JACKSON — As the Friends of The W descended on Jackson Monday for Capitol Day, lawmakers were ready and waiting with good news.
“I have not personally talked to a single legislator who would tell me they were willing to support a merger,” said Linda Ross-Aldy, member of the Friends of The W and a past president of Mississippi”s First Alumnae Association.
The Friends of The W were in Jackson to present a united front opposing Gov. Haley Barbour”s suggestion Mississippi University for Women be merged with Mississippi State University to save money in administrative costs. They made their presence known with a pair of events. The first was an appearance at the Capitol, where close to 100 students and alums packed the gallery during a session of the House of Representatives. The second was a reception at the Capitol Inn, where senators and representatives mingled with the Friends of The W amongst a large buffet and an open bar.
The Friends of the W pulled out all the stops to catch legislators” attention. MUW alum and former Miss Mississippi Toni Seawright serenaded the House with a ballad. She planned to perform for the Senate, as well, but it had already dismissed for the day.
Legislators admitted the Friends of The W”s point was well taken, but most, especially in the House, had already decided a merger won”t happen.
“We were already in support of The W as far as it remaining as is, but I guess (the Friends of The W visit) is just icing on the cake,” said Rep. Esther Harrison, D-Columbus. “The case is made. We want to keep (MUW) like it is and that”s what we”re going to be pushing.”
“I was already supporting them. They didn”t have to say anything to me,” said Rep. Credell Calhoun, D-Jackson. “I don”t think it would work anyways. (The savings are) not enough to merge.”
Rep. Ray Rogers, R-Pearl, confirmed the attitude in the House.
“I never was encouraged or influenced by anyone”s motion to consolidate The W and State. I”d say that”s the predominant feeling (in the House), hearing from other members, is, it probably won”t even come to a vote,” said Rogers.
Rep. J. Shaun Walley, D-Leakesville, agreed with Rogers, predicting a bill proposing merger wouldn”t emerge from the Universities and Colleges Committee.
“I don”t think a merger is happening in the House. There will be bills introduced, but as far as making that committee, no,” said Walley.
Not every member of the House was as willing to write off the possibility of a merger. Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, says there is no consensus in the House on the issue of a merger.
“The governor put it on the table and that has created conversation, but there is no consensus,” said Moak.
He says the Friends” trip is timely precisely because the issue hasn”t been decided in the mind of legislators.
“We haven”t seen a group (from MUW) like this since the mid-”80s when the issue was before us back then. I think it”s always good to come out and show support for your cause. If not, you”re certain what the outcome will be.”
More questions lingered among senators.
Sen. Bennie Turner, D-West Point, said most legislators will vote on a merger based on the will of their constituencies.
“It depends on what those individuals express to their senators and representatives. (Legislators) will be watching closely the attitude expressed by senators and representatives from that area (Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties), but that won”t necessarily override what their constituents think,” said Turner.
Turner says his personal belief is the issue hasn”t been explored thoroughly enough to draw a conclusion on either side.
“I think we have to move cautiously and look at various options and ramifications. It”s too early to make a 100 percent commitment one way.”
Sen. Tommy Moffatt, R-Gautier, says all Mississippi universities deserve to remain individual for purposes of history and tradition, but he would like to see one administrative body over all eight state universities.
“I look at it like we should have only one university system in the state,” said Moffatt, whose wife, Bess, is an MUW alum. “Each school has its own differences but have just one administrative group. That way you combine that administrative cost but let them maintain their tradition.”
As for MUW, Moffatt says many in the Senate are up for merging it with MSU.
“What we”re seeing in the Senate, from the ones I”ve talked to, is a need to combine some of these. When it comes down to the budget end of it, you”ve probably got a lot of people who want to combine them.”
Although no legislators came out in blatant favor of a merger, Ross-Aldy says she won”t rest comfortably until the session is over and MUW remains independent.
“That is one of the reasons it”s important to have a presence here and keep your finger on the pulse and make sure things don”t change that you”re not aware of,” she said.
Ross-Aldy says the Friends of The W were also in Jackson to encourage legislators to give MUW its fair share of state funding. Some political analysts have said MUW”s budget could be cut by as much as 25 percent in fiscal year 2011.
During a brief press conference upon the Friends of The W”s arrival to the Capitol, Ross-Aldy and fellow Friend of The W member Betty Lou Jones reiterated an earlier fundraising goal of $2 million to prevent lost scholarships due to a cut in state funding.
The Friends of the W is an alliance of MUW students and alums including the disaffiliated Mississippi”s First Alumnae Association and MUW”s current Alumni Association.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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