In addition to the current stresses of record-breaking gas prices and through-the-roof costs of living, Mississippi State students could be faced with increases in tuition as well.
The Mississippi Legislature will move into a special session next month to solve the budget question after lawmakers failed to make an agreement in the regular session earlier this year.
During the special session, lawmakers will consider the budget for higher education. However, Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees member Scott Ross said if the funding for higher learning institutions is not increased, tuition will most definitely rise.
The Legislature is split between funding K-12 and Medicaid, he said. If lawmakers choose to give the most funding to those services, higher education will receive a larger cut than expected.
“We have a difficult time competing with K-12 and Medicaid because of the sheer numbers of people in this state who are affected by that,” Ross said. “I think you’re going to see the universities propose increases. We just don’t know how much yet.”
The lack of overall funds in the state is not the only factor affecting the current tuition rates, according to former MSU Student Association President Adam Telle.
“[Gov. Haley] Barbour and the Republicans are refusing to raise taxes, such as the proposed cigarette tax, and our budget is short. On top of that, gas prices, utilities and the overall amount of money it takes to operate the university is rising because of inflation,” Telle said. “It is disheartening to me. Less than a third of our Legislature has received education past grade 12, so they don’t realize that higher education is so important.”
According to SA President Jon David Cole, the Mississippi lawmakers need to change their ideals.
“The Legislature in Jackson has got their priorities all wrong. This just shows where government’s priorities are off,” Cole said.
Cole said the SA will be gathering with other schools in the state in the next few weeks and visiting Jackson to lobby. Cole urges any students who feel passionate to contact him and join in on the cause.
“Every student can write or call legislature, and it really could help,” said Cole.
Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Kibler said the university sympathizes with its students.
“We are doing all we can do in the area of financial aid and scholarships, but rising costs are going to be there,” Kibler said.
The average percent tuition increase was 7 percent in 2004.
No tuition increase proposals have been submitted to the state College Board yet, Kibler said.