With alumni divided over a name change and talk the school might be more useful as a satellite campus of another university, Mississippi University for Women faces many challenges, but local legislators agree it”s an institution with a potentially bright future.
“I hope it”s wonderful,” said Sen. Terry Brown, R-Columbus. “I hope we”ve got a rich future, and I think we can have (one). We”ve got to get this name-change situation settled right now, and I think we”re in progress of getting a resolution to it.
“We”ve got to get our student population up, but we”ve also got to be very careful about it, because we”re in dire straights, as far as budget,” he continued. “We”ve got to make some hard decisions, and we need to be in the fray and we need to help make those decisions.”
Name-change proposal
MUW officials proposed changing the name to Reneau University; the State Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning will be asked to approve the name, before the Legislature votes on a new name.
MUW President Dr. Claudia Limbert offered three reasons for the changing the name — growth, competition and relevance — when she publicly announced plans to recommend a name change for the school, in August 2008.
The school”s perception as a women-only college reduces the number of men and women who will consider enrolling there, she”d said, noting the school”s name puts it at a “competitive disadvantage.”
Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, earlier said he”s willing to introduce legislation to change the college”s name, but would prefer a geographical name. He agrees the name needs to be changed for the school”s survival.
For MUW to remain an independent institution and “not merge it with any other university, a name change is essential,” Smith said.
Economic impact
The college employs more than 400 people, making it one of the county”s 10 largest employers. In the fiscal year 2004 — the most recent economic impact report released by the school — MUW reported $16.75 million in salaries and wages, generating about 752 jobs and $26.3 million in total labor income. More than $1.6 million in revenue associated with wages and salaries went into the state”s general fund. Expenditures for students — $38.5 million annually — generate about 636 jobs, $8.37 million in labor income, $138,780 in local sales tax and $850,883 in general-fund revenue.
More than 19,000 people participated in public events hosted at MUW in 2004, spending about $846,969, regionally, creating 32 jobs and generating $436,221 in local labor income and $15,810 in local sales tax and $75,060 in state general-fund revenue.
Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, previously said he doesn”t want the university”s name to change and is opposed to the name, Reneau University.
“I think we”re going to have to look real hard at consolidating some programs,” Brown said, noting officials have discussed the merits of consolidating administrative functions, like human resources and accounting services, of all Mississippi”s institutions of higher learning, within the IHL. “They”re talking about consolidating (offices). I think that”s where we”ll head to start with; that”s what I hear is being looked at, not only from the Legislature, but also the IHL.”
“If that doesn”t bring it in, there could be some consolidating (of schools) down the road. Not immediately, but down the road.”
Enrollment woes, but ”bright future”
“We”ve got to set a goal (of attracting students), and we”ve got to reach that goal somehow, someway,” Brown added. “Whatever it takes to get these students in, that”s what we”ve got to do.”
MUW enrolls about 2,400 students; Limbert has said the school needs to add about 1,500 to 2,000 more students to stay afloat and maintain its current programs.
“I have been getting several correspondences through e-mail from various fractions,” said Sen. Gary Jackson, R-French Camp. “As far as I know, there is no movement to close The W or radically change it.
“My connection with my constituents with The W is very much in the nursing program at MUW, which seems to be serving an extremely useful purpose,” he added. “I understand there is a need for trimming waste in government or looking at all programs that may be considered duplicative, but I”m not so sure that”s the place to start.”
“I think MUW has got a bright future,” said Rep. Jimmy Puckett, D-Amory. “It has so many excellent programs that just make it outstanding and people are attracted to those programs.
“I”ve had probably 200 contacts for leaving the name the same and one that wanted to change it,” he continued. “Certainly most of those were alumni, but from many, many different counties. I haven”t completely made my mind up, but I”m leaning toward leaving it just as it is.”
Rep. Reecy Dickson, D-Macon, declined to comment on the long-term future of MUW.
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