty)Several students told the paper that they felt the college’s instructions were confusing and that when they tried to contact the administration to clear things up, they were unable to reach anyone.Frederick told the paper that some of the reinstated students were only coming back because the university is "compassionate about the situation."He believes that students and their families misunderstood the payments required by the university—50 percent of the outstanding balances once aid was applied—and their deadlines. This year, the payment deadline for first-year students was July 10, which is earlier than the deadline for returning students. Many of the scholarships students received will not be disbursed until August or later, well past the freshman deadline.The Washington Post notes that some universities will over-enroll for the fall semester to offset the students who enroll but fail to matriculate.Students can also be unenrolled for failing to pay a housing deposit, failing to register for classes, failing to submit their health forms, and failing to pay at least 50 percent of their balances after their financial aid is applied.“Those deadlines have existed [in past years], we’d made an attempt, but we’ve been more lenient,” Frederick told the paper. “This year we want to make the process better. If we don’t know the makeup of the entire class until the first day of classes, then that’s not efficient. That does not bode for the best experience.”He said that the only reason Howard University was facing blowback for being strict and decisive regarding its enrollment is because of its identity as an iconic historically Black university.“If another school in the city said that things had to be paid at a certain point, I think people would do that,” he said. “Nobody would make a fuss about the fact that somebody was suggesting a bill be paid on time.”Laverne Mickens, a scholarship coach who assisted some of the affected students, told The Washington Post that she believes Howard University's purge was intended to correct for overenrollment.“I really think that Howard thought these kids weren’t coming. They weren’t serious. They were trying to frustrate them into not coming,” she said. “I know college is a business, but I have never heard of a college purging over 500 students at one time.”Howard University interim president Wayne A. I. Frederick told The Washington Post that the university ‘didn’t make a mistake’ when it unenrolled 502 incoming freshmen in July (AP)The Independent has requested comment from the university. Universities may over-enroll freshmen with the knowledge that a portion of those who enroll will never matriculate, which is commonly referred to as “summer melt.” Internal documents from Howard University were shared online and viewed by The Washington Post. The documents reportedly detailed the institution's "de-enrollment strategy."“The university goal is 2400 incoming [first time in college students],” the document said. “We are over by 300+ students.”After Howard University removed the students from its roster, other universities around the country offered spots to affected students. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said any New Yorkers who were affected could seek expedited late admissions at the City University of New York and the State University of New York.Maryland Governor Wes Moore also announced on Thursday that his administration will “provide expedited admission support to University System of Maryland schools, explore financial aid options, and provide an $800 credit for impacted students.”The University of the District of Columbia, the only public university in Washington, D.C., has also extended its fall admissions by a week to give the displaced Howard University students a chance to enroll.