4/16/2008 - Jackson, Miss.

During its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) voted to rebalance the appropriations allocated to the universities beginning with the FY 2009 allocation. The Board’s current funding formula, which accounts for institutional differences in mission, productivity, and size, was adopted in 2003 to allocate funds; however, declining or stagnant appropriations have prevented implementation of the formula. As a result of today’s action, funding will be rebalanced in such a manner that after six years, all institutions will be allocated funds based on the Board’s adopted formula.

In other news, the Board received an update on the Mississippi EdNet Institute from Trustee Ed Blakeslee and an update regarding the 2008 legislative session from Dr. Jim Borsig, assistant commissioner of governmental relations. Dr. Kirk Schulz, vice president for research and economic development at Mississippi State University, provided the Board with an overview of the types of research activities taking place on campus. He further explained how the ongoing research activities are impacting economic development and creating high technology jobs in the state. Dr. Martha Catlette, director of nursing education in the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs delivered the 2007 Nursing Annual Report.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Board President L. Stacy Davidson, Jr., recognized four outgoing Board members and thanked them for their combined 38 years of service. Trustees Thomas Colbert, Roy Estess, D. E. Magee, Jr., and Virginia Shanteau Newton will conclude their terms of service on May 8. Also, Dr. Davidson passed the presidential gavel to incoming Board President Amy Whitten.

The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held May 21 and 22, 2008, in the IHL Board Room, Universities Center, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS.

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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