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Mississippi Archive

Friday

26

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Mississippi Valley State Mourns Football Player Killed in Car Accident

Written by , Posted in Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University, Students

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Mississippi Valley State University today announced the death of junior Delta Devils football player Kevin Monzon, who died from injuries sustained in a one-car accident yesterday evening in Leflore County.

Monzon, 19, was the driver of the car. Several other athletes injured in the wreck included Marcus Thompson, who was air-lifted to University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.,  Rogers James and Joseph Hardnett, who were transported to the Greenwood-Leflore Hospital with minor injuries.

“We express our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to all of his family and friends. The Valley community will continue to pray for all of those involved in this untimely accident. Counselors will be available through the University’s Counseling Center for those members of the Valley family who need support during this very difficult time,” said Acting University President Alfred Rankins.

Thursday

25

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Friday

19

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Mississippi Funding Restructure is First Step Toward HBCU Equity

Written by , Posted in Editorial, Mississippi

The College Board of Mississippi recently approved a new funding structure for its state institutions, a formula that rewards positive student development and graduation, while beginning a remedy for historic disparities smaller campuses have faced for generations.

Mississippi’s public historically black colleges, Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State, will realize respectable gains in funding under the new formula. While it doesn’t erase years of underfunding and neglect that ravaged public perceptions of the state’s HBCUs while building negative stereotypes, it is a notable and welcomed start to a new era of fairness in the state and a model for higher ed funding nationwide. From the Associated Press:

“The formula would give money to cover overhead costs, with smaller schools getting larger shares. Then it would distribute most remaining money to schools based on courses completed by students, with graduate and technical courses worth more than basic undergraduate courses. Finally, some money would be given to universities that meet board goals, such as graduating students with low test scores, getting students out of remedial courses and into college-level work, or increasing outside research money.”

The system is not perfect. Campuses like Mississippi Valley State, which does not have a robust offering of graduate programs and struggles mightily in its graduation rates of underprepared students, won’t realize heightened funding. But unlike some systems, the university won’t receive a funding penalty either, and it will remain the university with the highest state aid per pupil at around $19,000 annually.

The state funds about 35 percent of public higher education annually, and under this new formula, it will reward efforts to recruit more out-of-state students, a goal Valley has aggressively pursued with clearance to grant out-of-state students in-state tuition rates. Alcorn and Jackson State, rapidly growing in their graduate and research offerings, will yield greater shares of the state’s higher ed allocation than in years past, effectively rewarding these schools for the success they create within underserved student populations.

The plan appears to be the safest in the state’s history, and one of the most fair in American higher ed where HBCUs are concerned. This plan doesn’t address generational disparities in underfunding, and advocacy should continue in the direction of the Mississippi schools gaining the lost funds and for in-state students benefiting thereby. Moreover, HBCU leadership in Tennessee, Maryland, Louisiana and Florida should monitor this formula and champion it as a best practice in their legislature.

Precedent in equity is the strongest case that can be made for public historically black institutions and their ability to thrive.

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, behind the leadership of Commissioner Hank Bounds, deserve credit for pushing through this funding formula that, just four years prior, was defeated in the legislature. The formula is a bold step to ensuring educational access for all Mississippians, and by its design, a blueprint by which all public HBCUs might be benefited in the future.

Tuesday

9

April 2013

1

COMMENTS

Events and Expansion Help HBCUs Stretch Borders, Grow Brand

Written by , Posted in Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Dillard University, Editorial, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Paul Quinn College, Texas

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Bethune-Cookman University will soon host its inaugural women’s football clinic, giving women who actively support the MEAC football champs a chance to see football through the lens of strategy and execution, and in the process, knocking down a lot of gender-based sports stereotypes on both sides.

This kind of outreach is part of a classic trend at HBCUs finding innovative ways to grow brand and buy-in among campus constituents. While some HBCU leaders desperately search for ways to grow awareness among neutral or non-supporters, other black colleges, like BCU, are working hard to make sure their home bases remain committed.

If black colleges are to thrive against the growing appeal of online and community colleges and ramped-up recruitment efforts from predominantly white colleges, events and satellite academic programming are going to be at the heart of the renaissance. HBCUs are in the business of providing to black communities opportunities and exposure they otherwise would not have, and some HBCUs are accelerating the reconsideration of cultural and learning outreach.

Paul Quinn College in Dallas has been on an outreach blitz over the last several months, introducing new campus service learning initiatives to blend with cultural and fundraising programs that build awareness. The Tigers hosted students from Abilene Christian College in a social demonstration against poverty and food deserts. The experiment pushed racial, economic and cultural notions to the side in an effort to show community solidarity and empathy for residents of South Dallas who live the experiment on a daily basis.

Thursday, the school will host some of Dallas’ most esteemed chefs in it’s ‘A Community Cooks’ fundraiser, an event bringing the city’s culinary talent to a big cookout on the college’s ‘WE Over ME Farm’ to raise money for development and fresh food options in the region.

