Sacramento City Unified School District high school students, especially students of color, were invited on Sept. 19 to Luther Burbank High School for the annual UCAN/HBCU (United College Action Network/Historical Black College or University) college fair.

Students met with representatives of colleges and universities like Alabama State University, Bennett College and many more.

Attendees learned about colleges they never knew about, or colleges they want to attend, and on-the-spot admission or scholarships were available.

Three of the nation’s most prestigious HBCUs – Howard University in Washington D.C., and Spelman College and Morehouse College in Atlanta GA – were not present at this year’s fair. Their absence disappointed attendees.

“I wanted to see Morehouse and Howard,” said C.K. McClatchy sophomore Lamar Holmes.

“I wanted there to be a Howard and Spelman presence,” said McClatchy senior Kimora Morley. On a bright note, Morley was offered admission to Delaware, Dillard and Grambling. 

Space was an issue at the fair, with students from more than a dozen schools crowded into the quaint Burbank gym.

“Next time, get a calculated number of students from all schools so that the gym isn’t a whole fire hazard,” Morley said.

Holding the event outside also could help address the space problem, said Holmes.

“If I could make the college fair better I’d probably make it outside” he said. “It was a nice day and the gym was kind of limited. They should’ve had it on the quad.”

Jamarr Johnson, McClatchy math teacher and BSU (Black Student Union) advisor, pointed to some logistical problems.

“The timing and rotation that they had was a little off’” he said. “They had a few buses picking (up students at) a lot of schools.” 

Morley said increased participation from admissions officers would help improve the event.

“I would bring more admission officers because networking is so important,” Mlorley said, “and more reps for specific colleges because the information was very limiting.”

Despite the absence of major institutions and other issues, Holmes, Morley and Johnson all said they would recommend students attend the fair.