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A bill proposed in Mississippi would close three of the state’s eight public universities, however lawmakers within the House and Senate mentioned Wednesday that it’s unlikely to pass.
Under the proposal from Republican Sen. John Polk of Hattiesburg, the board that governs the eight faculties would select three to close by June 30, 2028. The bill doesn’t specify which establishments would close however says the board would make the choice based mostly on enrollment, federal support, tuition charges, diploma applications and native financial affect.
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House Universities and Colleges Committee Chairman Donnie Scoggin, a Republican from Ellisville, mentioned he had not studied Polk’s bill, however a examine committee to consider these metrics could be a mandatory prerequisite.
“I am not for closing any of the colleges at this time without having a whole lot more knowledge,” Scoggin informed The Associated Press. “I would not support that without knowing a whole lot more.”
Citing declining enrollment at a number of establishments, Polk has mentioned the Legislature is appropriating an excessive amount of cash to maintain the colleges afloat. He declined to remark additional on Wednesday.
Polk’s proposal shouldn’t be the primary try to scale back the quantity of universities in Mississippi.
Mississippi Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, listens to a dialogue about schooling on the state Capitol, Feb. 8, 2024, in Jackson, Miss. Polk filed a bill to close three of Mississippis eight public universities by 2028, however different legislators say the bill is unlikely to develop into regulation. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
In 2009, then-Gov. Haley Barbour mentioned Mississippi couldn’t afford to maintain all eight. Barbour, a Republican, proposed decreasing the quantity to 5 by merging Mississippi University for Women into Mississippi State University and consolidating the three traditionally Black universities — Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State — into one faculty with Jackson State in cost. His proposal by no means gained traction as a result of of widespread opposition from legislators and alumni teams.
Democratic Sen. Hillman Frazier of Jackson mentioned Barbour’s failure confirmed there has by no means been a robust urge for food for closing establishments in Mississippi. He additionally mentioned the colleges may reverse their enrollment declines with extra state assist.
“If you give the institutions the tools they need to attract students, that will address that,” Frazier mentioned. “It sounds good politically, making an attempt to be a fiscal conservative, however we’d like to give our universities the instruments they want to achieve success.”
Mississippi University for Women has tried to recruit extra college students by switching to a reputation that doesn’t embrace the phrase “Women.” But the college mentioned final week that it was pausing that rebranding effort.
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Republican Sen. Nicole Boyd of Oxford, who chairs the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, mentioned she was nonetheless reviewing Polk’s laws with no rapid plan to carry it up for a vote.
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