Neighborhood in the News: One more year for UDC’s longtime president; Whittle teachers await final paychecks

One more year for UDC’s longtime leader: Ronald Mason Jr., the University of the District of Columbia’s ninth and longest-serving president, will be stepping down when his contract with the university ends in next June. “It was not a decision I made lightly,” Mason told students, faculty and staff on July 21st. The 2022-2023 school year will be his eighth, and “it’s time to pass the baton,” he said.

UDC President Ronald Mason takes a knee at a June 19, 2020 vigil for George Floyd.

Mason looked back on his tenure and went over some next steps in an interview with The Washington Post. As he said in his July 21st statement: “We still have significant work to do, and I look forward to doing it together – as we always have.”

New scholarship gets some credit for UDC fall enrollment lift: Through August 19th, DC residents attending UDC, Trinity University and Catholic University of America and majoring in a “high demand field” can apply for scholarships through the DC Futures program. The program provides more than tuition assistance. Recipients receive coaching and stipends for school-related expenses, and can request as much as $2,000 to cover emergency expenses. The Washington Business Journal reports all three universities have seen an uptick in applications thanks to the scholarship. It also notes that the $12 million program, funded by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education with American Rescue Plan money, will run out of money after two years.

Whittle School founder’s plan to cover missing paychecks: Whittle School & Studios abruptly closed its DC campus on July 8th. Three weeks later, the Washington Business Journal reported that teachers and other staff were still missing some paychecks. The Journal also pointed out that the school’s website, dc.whittleschool.org, had not acknowledged the DC campus closure. That was still the case when we looked on Monday, August 8th.

A screenshot of Whittle School’s website on Monday, August 8.

The school’s now-former employees did not hear from founder Chris Whittle again until on Monday, August 1st. In a letter, the Journal reports, Whittle detailed his plans to raise the funds through the sale of school fixtures, equipment and intellectual property.

Capitol stones to be moved from Rock Creek Park: For decades, piles of stones from a 1950s-60s renovation of the U.S. Capitol have been a popular stop for hikers – especially those with kids. Then, a couple of years ago, the National Park Service fenced off the area. And now, Bloomberg Government reports the stones near the Rock Creek Horse Center are to be moved. Their new home will be Fort Meade, in an area belonging to the Architect of the Capitol. And it won’t be accessible to the public.