http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=361

BOARD APPROVES NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS, CELEBRATES 160 YEARS OF SERVICE TO STATE



11/17/2005 (Jackson, MS ) -
In its regular monthly meeting, the Board of Trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved new degree programs at two of the state’s eight universities, including a Master of Arts in Rural Public Policy and Planning at Mississippi Valley State University, as well as a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Sports and High Performance Materials and a Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Management at the University of Southern Mississippi. The Board also voted to confer 3,379 degrees throughout the system this December. In 2005, the system awarded a total of 13,852 degrees, 130 more than were awarded in 2004. Additionally, the Board granted the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) permission to rename the university’s Honors College the Ina E. Gordy Honors College. Ms. Gordy, a member of MUW’s class of 1929, has made significant gifts to the university in support of merit-based scholarships.
 
During his remarks to the Board, Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas Meredith honored the group with a celebration recognizing that 2005 marks 160 years of Board service to the state of Mississippi. The Board of Trustees of the University of Mississippi held its initial meeting on January 15, 1845. “One hundred sixty years later, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning continues the legacy of leadership for all eight Mississippi universities,” said Commissioner Meredith. “I’m pleased to recognize 160 years of the Board’s service to the state, and I’d like to say, ‘Good job.’ "
 
The Commissioner also discussed the five key priority areas identified by the Board’s Strategic Planning Committee, led by Trustee Amy Whitten. Priorities include working with K-12 to increase the percentage of ninth graders who graduate from high school; marketing the importance of higher education to increase participation; working with community colleges to increase matriculation to four-year programs; increasing university retention and graduation rates; and increasing the quality of education at all levels.
 
“We must expect more of our Mississippi students, and we must expect more of ourselves,” said Commissioner Meredith. “We must be in the business of raising the aspirations of our young people.”
 
In other business, the Board approved an amendment to the minimum teacher education standards and approved a request for the escalation of the budget for the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program’s (MASEP) authorization levels, funded by MASEP student participant fees.
 
            The next regular meeting of the College Board is set for December 15, 2005.
 
 
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