David Wilson, president of Morgan State University, a historically black university in Baltimore, recommends that Ivy League schools set up exchange programs with HBCUs. Writing in the Washington Post, he says:

The Browns, Harvards and Yales of this country might find that those millions they’re setting aside to promote diversity can be used more effectively by supporting partnering experiences with institutions such as Morgan.

This is a good idea. In fact, fifty years ago, Wellesley College conducted a program that invited talented women from black colleges (back then I don’t think they were historically black; they were simply black) to spend a year at Wellesley. I don’t think there was reciprocation, but there could have been and should be today.

Perhaps the same thing should happen with faculty. Better information and better communication would result. Frankly, this is such an obviously good idea that I’m surprised no one has thought of it.

H-T to Martin Wooster.