Universities Embark on a Mission of Efficiency

By this time next month, the presidents of Mississippi's eight public universities will have plans in place to deal with mounting state revenue shortfalls. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

At a full meeting of the College Board Thursday, Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds detailed the universities' current financial conditions and warned of budget cuts totaling 20% over the next two years .
He presented 12 strategies for efficiency.. from reducing energy consumption and the cost of textbooks, to consolidating operations.

Bounds: How do we ensure that when we go thru these tough economic times, that we don't wake up three or four years from now and find out that we have lots and lots of mediocre programs? That we are producing the types of graduates that this state needs to drive our economy and to really propel us into the future?

University Presidents have one month to develop a plan of action. Donna Oliver, President of MS Valley State, says her team is ready to work.

Oliver: We have put together a Renaissance-Efficiency Committee. And that committee will begin it's work next week. Looking at data to determine where we might consolidate programs or maybe even eliminate.. I'm almost sure we'll have to do some of that. but at the same time how can we expand in those areas where we are good and strong to make them stronger.

On the Southern Miss Campus, students are already getting into efficiency mode. J.R. Robinson is student body president.

Robinson: I've actually, along with our President, signed a sustainability act. Committing our students to go green, to recycle at all times and take on sustainability issues on our campus.

Bounds wants all the efficiency reports presented to the board by Oct. 15.

Bounds: I think it's time for us to be bold, and deal with the train that's coming down the track at us.

No time line has been set for academic proposals. Patty Davis MPB news.