Proposal to merge HBCUs in Mississippi draws fire
By SHELIA BYRD
Issue date: 12/7/09 Section: News
JACKSON, Miss. - Gov. Haley Barbour's plan to merge Mississippi's three historically black universities has created a tense atmosphere in a state saddled with a violent civil rights past and a decades-long legal battle over the historic underfunding of those schools.
At Jackson State University, students have turned to Twitter and Facebook to gather signatures on a petition to block the move proposed by the Republican governor. A half-dozen students attended a state College Board meeting Thursday expecting some discussion about the proposal, but there was none.
"I personally believe they undermined the uniqueness of the black colleges and how far we've come with the little resources we have," said Marissa Simms, a 20-year-old JSU student.
Many of the nation's public historically black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs, were founded more than a century ago. Mississippi's own Alcorn State University in Lorman was the country's first land-grant black college.
The state's other historically black campus is Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena.
Nationwide, there are 42 public HBCUs and dozens more private institutions. White House officials and representatives of national organizations say the colleges play a vital role in an initiative by the Democratic Obama administration.
Under Barbour's plan, no campuses would close but Alcorn State and Valley would be merged into Jackson State. Each of the smaller schools is roughly 100 miles from Jackson. Barbour said the merger would save money by reducing administrative costs and eliminating academic duplication.
He also wants to consolidate Mississippi University for Women with nearby Mississippi State University.
The governor said the restructuring could save the state $35 million out of a nearly $5.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The black university presidents have made clear they want to remain independent.
"The governor's proposed budget cuts will change the face of higher education in Mississippi for decades," JSU President Ronald Mason said in a statement.
At Jackson State University, students have turned to Twitter and Facebook to gather signatures on a petition to block the move proposed by the Republican governor. A half-dozen students attended a state College Board meeting Thursday expecting some discussion about the proposal, but there was none.
"I personally believe they undermined the uniqueness of the black colleges and how far we've come with the little resources we have," said Marissa Simms, a 20-year-old JSU student.
Many of the nation's public historically black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs, were founded more than a century ago. Mississippi's own Alcorn State University in Lorman was the country's first land-grant black college.
The state's other historically black campus is Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena.
Nationwide, there are 42 public HBCUs and dozens more private institutions. White House officials and representatives of national organizations say the colleges play a vital role in an initiative by the Democratic Obama administration.
Under Barbour's plan, no campuses would close but Alcorn State and Valley would be merged into Jackson State. Each of the smaller schools is roughly 100 miles from Jackson. Barbour said the merger would save money by reducing administrative costs and eliminating academic duplication.
He also wants to consolidate Mississippi University for Women with nearby Mississippi State University.
The governor said the restructuring could save the state $35 million out of a nearly $5.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The black university presidents have made clear they want to remain independent.
"The governor's proposed budget cuts will change the face of higher education in Mississippi for decades," JSU President Ronald Mason said in a statement.
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P.
posted 1/04/10 @ 11:07 AM EST
They've been trying for years to attempt to close the HBCUs and now they think have a legitimate chance now because of the economy.
I honestly dont think he can do so without having the fight of the world on his hands and for an outgoing governor, I dont know if Barbour REALLY wants that. (Continued…)
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