University Students, Officials Sound Off on Consolidation Proposals

Jackson State would absorb Mississippi Valley and Alcorn State Universities under the Governor's plan.

University students, alumni and officials in Mississippi affected by Governor Barbour's consolidation proposal are reacting sharply to potential school mergers. MPB's Carl Gibson reports.

If the Governor's proposal for fiscal year 2011 goes through unhinged, 8 public universities would be consolidated into five. Jackson State University would absorb Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State Universities, and the Mississippi University for Women would become part of Mississippi State University. College Board Commisioner Hank Bounds says it will be harder to avoid consolidation, as schools will have to be even more frugal in coming years.

"We are talking about enormous numbers. As a matter of fact, just to put this in perspective, in the 2012 school year, we anticipate the cuts will be so large that if you totally shut down the four smallest universities, you would still have to find 30 million dollars."

MUW alum Ricki Garrett says such a merger would hurt the state's economy more than it would help.

"I don't think the MUW alums would see it as their institution anymore, and so, consequently, you would lose all of that alumni funding."

JSU President Dr. Ronald Mason released a statement saying the Governor’s proposed budget cuts will change the face of higher education in Mississippi for decades. He adds Mississippi needs historically black colleges because they are dedicated to serving the needs of the State’s most underserved. Jackson State Senior Kenneth Bunch is concerned the consolidation proposal could impact athletics, like the upcoming Capitol City Classic.

"Alcorn and Jackson State are rivals, and we play a rivalry game, as a matter of fact, this week. You're talking about taking away this major rivalry which brings in money into the city of Jackson, which so many people come to every year."

The governor's proposals still needs legislative approval in January before any changes are made.