Alcorn State University recently announced campus expansion into the Vicksburg Mall, an innovative outreach efforts to reach potential college students, continuing learners and potential corporate partners with one dynamic planting of the Braves’ flag. The move to bolster recruitment and develop opportunities accompanies the university’s upcoming national diversity conference, a first among HBCUs, to examine cultural and social strategies to build the HBCU brand among racial and ethnic communities.

Dillard University last week capped a massive week of festivals dedicated to health, music and culture. On a recent episode of Digest Radio, Dillard President Walter Kimbrough said that the festivals are part of the HBCU responsibility to bring affordable learning and social opportunities to communities which want them, but often can’t reach them.

Nearly every HBCU has outreach opportunities which build upon new and existing visions of a better campus and better communities, but these in particular get to the heart of what is needed in their surrounding cities and towns, and to the core of their institutional strengths. BCU is a football champion, why not build the Wildcat fanbase to higher levels of acumen and frenzy?

Paul Quinn is in the middle of a food desert. Why not leverage what it yields from its organic farm in support of what citizens need around them?

Alcorn is growing its academic footprint in a state that is big on colleges, but low on opportunities at the secondary level for many students to realize college as a real option. Why not go to the places where students and parents spend all of their time, and why not make more than just African-Americans feel welcome?

New Orleans is a hot bed for arts and athletics. Why wouldn’t Dillard provide opportunities for citizens to be exposed to different sports and cultures beyond events at the Superdome and the Essence Music Festival?

HBCUs make a difference in communities when they move beyond the walls of the campus. And it’s that difference which will help make black college culture more vibrant and more necessary for advancement in the years to come.

Thursday

4

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Jackson State AD Vivian Fuller Facing Four Lawsuits Tied to Alleged Sexual Harassment

Written by , Posted in Jackson State University, Mississippi, Sports

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The Associated Press yesterday reported a fourth lawsuit filed against Jackson State University and its athletic director, Dr. Vivian Fuller. The lawsuits each stem from allegations of sexual harassment from a former employee, and other employees who say they were terminated for supporting the plaintiff in an EEOC investigation of the incident.

The university has said in court documents that the EEOC investigated Ward’s allegations and found no evidence to support her claims.

(Plaintiff’s Attorney Rogen) Chhabra said it’s not unusual for the EEOC to decide not to join in a lawsuit. He said the EEOC’s findings don’t mean harassment didn’t take place.

Monday

25

March 2013

0

COMMENTS

Lillie Ayers, Plaintiff in Mississippi HBCU Equity Lawsuit, Dies at 85

Written by , Posted in Mississippi

Lillie Ayers, a central figure of the historic Ayers lawsuit and settlement that sought equitable funding for Mississippi’s public historically black colleges and universities, died today in Glen Allan from complications of bone cancer. She was 85 years old.

Ayers, wife of Jake Ayers, the father of an HBCU student who sued the state of Mississippi and alleged under-funding by the state for Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University, became the lead plaintiff in the case following the death of her husband in 1986.

“Mrs. Ayers was indeed a great individual who believed in fair funding for each of the eight public institutions in the state,” said Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown in a statement. “Alcorn recognizes and appreciates the sacrifices she and her husband made on behalf of the families of Mississippi. The Alcorn family proffers our sympathy, prayers, and most positive thoughts to her surviving family members and loved ones. May they be strengthened and comforted by the knowledge that her legacy will live on in our graduates, staff, and infrastructure.”

Monday

25

March 2013

0

COMMENTS

Nissan Donates Robots to Alcorn State Automation Technology Program

Written by , Posted in Academics, Alcorn State University, Alumni, Mississippi

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Alcorn State University student and Nissan employee Jason Derryberry recently brokered a partnership between the automotive giant and the Lorman, MS HBCU in benefit to the university’s automation technology program. The maintenance supervisor spurred the idea of donating machinery to the university, resulting in the recent gift of two robots to the ASU robotics lab.

The robots will be used in programming training and development scenarios for undergraduate students.

“These two robots will give our students firsthand experience with the kind of technology used in Canton and other modern manufacturing facilities,” says Dr. Kwabena Agyepong, chair of the Department of Advanced Technologies. “With this gift, Nissan is strengthening its partnership with Alcorn. The Department of Advanced Technologies thanks Nissan for supporting Alcorn’s mission of providing world-class curricula and training designed to prepare superior practitioners, managers and leaders in the field of Robotics and Automation Technology.”

Monday

25

March 2013

2

COMMENTS

Letter to the Editor – Mississippi Valley State Needs Shared Leadership from the HEART

Written by , Posted in Editorial, Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University

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Mississippi Valley State University, as similar to other state of Mississippi higher education institutions, needs to make changes to improve the university. A successful MVSU leader implementing change must be aware of its mission.  Shared leadership is a collaborative effort involving students, staff, faculty, administrators and the community.  Shared leadership is based on a commitment to the principle of inclusiveness among these groups.  Inclusiveness is a democratic and collaborative decision-making process characterized by mutual empowerment.  Shared leadership comprises structures, procedures, standards and time limits arranged to make decisions and policies in a systematic and effective manner.  All participants share in the consequences of those decisions and should embrace the ‘my alma mater atmosphere’ at MVSU. Shared leadership is neither created nor sustained to benefit any individual or particular group, but functions to achieve the mission and purposes of the university.

