Mississippi HBCU Merger Bill Dies

The proposal from Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and subsequent furor over the possible merger of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University met a silent death yesterday in the state legislation. The bill, which riled alumni from all three institutions and brought to light JSU president Ronald Mason Jr’s support of the idea, was not pushed to vote in the Mississippi House and Senate.

Senate Universities Committee Chairman Doug Davis, R-Hernando, said legislators weren’t convinced that combining universities is a good idea now.

“I still think that there is a belief that we can continue to serve eight universities, even though we’re in a tough economy,” Davis said Tuesday.

Now, the question becomes how will ASU, JSU and MVSU alumni and supporters stave off similar attack in the future? What will be the fundraising and engagement strategies that the institutions will use to raise awareness and funding?

And how long will it be until Mason is forced out of office?

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