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Mississippi’s 3 HBCUs and other public universities could close in the future due to newly proposed legislation from the State Senators.
Senate Bill 2726 in Mississippi was proposed by Senator John Polk (R-District-44), an appointed member of the Senate Committee of Universities and Colleges. On February 19, 2024, he proposed this bill that would mandate 3 colleges to close by June 30, 2028, and for the decision to be announced on June 30, 2025. Of the 8 state public universities, the 3 HBCUs are at great risk of permanent closure. The schools that could potentially close are Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Jackson State University.
It would require the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to decide which universities would be selected. The criteria all 8 schools would have to present to the Board Members is how their institution contributes to the state’s infrastructure, economy, and health/wellness services for the state’s citizens. The grave loss includes the confiscation of assets, property and funds that would be transferred to a “another state agency, political subdivision, or sold to a non-profit entity” (Mississippi Senate Bill 2726, 2024). In addition, research centers would be available for other universities in the area to occupy.
Alumni of Mississippi’s HBCUs have been active and vocal about fighting this proposed legislation. A petition of protest initiated by the alumni leadership collected more than 13,000 signatures (WJTV). Their efforts effectively got the attention of Senator Polk, who urged for the message to be shared about the bill dying so he could “sleep at night” (Mississippi Today).
Although Bill 2726 died in the committee on March 5, 2024, this was not the first or last proposed legislation that would impact the legacy of Mississippi’s HBCUs. Senate bill 2725 seeks to close universities based on criteria set by the “Mississippi University System Efficiency Task Force.” However, there is a greater issue of similar conversations in numerous states like Maryland and Missouri that have questioned state funding and DEI and ultimately put HBCUs in jeopardy.
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