The Reflector

Citing the need to effectively divide limited funds from Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, Gov. Haley Barbour proposed a 12 percent budget cut and recommended consolidating the state's eight publicly-funded universities into five universities during Monday's executive budget recommendation meeting for the 2011 fiscal year.

The plan, which suggests merging Mississippi University for Women with Mississippi State University and also Mississippi Valley State University and Alcorn State University with Jackson State University, would save the state about $35 million during the 2012 fiscal year, Barbour said.

"No campus would close, but administration would be unified and significant savings achieved," he said. "Merging the MUW with MSU is preferable to closing the school and moving select programs to Starkville."

MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine will need to save 15 percent of its budget for the coming year, Barbour said. He warned the college to expect further budget cuts and suggested the college consider raising its tuition to be like to programs in nearby states.

MSU President Mark Keenum said Barbour's merger proposal will be decided by IHL and the Legislature.

"In these difficult times, we understand there will be many recommendations for increased efficiencies and effective use of resources," he said. "We have been working hard to make adjustments at Mississippi State that will allow us to respond to the current serious economic conditions while meeting efficiency directives set forth by IHL."

The agriculture units at MSU and Alcorn State are currently supported through appropriations separate from the universities' main funding. Barbour said he recommended ceasing separate appropriations for the agricultural units and placing the funds into the two universities' appropriations.

"The administration consolidation will give the leadership of the two universities greater flexibility in spending authority and should result in better setting of priorities," Barbour said in his written proposal. "My budget reduces the FY 2011 agriculture unit appropriation by 15 percent, which the universities can make out of ag unit expenditures or other efficiencies in the greater university budget."

Additionally, Barbour said all universities should prepare to consolidate or eliminate weak programs and courses.

To watch a video in which Barbour explains his budget proposals, visit youtube.com/watch?v=mfovlYphCRI.

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