Howard University agreement reached in protest over housing conditions

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Frank Tramble, a spokesman for the university, released a statement Monday morning confirming that the school has come to a resolution with the students. Tramble said the university would provide further comment later Monday.

Jasmine Joof, spokeswoman for the #BlackburnTakeover, said Monday that the agreement has effectively ended their protest.

“We have achieved increased scrutiny, transparency and accountability,” Joof told CNN.

Students have been sleeping in tents and air mattresses at the school’s Blackburn Center since Oct. 12 to protest what they say are poor dorm conditions. The students reported mold, flooding and roach and mice infestation in the buildings. They demanded that the university provide a comprehensive plan to fix the building issues and be more transparent.

The sit-ins garnered national attention with lead civil rights activists that include Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. William Barber II and Martin Luther King III publicly supporting the students. Jackson was on campus earlier this month attempting to mediate the situation with students and Howard administration.

Student activists and civil rights leaders say the controversy is indicative of a widespread issue with crumbling buildings on century-old HBCU campuses that are often underfunded compared to predominately White institutions.



Source : Nbcnewyork