What MVSU Should Really Do…

Warning: By the end of this post I fully expect to be called a racist and sexist, but it needs to be said.

The Clarion-Ledger has an article on plans to build a $1 million house for the new president of Mississippi Valley State University. Of course, this might not be such a big issue if we weren’t in the middle of a recession with nearly all other parts of the state cutting back on their budget.

The president, Donna Oliver, has been living in an upscale Greenwood hotel which costs about $2,500 a month. I will admit there is a lack of “upscale” options in the greater Itta Bena area, but I imagine you can find something to rent for under $2,500 a month or build something for under $1 million.

That rant aside, this is not the real beef I have with the state College Board and MVSU. Sure the state could save $1 million by not building this home, but they would save a lot of money in the long run with a planned consolidation of MVSU with Delta State. Located about an hour apart, the two Delta colleges would be better served with a larger student body in one main location.

I understand MVSU’s historical significance, but neither the current enrollment nor the alumni association activity is where a state university should be. Nor is historical significance the reason the state should keep funding the university.

Similarly, there is another school in the eastern part of the state that should also be consolidated. I, of course, am talking about Mississippi University for Women. I wrote about the school that is struggling with its identity crisis this past spring where I wondered if a name change would help- specifically the finalist for the name change (after all, do you think men are going to want to go a school named after a female?).

MUW is located about a half-hour from Mississippi State. I would propose keeping MUW operating as a branch, offering nursing programs (they can call it whatever they want).

MUW feels the name change will increase enrollment, but I have my doubts. The state is not big enough to support two four-year universities 20 miles apart. Like MVSU, I am understanding of MUW’s historical significance. MUW is actually much older than MVSU, but neither school has been able to expand their original demographic. MUW is about 90 percent female, while MVSU is about 95 percent black.

The education system needs revamping- with some serious consolidation needed at many levels. The state ought to lead the way with consolidating state universities.