http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060521/OPINION01/605210317/1008/OPINION

Universities: Mississippi must face reality

The $931 million request by the state College Board for funding the state's eight universities next year seems staggering at first blush.

Some state lawmakers are already saying: "Impossible!"

But let's look at the figures....

...Can Mississippi afford this budget request? Mississippi cannot afford not to face reality and pay the costs of higher education up front.

The state must stop shuffling the cost to price students out of an education, even as quality declines, facilities deteriorate, and the best faculty and staff take jobs elsewhere.