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USM Forum -- Message Board -> AAUP-USM MESSAGE BOARD -> IHL PR, 12/16/05: Partnership for Acad. Exc.
Post Info TOPIC: IHL PR, 12/16/05: Partnership for Acad. Exc.
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IHL PR, 12/16/05: Partnership for Acad. Exc.
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http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=366

BOARD CONFERS DEGREES, PROPOSES PARTNERSHIP FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

12/15/2005 (Jackson, Miss. ) -

In its regular monthly meeting, the Board of Trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved 158 degrees to be conferred by Jackson State University this month. The Board also approved an amendment to the Board Policies and Bylaws obligating each institution to submit a disaster preparedness plan to be kept on file at the Board office.

Additionally, the Board approved a proposal to the Mississippi Legislature to establish the Mississippi Partnership for Academic Excellence. The program will make state funds available to match contributions from private-sector donors for the creation of endowed professorships and faculty positions at all Mississippi universities. The funding mechanism can produce dramatic advances in the academic quality and productivity of Mississippi universities, accelerate state economic development, maximize the impact of state funds and generate a new wave of major contributions from private donors.

During the Commissioner’s report, Dr. Thomas Meredith advised the Board that the search for the next Mississippi State University president was under way after a tremendously successful day of meetings with different university constituencies on the Mississippi State campus. “We are on a good path,” said Commissioner Meredith.

Board President Virginia Shanteau Newton advised the Board that Trustee Roy Klumb from Gulfport respectfully submitted his resignation from the Board effective immediately. Citing personal and professional reasons, Mr. Klumb indicated he no longer has the time required of him for the appointed position. Trustee Robin Robinson from Laurel, Mississippi, will replace Mr. Klumb on the Mississippi State presidential search committee.

“Roy has often presented a different point of view, and his voice will be missed in our deliberations,” said Board President Newton. “He has served the state well for nearly a decade as a champion for a quality education at an affordable price. It is with deep regret that we accept his resignation.”

The next regular meeting of the College Board is set for January 19, 2006.

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

 

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nvkl

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Additionally, the Board approved a proposal to the Mississippi Legislature to establish the Mississippi Partnership for Academic Excellence. The program will make state funds available to match contributions from private-sector donors for the creation of endowed professorships and faculty positions at all Mississippi universities. The funding mechanism can produce dramatic advances in the academic quality and productivity of Mississippi universities, accelerate state economic development, maximize the impact of state funds and generate a new wave of major contributions from private donors.


Looks like a pretty slick way to funnel money to MU and MSU and make it "look" like it is for everyone.  About all this will accomplish is to make the gap between MU and MSU and the rest of the SEC widen at a somewhat slower rate.  At USM there may be some serious potential to create nice nests for relatives and cronies.  Of course that would never happen at any of the other schools.



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Aesop

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nvkl wrote:

 Looks like a pretty slick way to funnel money to MU and MSU and make it "look" like it is for everyone.  About all this will accomplish is to make the gap between MU and MSU and the rest of the SEC widen at a somewhat slower rate.  At USM there may be some serious potential to create nice nests for relatives and cronies.  Of course that would never happen at any of the other schools.

Higher education in Mississippi is like an arena where elephants and chickens have an equal right to dance.

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Ripper

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So the state, then, matching private donations to found professorships is a bad idea?  Kind of stuck on this one.

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Rich Dad

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Ripper wrote:

So the state, then, matching private donations to found professorships is a bad idea?
It's not a bad idea if you subscribe to the philosophy that the rich get richer and poor get poorer.

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astonished

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The vast majority of states do just this, matching donations.  Why do you guys think everything that happens is evil?  MS needs to ramp up its higher ed system, and this is one way to do so. 

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qwerty

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Does USM have a development office? I recall that that under Fleming the Commission on the Future of the University was a prelude to a capital campaign. I guess that got dropped because I never hear about it.

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nvkl

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Ripper wrote:

So the state, then, matching private donations to found professorships is a bad idea?  Kind of stuck on this one.

Not so much bad as a question of whether this is the best use of state funds.  Suppose UM, MSU, and USM raise $20m for chairs.  The state then kicks in $40.  Theoretically this will allow you to purchase higher quality people. However, this may not be the case.  The state money may allow for turning a salary supplement into a "fully funded" chair.  Now where goes the money that used to be in the line?  Another faculty position.  If so, great.  The dept. is now up in both numbers and presumbably quality.  The money would never go into furniture, junkets, etc.  This also presumes you didn't hire some over the hill warhouse of a chair.  Hiring the "right" chair is tricky business and many schools just starting along that path end up hiring someone's old dissertation chair.  Things can go wrong here.


Now suppose MS used the $20 to hire remedial math and english instructors for low ACT students to improve the retention rates in a meaningful way.


Which expenditure is better?  I honestly don't know.  With tight resources, such programs need some careful thought though.


I still think this is a keeping up with the Jones in the SEC program for MU and MSU and careful use of state funds isn't on the radar scope.



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