Alumni voices encourage legislative support

The 1998 session of the Mississippi Legislature is moving toward a conclusion, and the work our representatives are doing in Jackson is vitally important to the future of our university. Several funding proposals currently being considered will help determine how effective Mississippi State will be during the months and years ahead in serving the needs of the people of Mississippi.

One critical item is approval of a base budget increase that would begin to recognize Mississippi State's role as a comprehensive research university. Our university competes for top students, for faculty, and for government and industry research support with similar institutions around the region and nation. Yet Mississippi State has not historically received state funding at a level comparable to that of peer institutions in the region. An idea proposed last year by the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning and endorsed by the Legislative Budget Committee would start the process of rectifying that inequity.

Bill Long

Pending legislation would increase Mississippi State's base budget by $2 million next year, and by an additional $2 million for each of the two years after that. The three years of increases would result in a permanent $6 million improvement in university operating budgets. The state's other two comprehensive universities, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi, also would benefit. Securing approval of the comprehensive universities budget increment is a top legislative priority of the university and our new president, Mack Portera.

In addition to the base budget adjustment, Mississippi State seeks support for a well-documented list of needs and opportunities, particularly in the areas of technology and research initiatives.

Another crucial need is to retain at least the current level of support for the university's Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. That division, which receives direct legislative appropriations separate from the rest of the university, is facing an across-the-board 1 percent reduction in operating budgets that would mean a loss of more than $500,000. And the division would not share in the benefits of the base budget increase mentioned earlier. Legislative leaders have shown a sincere interest in helping us avoid that blow, and university officials seem optimistic that we can find a solution.

Last year's Legislature committed to three successive years of 3 percent salary increases for university employees, and the coming fiscal year will bring the second of those raises. While we very much appreciate this support, additional funding is needed to help move Mississippi State faculty and staff nearer to the regional pay averages for comparable institutions.

A final high-priority need is a capital improvements bond issue that would allow for overdue repairs and renovations to classroom buildings and student housing. Mississippi State's goal is to receive a proportionate share of the bond bill for higher education and to have maximum flexibility in determining how those funds should be used on campus.

Mississippi State has made dramatic progress in recent years and is poised for an even brighter future and greater contributions to our state. And as the quality and reputation of the university grows, so does the value of our degrees.

For the good of our state, our university, and ourselves, it is important for Mississippi State alumni to express our support for the institution to our state senators and representatives. I hope you will join me in thanking them for past support and urging favorable consideration of this year's legislative needs.

Bill Long, President
Mississippi State University Alumni Association