If an institution is a private one, then its passionate supporters can call that institution whatever they want. However, if an institution is one that is sponsored by the government and taxpayers, you can”t have a name that implies it is for a particular race, age, religion, gender or national origin. That is discrimination on the basis of race, age, religion, gender or national origin.
Having a government-sponsored university named “The Mississippi University for Women” makes the town of Columbus and the university look very ignorant, especially since it is a co-ed university and has been one since 1982. If the town of Columbus is going to have a university named “The Mississippi University for Women,” then why stop there? Let”s have a “Mississippi University for White People,” a “Mississippi University for Old People,” a “Mississippi University for Mexicans,” and a “Mississippi University for Catholics.” It sounds so silly for a university sponsored by taxpayers to have a name based on race, age, religion, gender or national origin.
Jeff Pitts
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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