Well not to mention the obvious difference of race within the student body, the next subsequent difference between a historically black college or university and a predominantly white institution is culture. This difference has fundamental subcategories.
1) Greek culture
This alone brings a different atmosphere to any campus. The National Pan-Hellenic Council and National Panhellenic Conference are recognized at both establishments. However, HBCUs have a certain soul and heartbeat attached to the historic NPHC roots. Roots that did not start in the PWI and roots that don’t always grow there.
2) Campus Life
Campus life at a PWI and HBCU are significantly different. For example events like Soul Food, Sunday and Battle of the Bands only happens at the HBCU campus. While a PWI might have events like Mud Games and lacrosse games that highlight the calendar.
3) Course Study
Areas of study like urban education or urban affairs exist solely at the HBCU. Similar courses at the PWI are considered elective courses.
4) Experience
What both a HBCU and a PWI offer is a comradery between the students and the college they spent four pivotal years cultivating themselves at. While I love my alma mater sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I attended a HBCU.
