The Fall of Morris Brown College -A Timeline
Issue date: 1/26/09 Section: Features
1999-2000
-Dolores Cross is appointed president of Morris Brown College.
-To deal with heavy financial debt and low enrollment, Cross hires Parvesh Singh as
financial aid director.
-Singh began "Blanket Enrollment" i.e. accepting federal funds for students who pre-registered,but did not complete enrollment.
-Funds were usedto off set operating expenses.
2001
-Despite "Blanket Enrollment," Morris Brown still had difficulty paying salaries and vendors.
-The U.S. Dep't of Education uncovers issues in Morris Brown's finances.
2002-2003
-SACS revokes Morris Brown's accreditation.
The College was disqualified from participation in federal financial aid
programs.
-President and Director fired.
2994-2006
-FBI begins investigation.
-University President and Financial Aid
Director indicted on 34 counts of embezzlement.
-Student enrollment drops by 96 percent.
-Most campus programs and staff cut including meal and housing service.
-Cross and Singh plead guilty to embezzlement
charges.
2007-2008
-Cross 70, received five years of probation and one year of home confinement.
-Singh, 64, given fi ve years probation and 18 months home confinement.
-Cross' age, health and the fact that funds were not used for personal gain was a factor in the sentence.
-Water turned off for failure to pay off $380 000 bill dating as far back as 2004.
-Avoided a foreclosure sale of one of its main buildings.
2009
-Court orders Morris Brown to pay $100 000 to have their water turned back on and pay the remainder by Feb 17.
-Morris Brown closed for spring 2009 semester. Still $1.5 million in debt.
-Dolores Cross is appointed president of Morris Brown College.
-To deal with heavy financial debt and low enrollment, Cross hires Parvesh Singh as
financial aid director.
-Singh began "Blanket Enrollment" i.e. accepting federal funds for students who pre-registered,but did not complete enrollment.
-Funds were usedto off set operating expenses.
2001
-Despite "Blanket Enrollment," Morris Brown still had difficulty paying salaries and vendors.
-The U.S. Dep't of Education uncovers issues in Morris Brown's finances.
2002-2003
-SACS revokes Morris Brown's accreditation.
The College was disqualified from participation in federal financial aid
programs.
-President and Director fired.
2994-2006
-FBI begins investigation.
-University President and Financial Aid
Director indicted on 34 counts of embezzlement.
-Student enrollment drops by 96 percent.
-Most campus programs and staff cut including meal and housing service.
-Cross and Singh plead guilty to embezzlement
charges.
2007-2008
-Cross 70, received five years of probation and one year of home confinement.
-Singh, 64, given fi ve years probation and 18 months home confinement.
-Cross' age, health and the fact that funds were not used for personal gain was a factor in the sentence.
-Water turned off for failure to pay off $380 000 bill dating as far back as 2004.
-Avoided a foreclosure sale of one of its main buildings.
2009
-Court orders Morris Brown to pay $100 000 to have their water turned back on and pay the remainder by Feb 17.
-Morris Brown closed for spring 2009 semester. Still $1.5 million in debt.
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