# Predominently Black Lincoln College in Illinois Closes Down Because of Covid and Ransomware Attack **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194 "2022-05-09T19:35:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/1 "2022-05-09T19:35:16Z")
> **['A tragedy': Closure of 150-year-old college underscores toll of ransomware...](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/ransomware-attack-covid-combine-shutter-illinois-college-rcna24905)** > > Lincoln College, which broke ground in 1865, is one of only a handful of rural American colleges that qualify as predominantly Black institutions by the Department of Education. Didn’t Baker attend this college? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/2 "2022-05-09T19:45:37Z")
Did they pay the ransom? That would make it even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/3 "2022-05-09T20:44:02Z")
Weird. I had a friend who went there back in the seventies. I was unaware that it was historically Black. I didn’t see anything about that in a quick skim of the college’s Wikipedia page. Are we sure they didn’t mix it up with Lincoln University in Pennsylvania? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/4 "2022-05-09T21:09:05Z")
> The enrolled student population at Lincoln College is 41.8% White, 41.3% Black or African American, 6.44% Hispanic or Latino, 3.92% Two or More Races, 0.704% Asian, 0.402% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.201% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all [Baccalaureate/Associates Colleges](https://datausa.io/profile/university/BAA) is 44.2% White, 26% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.5% Black or African American. > **[Lincoln College | Data USA](https://datausa.io/profile/university/lincoln-college)** > > Lincoln College is a higher education institution located in Logan County, IL. In 2021, the most popular Associates Degree concentrations at Lincoln College were General Studies (56 degrees awarded) and Pre-Nursing Studies (9 degrees). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/5 "2022-05-09T21:13:14Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > I was unaware that it was historically Black. Based on @PastTense’s link, it looks like it has a large number of Black students, though it’s not one of the [Historically Black Colleges and Universities](http://www.thehundred-seven.org/hbculist.html) (HBCUs). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/6 "2022-05-09T21:44:03Z")
This is where I have been working for the last seven years. So as of now, I am out of a job, have been saying goodbye to co-workers, and am mourning the loss of an institution that I was proud to be a part of. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Based on @PastTense’s link, it looks like it has a large number of Black students, though it’s not one of the [Historically Black Colleges and Universities](http://www.thehundred-seven.org/hbculist.html) (HBCUs). Right: not “historically Black.” The student body in recent years has been about half Black and half white (with lesser numbers of Other). ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/7 "2022-05-09T21:46:16Z")
The article linked to in the OP possibly overemphasizes the role of the cyberattack. Here’s an article from a few weeks ago that, I think, better explains what the college was facing: > **[Wanted: Donor with $50 million to help halt closing of Lincoln College in...](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-lincoln-college-closing-20220413-hqdhyocd4ngy5fooled7hzczlq-story.html)** > > The school, founded in 1865, has seen its finances devastated by the pandemic and a ransomware attack. If a hefty donation doesn’t come soon, its fate will be sealed. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/8 "2022-05-09T21:47:43Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > This is where I have been working for the last seven years. So as of now, I am out of a job, have been saying goodbye to co-workers, and am mourning the loss of an institution that I was proud to be a part of. Well, that sucks. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/9 "2022-05-09T22:00:23Z")
I live in the region. There’s been chatter about the college being on the brink for quite some time. Do you have a link that isn’t paywalled? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/10 "2022-05-09T22:19:25Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > There’s been chatter about the college being on the brink for quite some time. These are tough times for all small, non-elite colleges, at least in this part of the country. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Do you have a link that isn’t paywalled? Hm, the link I posted from the Chicago Tribune wasn’t paywalled for me. I’m not a subscriber, but I did have Adblock turned off for that site (though it looks like they’d let me "continue without disabling). ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/11 "2022-05-09T22:21:22Z")
Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa almost closed a few years ago. Very aggressive fundraising saved it, at least for now. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/12 "2022-05-09T23:03:01Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > So as of now, I am out of a job I am sorry to read this. I hope you are able to pick up something quickly. Terrible for the employees and students. But I like that ransom asshats lose, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/13 "2022-05-09T23:15:11Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > > > There’s been chatter about the college being on the brink for quite some time. > > These are tough times for all small, non-elite colleges, at least in this part of the country. I don’t think it’s just a problem for schools in that part of the country. It costs a lot of money to operate even a small school (building maintenance, groundskeeping, heating, cooling, IT infrastructure, etc). And of course there’s all of the salaries. I read someplace that the number of colleges and universities in America is expected to contract quite a bit in the next couple of decades. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/14 "2022-05-09T23:20:36Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I read someplace that the number of colleges and universities in America is expected to contract quite a bit in the next couple of decades. That is a real shame. We need an educated population now more than ever. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/15 "2022-05-09T23:26:30Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > These are tough times for all small, non-elite colleges, at least in this part of the country. A major problem is that the students have the alternative of a public university where the tuition and fees are a lot cheaper (and government financial aid programs only make up part of the difference). ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/16 "2022-05-09T23:29:01Z")
Got it. Thanks to you and @Thudlow_Boink for the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/17 "2022-05-09T23:38:20Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > I read someplace that the number of colleges and universities in America is expected to contract quite a bit in the next couple of decades. > > That is a real shame. We need an educated population now more than ever. Oh, I expect people will still attend college, just at larger schools that have the economy of scale to operate more efficiently. It’s the small boutique schools that are going to disappear while the giant ones (particularly the flagship state universities) grow. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/18 "2022-05-09T23:45:18Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > just at larger schools that have the economy of scale to operate more efficiently. It’s doubtful larger schools have economy of scale: they are notorious for having massive, highly paid bureaucracies. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/19 "2022-05-09T23:51:37Z")
What I could do with Musk’s money! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194/20 "2022-05-09T23:58:58Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > This is where I have been working for the last seven years. So as of now, I am out of a job, have been saying goodbye to co-workers, and am mourning the loss of an institution that I was proud to be a part of. I’m so sorry to read this, Thudlow. I hope that you’re able to find another job quickly. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predominently-black-lincoln-college-in-illinois-closes-down-because-of-covid-and-ransomware-attack/964194.md?page=2)