There are 172 members of the Mississippi Legislature, including 52 senators.
But it is the plans of a pair of South Mississippi senators that signal trouble on the horizon for Mississippi University for Women.
While a bill that would have changed the name of MUW was stalled in committee last week, two other pieces of legislation currently in Senate committees could represent an existential crisis for the university. Senate Bill 2726 would close three of the state’s eight public universities by 2028. Senate Bill 2715 would move Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science from its campus at MUW to Mississippi State. The later bill, authored by Dennis DeBar (R, Leakesville), would be akin to a family selling the furniture before moving to a new house.
While SB 2726, authored by John Polk (R, Hattiesburg) doesn’t specify which of the eight universities would close, it’s pretty clear that MUW would be among the most vulnerable. With the second lowest enrollment of 2,227 (just 31 students more than Mississippi Valley State) and its close proximity to Mississippi State (25 miles) makes it an obvious target for closure. Valley and Delta State are 45 miles apart, but then both of those schools are likely in the cross-hairs for closure, too.
MUW, MVSU and DSU (which had to cut 20 percent of its budget last year to balance its books) have a combined enrollment of 7,139, just 11 percent of the total enrollment of state-supported universities (64,900). They are the three most vulnerable schools. For Itta Bena (population 1,455) the loss of MVSU would virtually wipe the town off the map. Cleveland (population 9,900) would suffer a near-fatal blow with the loss of DSU. The loss of MUW wouldn’t cripple Columbus, but it would be a serious blow.
The idea of relocating MSMS to Starkville was first suggested publicly by MSMS director Donnie Cook in April. Cook was fired five months later, and the idea of moving MSMS seemed to be a dead issue.
Not anymore.
The timing of thse two bills is interesting. In March, MUW will seek IHL approval for major renovations at Jones Hall dormitory as well as a chiller plant renovation that will support the Jones and Kincannon dorms, as well as the MSMS dorms, Goen and Frazer.
The status of these two bills could scuttle those plans.
The university-closure bill was sent to the Senate Universities and College Committee, where Polk is a member. The MSMS bill is in the Senate Education Committee, which is chaired by DeBar with Polk as a committee member. So both are well-positioned to move forward to a vote by the full Senate.
The bills should be a strong warning for MUW, Columbus and Lowndes County. The loss of MUW would have a serious negative impact on the local economy.
MUW is a major employer in the city, so the city has a direct vested interest in preserving the university. The close partnership that has existed between Columbus and The W could not be replicated by a MSU satellite campus.
Meanwhile, the loss of MSMS would be not only a blow to MUW, but to the larger community. MSMS has always had an impact that stretches beyond its MUW campus. MUW’s small, manageable campus is a much more appropriate for high school juniors and seniors than MSU’s would be.
It’s possible that legislators are seeing a vulnerability at MUW in the wake of its bitterly divisive battle over the university’s name.
Whatever lingering effects from that dispute may remain, MUW, its students and its alumni better get over it quickly. City and county officials had better rally around MUW as well. That includes making sure the local legislative delegation is prepared to fight against both of these bills.
To make your voices heard on these bills, use the following contact information:
SB2715 – Moving MSMS to MSU
• Sen. Dennis DeBar (601) 359-3221; Chairman, Senate Education Committee
• Sen. David Blount (601) 359-2220; Vice-chairman, Senate Education Committee
SB2726 – Closing three state universities
• Sen. Nicole Boyd (601) 359-2886; Chairman, Senate Universities and Colleges Committee
• Sen. Scott DeLano (601) 359-4088; Vice-chairman, Senate Universities and Colleges Committee
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.