Mississippi should consider merging some of its public universities to save money, its governor, Haley Barbour, says. "Mergers of universities are preferable to closures, but continuing to fund eight self-standing universities is not a responsible use of taxpayers' money," the governor, a Republican, wrote in a letter to legislators that accompanied his budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins next July.
Mr. Barbour's proposal, according to the Associated Press, would merge the administrative staffs of the Mississippi University for Women (known as "the W") and Mississippi State University. It would also combine three of the state's historically black institutions: Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State Universities would become part of Jackson State University.
None of the campuses would close, but the plan was controversial even before it was announced. Some alumni of the Mississippi University for Women held a two-hour strategy session on Sunday to develop plans for preserving the university's independence, The Clarion-Ledger, a newspaper in Jackson, Miss., reported.
The governor's plan is not binding on the Legislature, whose leaders are scheduled to release their own budget proposal next month.
Comments
1. tridaddy - November 17, 2009 at 09:17 am
Sure wish we could have a "do over" when it comes to establishing colleges and universities. Mergers won't resolve issues completely and the long term nature of completing a merger will probably not offer huge financial savings all at once. I attended a great, small public university in Mississippi and the edcuation I received prepared me for my future studies, but I am sensible enought to know that if merging my alma mater means better funding for fewer universities (rather than scraping by), I'm for merging.
2. 22250655 - November 17, 2009 at 10:24 am
I'm pretty appalled that there is nothing in this article on the racially slanted aspects of this proposal. Regardless of what the governor says or how the issue is couched, the state's unwillingness to support the HCBU's even when mandated by a court agreement makes this a dubious proposal. A lot may be lost by this merger and not a lot of money saved.
Phred
3. jffoster - November 17, 2009 at 10:31 am
With respect to No 2's comment above, it might be well to consider whether maintenance of "HCBU', may be another way of saying 'Blacks to the back of the bus".
4. jbricejr - November 17, 2009 at 01:58 pm
On its face, the proposal is racist and ridiculous. Why are the HBCU's being dogpiled together instead of being assumed by, or assuming, other colleges in their near vicinities? There is no acceptable rationale for their separation since public universities are not owned by one race or another. If the plan was to be implemented on a color-blind basis as it should, it might increase the viability and competetiveness of all those affected. I am a PhD graduate of MS State Univ. and performed all of my BS and MBA work at private HBCU's (though not in the State of MS). I do not believe that public universities should be managed in this manner. At least at private schools, we pay the price for independence. Tax dollars should be funneled where they do the most good regardless of redneck politics. BTW, I was the first Black PhD graduate in my department at MS State and it was a living hell the entire time I was there. As far as I am concerned, the entire State of Mississippi can go to hell...