Written By Quintessa Williams
A new bill introduced in the Mississippi State Legislature may lead to the closure of three HBCUs: Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University, and Jackson State University by June 2028. According to Senate Bill 2726 proposal, the State Institutions of Higher Learning must select three out of eight public universities by June 2025, with closure mandated by 2028.
The bill was introduced by state Senator John Polk. According to Polk, the bill was introduced to address ‘decreased enrollment at the state public universities.’
The three HBCUs mentioned are a part of the Mississippi Institutes Of Higher Learning and could be impacted by the bill. The bill also directly states each state institution in the bill, including five other public institutions in the state.
- ”(8) If the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning chooses to close Mississippi Valley State University, the following sections shall stand repealed on June 30, 2028…”
- ”(9) If the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning chooses to close Alcorn State University, the following sections shall stand repealed on June 30, 2028…”
- ”(10) If the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning chooses to close Jackson State University, the following sections shall stand repealed on June 30, 2028…”
Jennifer Riley Collins, a HUD Regional Administrator and alumna of Alcorn State echoes the jeopardy such bills this places HBCUs in if passed. “The criteria stated within the bill places Alcorn and other HBCUs at high risk if the bill becomes law. This bill does not need to make it out of the current house,” Collins writes in a Linkedin post. — (*please note, this quote is the personal opinion of RA Riley Collins, and not the position of HUD.”)
“While some may site legislation that alumni do not speak for the university as that is reserved to Dr. Cook and Dr. Ward in their current positions, please know I am not suggesting that anyone do that. Instead am strongly recommending that alumni speak as alumni to rescue our alma mater from closure. It is our First Amendment right to use our collective and individual voices to speak up for the continued viability of the school we love. Please contact legislators and call for the bill to die.”
If the bill passes into law, the State Institutions Board of Trustees will have to consider several factors such as enrollment, economic impact, and any other roles the institution serves the state and its citizens to determine closures.
There also would be a required listening session on the campus of each institution before a decision is announced.
If passed, the act would take effect on July 1, 2024.
