Mississippi State and other universities need your support in seeking state assistance

Thirty years ago, the Southern Regional Education Board issued a report that said, in part, "Within reach of the people of the South lie opportunities that stir the imagination. . . . Economically, this region can be one of the most productive areas on Earth. . . . Intellectually, its colleges and universities can increasingly become preeminent centers of learning and leadership."

The linkage between these statements about the economic strength of the South and the intellectual strengths of its universities was reaffirmed recently by the results of a survey conducted by the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State. It is of interest that this telephone survey of 801 Mississippians concerning their views on higher education found:

   88.4 percent believe the money spent on Mississippi's higher education system is a solid investment;

   83 percent would recommend a Mississippi university to family and friends;

   93.3 percent say the state's higher education system is essential to economic prosperity;

   83.6 percent believe state universities produce graduates employers want to hire.

   The state's demand for services at Mississippi State and sister institutions is growing. Last fall's enrollment for all state universities increased by more than 1,500 students from the previous year, to 60,580. Mississippi State remains the largest of the eight state universities with a record 14,859 students attending.

Mississippi universities' top priorities for the legislative session currently under way are to improve salaries to retain and recruit top faculty and to provide students with quality programs and services. Mississippi State must compete for the best faculty and staff with major universities in a national market. Despite increases over the past 10 years, the average faculty salaries at Mississippi universities are still below the Southeastern regional averages for comparable institutions by about $2,200 per year. At Mississippi State, which is classified in the top tier of institutions by the Southern Regional Education Board, the salary gap is more than $4,600.

The good news is that the Joint Legislative Budget Committee has recommended an annual 3 percent salary increase for each of the next three years. If approved by the Legislature, that plan would support the universities' efforts to secure and retain talented teachers and researchers.

Growing enrollments and requirements for up-to-date equipment and properly maintained facilities also present continuing challenges for our universities. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee has recommended state funding of just under $227 million for general support of the universities in 1997-98. Although the universities had requested an increase of $58 million in general support, the $227 million is only about $1.1 million more than the current year's level. Appropriations for general support eventually approved during the current legislative session will be allocated by the Board of Trustees among the eight universities. According to the Board's distribution formula, Mississippi State would receive about 26 percent of the total available.

The Legislative Budget Committee also has recommended generally flat funding for independently budgeted units of Mississippi State, including the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Increases in the range of 10 to 11 percent had been requested.

Mississippi State and the other universities are committed to using the resources entrusted to them effectively and efficiently. With the support of alumni and community leaders, the preeminent centers of learning and leadership predicted 30 years ago by the Southern Regional Education Board are within our reach. I hope you will contact your state legislators in the coming weeks and urge their support of higher education for the benefit of all Mississippians.

    
Durr Boyles, '82
President
Mississippi State Alumni Association