Educational institutions are places of enjoyment, comfort and challenge, and meaningful relationships will translate into organizations that achieve goals.  The communication in a shared governance model will develop feelings of value and excellence among students, faculty, and staff.  This is absent at MVSU!  A university with a dedicated staff geared to achieve these established recognized variables and objectives will advance.  Community-driven MVSU with a history of shared involvement depend on the President and others for leadership and a path of success for students.  Disconnecting the university from this relationship with the campus will decrease the value of the university with the surrounding support sources.  These support sources – community, faculty, students and administration are the foundation of the university and this foundation need to be recognized as the university redevelops.  Historically, MVSU was known for providing academic programs to enhance the Mississippi Delta.  In the current higher education competitive climate, colleges and universities continue to assess their academic programs to remain an attractive institution for the future students.

All internal and external stakeholders connected to the university must give their HEART to “The Valley”. “H” Being honorable is essential to MVSU survival.  An honorable leader sets moral principles, willingness to risk it all, and make a tough decision.  The faculty and staff at MVSU must do what’s right and equal-when difficult, do something symbolic when in leadership and when you stand for something, ignore those people who thrive off negativity.  If you participate in the negative behavior “Chair of the Street Committee,” you’re just to blame for MVSU downfall.

“E” The MVSU family must empower everyone around them.  Each person serving in a leadership position should have a set vision and transparently communicate that vision.  Visionary leaders should communicate in a transparent form that will allow people to put things in perspective for the greater good of MVSU.  Stated by a current alum and administrator, “A leader with no vision cannot move the ship”.

“A” Howard Thurman stated “You need a specific blend of people to build a successful team – Make sure you utilize people talents that best fit them, not for you.”  MVSU has talented people currently working on campus.  They also have talented alumni who are willing to help if they are not hindered to progressing MVSU.  If MVSU faculty and staff must rely on their strengths, the university will prosper.  As a university on a path of improvement, the current internal constituents should participate in a 360 degree review of themselves, which include an evaluation from their peers, family, supervisory and community stakeholders. This will help MVSU become authentic.

“R” Doing my tenure at MVSU as a student and administrator, I continue to hear the phrase “I love the Valley.”  If you love the Valley, you will have a true intimate relationship with the Valley and the Itta Bena/Mississippi Delta community.  A relationship with MVSU colleagues and the community will help people feel secure about the university.  MVSU faculty and staff must always remember they are a public figures and there to serve.  The best way to serve your delta constituents, you must have a relationship with your constituents.

“T” Power and a title can corrupt some people.  Regardless of your position on campus, you must be approachable. Being approachable also mean being touchable. Don’t let the leadership position go to your head.  At MVSU, leadership should come from the soul and understand how people view a leader when they see you.  MVSU is a family structure, human resource frame atmosphere.  It is necessary that leadership is touchable at all times.

Mississippi Valley State University owes nothing to anyone working on campus.  MVSU was established to provide a quality education to students. If each internal and external constituent at MVSU is there to serve and not be served, MVSU will progress at the highest level. Valley is in need of someone who cares and understands the culture. Yes, an alum/true leader is the best fit for MVSU. The next leader should:

1.      Preserve the historic buildings and culture of MVSU (President home and etc..).

2.      Create a direct linkage with the Itta Bena community and surrounding Mississippi Delta cities/towns.

3.      Understand the history of the university (i.e. College Heights).

4.      Eliminate excess employees who fail to be productive in their area.

5.      Enhance the total operation of the university and eliminate favors.

These are some of the initiatives that should take place. As I paraphrase a quote by John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what Valley can do for you, but what you can do for Valley”.

Johnny D. Jones is a 1996 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University.

Saturday

23

March 2013

1

COMMENTS

Study: Jackson State Domed Stadium Would Yield $65 Million Economic Impact in Year One

Written by , Posted in Finance, Jackson State University, Mississippi

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A new 50,000-seat domed stadium at Jackson State University would bring approximately $65 million in economic impact to the state in year one, a new study from the Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning suggests.  A $75 million proposal for public support of the stadium, which stalled in legislative committee last month, would add about 1,800 jobs and nearly $35 million in first year tax revenues alone, according to the report.

“This information reinforces the university’s position that the stadium is not only a Jackson State University project, but an economic development tool for Mississippi as a whole,” David Hoard, vice president of Institutional Advancement at JSU, said in a release. “The stadium will provide a venue on a level that currently doesn’t exist in this state.”

Costs for the new stadium are estimated at more than $200 million, with Jackson State hoping to secure more than $125 million from private sources for its construction.

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