Renee Higginbotham-Brooks, vice chair of Howard's governing board, wrote a letter April 24, stating that the Washington, D.C. school "will not be here in three years if crucial decisions" are not taken immediately.

"I can no longer sit quietly, notwithstanding my personal preference to avoid confrontation, and therefore, I am compelled to step forward to announce that our beloved university is in genuine trouble and 'time is of the essence,'" Higginbotham-Brooks wrote, who is an attorney and Howard alum.

An excerpt of the letter that was leaked and published by The Chronicle of Higher Education:

"The combination of fewer students who can arrange financial aid, coupled with high school counselors who are steering students to less expensive state and junior colleges, has resulted in lower enrollment and this trend is expected to continue.

"Howard's Federal appropriation is expected to be decreased because of sequestration and the rationale for the University's existence is expected to be challenged since African American students can attend any college or university today."

In the letter, Higginbotham-Brooks recommended Howard to request the Washington city government to take over the financial operations of the university's hospital. The hospital, established in 1862, was integrated into Howard by Congress in 1962.

"The Hospital has become a serious drain on the budget of the University and we need to either sell it or get the D.C. government to properly reimburse us for the care provided to its citizens."

Higginbotham-Brooks stated the university features more number of employees that it can actually afford. It has roughly one employee for every two students - 6,900 full- and part-time employees (excluding students), for about 10,500 enrolled students.

"Spirited debate and discourse are part of the culture of higher education," Board chairman Addison Barry Rand said, denying any bad cloud looming over the university. "The board and the university's leadership team continue to work tirelessly to address many of the tough issues facing colleges and universities like Howard."

Howard's director of communications, Dr. Kerry-Ann Hamilton, has said Howard is academically, economically and operationally doing well. The university has maintained its budget for the next three consecutive years and its endowment is estimated to be more than $500 million.