IHL PRESS RELEASE
BOARD SUPPORTS WORK OPTION TO OFFSET PROPOSED TUITION INCREASE; APPROVES FACILITIES NEEDS

Media Contact: Annie Mitchell
Phone Number: (601) 432-6493

5/17/2007 ( )

Jackson, MS -During its regular monthly meeting, the Board of Trustees of
State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved for first reading
annual resident tuition increases ranging from $165 to $328 per year to
offset the financial demands facing Mississippi's eight public
universities, such as accreditation requirements, increased utility costs,
and repair and renovation of the state's largest inventory of buildings,
among others. All eight institutions will give interested students the
option to work off the increase through various jobs at the rate of
approximately $10/hour.

"The Board is sensitive to both the financial implications a tuition
increase has on our students and parents, and the incredible financial
demands placed on our universities," said Board President Dr. L. Stacy
Davidson, Jr. "Need-based financial aid and a work program to offset the
increase in tuition was supported by the Board."

The following annual resident tuition increases and fuel surcharges were
approved by the Board today for 30-day review per Board policy 702.04C:

Alcorn State University: $165 increase to $4,280 annually, including a $43
fuel surcharge

Delta State University: $238 increase to $4,206 annually, including a $42
fuel surcharge

Jackson State University: $251 increase to $4,433 annually, including a $44
fuel surcharge

Mississippi State University: $319 increase to $4,869 annually, including a
$49 fuel surcharge

Mississippi University for Women: $273 increase to $4,167 annually,
including a $42 fuel surcharge

Mississippi Valley State University: $168 increase to $4,373 annually,
including a $44 fuel surcharge

University of Mississippi: $328 increase to $4,885 annually, including a
$49 fuel surcharge

University of Southern Mississippi: $318 increase to $4,866 annually,
including a $49 fuel surcharge


The Board approved a System-wide 5 percent merit-based salary pool for
faculty and staff, as well as a legislatively-mandated $6,000 increase per
FTE for nursing faculty, to increase Mississippi's competitiveness both
nationwide and globally. In 2000, the average Mississippi university
faculty member earned $5,939 less than the average Southern university
faculty member. In 2006, the average Mississippi university faculty member
earned $9,893 less. In addition, the Board approved funds to launch the
National Center for Academic Transformation's course redesign program.

The Board also approved a priority list for facilities needs to be
submitted to the 2008 Legislature. Those needs include fire suppression
systems at Mississippi University for Women; wastewater/sewer treatment
facilities at the University of Mississippi; and ADA compliance at Jackson
State University; among others.

The Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 20,
2007.