Mississippi Public Universities - IHL News - BOARD APPROVES CONCEPT FOR MED CENTER PROGRAM EXPANSION, FY 2009 FUNDING PRIORITIES, AND TUITION INCREASE TO OFFSET LACK OF STATE DOLLARS

BOARD APPROVES CONCEPT FOR MED CENTER PROGRAM EXPANSION, FY 2009 FUNDING PRIORITIES, AND TUITION INCREASE TO OFFSET LACK OF STATE DOLLARS

6/20/2007 - Jackson, Miss.

During its regular monthly meeting, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) heard a presentation from Dr. Dan Jones, vice chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, regarding the university’s plan to increase the size of its medical school class and the costs associated with that plan. The Board granted approval for the Medical Center to move forward with the concept, which is expected to offset the projected shortage of physicians in the state and improve Mississippi’s standing in certain national health markers.

The Board also approved funding priorities for the 2009 fiscal year. The priorities, which will be presented to the Legislature as the System’s funding request, are driven by the need to educate students, promote economic development and research, offer competitive faculty and staff salaries, offer vital services such as health care and agricultural assistance, repair and renovate aging buildings, and meet all legal requirements associated with the Ayers settlement. To fund the educational priority, the Board is requesting an additional $55.2 million over the amount received in FY 2008. "We have a responsibility to our faculty, staff, students, and citizens to provide a quality educational product as well as maintain access for our students," said Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith. In addition, after a first-reading in May, the Board approved annual resident tuition increases ranging from $165 to $328 per year.

The following annual resident tuition increases were approved by the Board today after a first reading at its May meeting:

Alcorn State University: $165 increase to $4,280 annually, plus a $43 fuel surcharge
Delta State University: $238 increase to $4,206 annually, plus a $42 fuel surcharge
Jackson State University: $251 increase to $4,433 annually, plus a $44 fuel surcharge
Mississippi State University: $319 increase to $4,929 annually, plus a $49 fuel surcharge
Mississippi University for Women: $273 increase to $4,167 annually, plus a $42 fuel surcharge
Mississippi Valley State University: $168 increase to $4,373 annually, plus a $44 fuel surcharge
University of Mississippi: $328 increase to $4,885 annually, plus a $49 fuel surcharge
University of Southern Mississippi: $318 increase to $4,866 annually, plus a $49 fuel surcharge

In response to the Board’s ongoing commitment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Board President Dr. L. Stacy Davidson, Jr., established a committee to oversee the progress being made to bring the additional campus of the University of Southern Mississippi to life on the Gulf Coast, led by Mr. Robert Bass, the Board’s Special Projects Director of Gulf Coast Operations. The committee, comprised of Trustees Amy Whitten of Oxford, chair; Ed Blakeslee of Gulfport; Roy Estess of Carriere; Bob Owens of Jackson; Robin Robinson of Laurel; and Virginia Shanteau-Newton of Gulfport; will give monthly progress reports to the full Board.

Among other matters, the Board also approved the transfer of 44 acres of land from the state of Mississippi through IHL to the Jackson New Development Authority. The land will be developed in the New Urbanist manner to provide housing and commercial space as part of a Jackson State University Foundation project to revitalize the neighborhood separating Jackson State University from the primary downtown business district.

The Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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