Hampton University Offer of Free Room/Board/Tuition to Ukrainians Gets Cool Gen Z Reaction

Reaction to the March 16 announcement by Hampton University that the school is offering room/tuition/board to 50-100 Ukrainian students has been meant with public grumbling on social media — the reactions below were not rare.

Naomi @zoeynaomii

Hampton University’s priorities are out of order. Free room and board for students from Ukraine ??? We got a 200 dollar book stipend… no iPads. Mold and cold water in the dorms. God knows what’s in that cafe food.I pray some better leadership comes as Harvey makes his exit.

Nuri Amira J. @NuriAmiraJ

Tomorrow, every person who cares about the safety of black students at #hamptonuniversity need to call Dr. Harvey office and demand they rescind this offer immediately or the alumni will not give back or attend homecoming this year! #hampton #blacktwitter

nbc12.comHampton University offers free room, board, tuition to over 50 students in UkraineHampton University is offering free room, board and tuition to Ukrainian and international students studying in Ukraine who were displaced by the ongoing war.

J.Reed™ @TheRealJReed

Hampton University offers free room, board, tuition to over 50 students in Ukraine nbc12.com/2022/03/17/ham… #Students #HBCU #HU #panafrican #fba #blackeducation #RBG #HBCUmade

In November 2021, Hampton University announced that the school’s endowment was more than $400 million. Dr. William Harvey, 81, has been President of Hampton since 1978. On December 15, 2020, Harvey announced his plans to retire as President by June 2022.

Below is the press release from Hampton.

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Hampton University to Offer Free Room, Board and Tuition to Ukrainian and International Students Studying in Ukraine Displaced by Ongoing Conflict

HAMPTON, Va. (March 16, 2022) — In a humanitarian effort to help those college students and families affected by the current conflict in Ukraine, Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey has announced that it will invite 50-100 Ukrainian and international college students presently studying in Ukraine to continue their education on HU’s campus this summer. 

“The collective Hampton University faculty, staff and students are heart-broken because the war-torn country of Ukraine must deal with atrocities like the bombing of maternity wards, hospitals and other civilian areas,” said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. “I think this partnership is something that can be beneficial to a great number of students and families. My entire career has been focused on helping people to achieve and meet their goals.” 

Ukrainian and international college students affected by the combat will be able to attend classes at Hampton for the 2022 Summer Session, receive room, board and tuition for the summer, and have the option to stay at Hampton at the regular tuition and fees rates once the Summer Session is over. 

In 2019, Dr. Harvey reached out to Dr. Rodney Smith, the President of the University of the Bahamas, the former Vice President for Administrative Services at Hampton University, and offered a similar agreement to students from the University of the Bahamas who had their north campus obliterated because of Hurricane Dorian. 

For more information, please contact Margaret Dismond Martin, Executive Assistant to the President at 757-728-6164.