Mississippi needs 鈥榗ritical investments in higher education,鈥 Keenum says
Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擲ecuring funding for 亚洲色吧视频鈥檚 faculty, capital projects and future growth remain President Mark E. Keenum鈥檚 main legislative priorities this year, the university鈥檚 19th leader said during Monday鈥檚 [Feb. 12] Spring General Faculty Meeting.
As inflation, growing operating costs and increasing employer contributions to the Public Employees鈥 Retirement System continue affecting all universities and community colleges across the Magnolia State, Keenum and other leaders of Mississippi鈥檚 institutions of higher learning will travel to the Legislature this week and advocate for 鈥渢he critical investments in higher education our state needs,鈥 he said.
鈥淢SU鈥攚e鈥檙e not an expense for the state. We鈥檙e one of the best investments the state of Mississippi has, and it鈥檚 because of our people. They are the ones who make this university great,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 be the major research university and powerful economic engine this state needs without our people. We can鈥檛 fulfill our essential roles if our people don鈥檛 have the support and resources they need. I am committed to securing the funding we need for our people.鈥
These investments are needed, Keenum said, as level funding from the state would require MSU to find almost $13 million in new funding to cover inflation鈥檚 impact on the general operating budget鈥攁n expected increase of 3% or $6 million鈥攁nd the extra $7 million needed for additional PERS contributions in the coming fiscal year. A 2% raise, he said, would require adding about $5.5 million to MSU鈥檚 budget.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful we鈥檝e been able to give modest raises in recent years, but it鈥檚 not nearly enough to get us to where we need to be,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淲e are working hard to tell our story and make sure our legislators understand how critical our needs are.鈥
MSU is also seeking additional funding for various capital improvements, including the College of Architecture, Art and Design鈥檚 facilities project and renovations to Bost Extension Center. Other upcoming projects the university will seek funding for include an expansion of the Wise Center for the College of Veterinary Medicine, addition of health-care training spaces at MSU-Meridian, support for the U.S. Grant Presidential Library and renovation of the MSU Deer Lab.
With a growing research portfolio and estimates projecting MSU could have its highest spring enrollment ever, Keenum said the university is experiencing positive momentum in all aspects of the land-grant institution鈥檚 mission.
鈥淚t鈥檚 clear that students want to be here, and that鈥檚 because of you鈥攐ur world-class faculty,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for everything you do for your students and for our university.鈥
Faculty also heard updates from Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan and Keith Coble, vice president of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, who shared their excitement for MSU鈥檚 ongoing academic and research successes and the impact the university is having on the Magnolia State.
鈥淥ur future here in Starkville, the Gulf Coast, Meridian and across the entire state could not be brighter,鈥 Shaw said.
亚洲色吧视频 is taking care of what matters. Learn more at聽.