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Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi sprung a surprise on all as he lay open recommendations in his budget that said that at least three Black Universities with a rich, historic background must be merged. One of the first to oppose this recommendation is Ronald Mason, the President of Jackson State University.

According to Barbour’s recommendation, two among eight universities in Mississippi namely the Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State must merge with the Jackson state. The proposal also stated that the Mississippi University for Women will now be a part of the Mississippi State University and went on to reassure that campuses will still continue to run as it is.

Though Gov. Barbour is sure this ingenious plan will benefit all universities. He stressed that particularly the Jackson State will benefit immensely from this proposal for consolidation. However, his arguments did not really convince Ronald Mason, the JSU President and he expressed his dissatisfaction and opposition to the proposal.

In a statement, Dr. Mason said that though the meaning behind the proposal to merge the three universities still remain obscure, it is very clear that Mississippi will take decades to recover from the budget cuts proposed by the Governor. He also said that the extent of budget cuts proposed will forever change the face of Mississippi higher education. Dr. Mason also stressed on that fact that the State of Mississippi has always been serving the needs of the under privileged and undeserved and needs these Black colleges.

Not only Ronald Mason, the Governor’s recommendations are also being criticised by a few prominent lawmakers. According to Chairman of the College Committee and House Universities Rep. Kelvin Buck, D-Holly Springs, merging of universities will be positively harmful. A vow was taken in fact by the Legislative Black Caucus not to allow any proposal of merger of the historically Black Universities.

Buck stressed on the fact that this  is certainly not the time to create undue panic as it will greatly damage the economic engine that has been sustaining effectively their efforts to enhance their ability to fight and survive the recession, even though there is no doubt, this is one of the most difficult times in history we are facing.

On a calmer note, Doug Davis, the Chairman of Senate Universities, R-Hernando said in a statement to The Clarion Ledger that he is deeply concerned about the Universities’ future and will listen to discussions on consolidation. He even went to the extent of saying that it is necessary to consider providing students with sustained quality of education at the universities which may be possible only through consolidation.

Apart from the Universities, the Governor has also put forth a proposal to reduce the number of K-12 schools in Mississippi from 152 to 100. He suggested that districts performing well will be kept intact while those that are low performing will be merged.

As we consider the situation in its totality, the current severe economic downturn may leave Legislature no choice but to seriously consider mergers as a long term solution.