Yesterday morning Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1523, the controversial ‘religious freedom bill’ into law that allows business owners and employees to refuse service to anyone for religious reasons.
Later that day, the University of Mississippi Chancellor Jeffrey S. Vitter released a statement addressed to the UM community that said many had contacted them about how the new law will affect university operations. Vitter said the mission and values of UM had not changed.
Today, Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum released a similar statement addressing the ‘new legislation’ that had been signed into law raising significant concerns about the ‘culture of inclusion and diversity’ in Mississippi.
“Let me assure each of you that Mississippi State University’s mission and our core values are unchanged,” Keenum said in the statement.  “As I wrote in 2013 in a letter to the university community that accompanied MSU’s Diversity Strategic Plan, MSU is committed to creating and maintaining a campus community that reflects the rich diversity of this nation – an environment in which differences are welcomed, embraced, and valued.”
As of now, Sid Salter, MSU’s chief of communications, said the university is currently reviewing the new state law, federal laws, and their own policy and because of that at this time said the university has no comment.
Late last night, the Jackson Free Press reported the Jackson City Council passed a resolution against HB 1523 – ten hours after it was signed into law by the Gov. A similar resolution was also passed by Biloxi.
“The City of Jackson believe in the essential worth and dignity of every human being, promotes fair and impartial treatment of all citizens and encourages kindness, compassion, understanding and cooperations among all people,” a portion of the resolution said.
The story will be updated as more information is uncovered.
To read Keenum’s full statement, go to http://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2016/04/open-letter-msu-family-and-friends/.