December 10, 2019

Local legislators learn about college funding priorities

Fifteen Mississippi legislators, including five of the eight new legislators elected since fall 2018, were among those attending the Nov. 21 District Legislative Luncheon at Hinds Community College. More per…
BY: Cathy Hayden

Fifteen Mississippi legislators, including five of the eight new legislators elected since fall 2018, were among those attending the Nov. 21 District Legislative Luncheon at Hinds Community College.

More per student (FTE) funding for community colleges in Mississippi, faculty raises and capital improvements top the list of community college needs, Hinds President Dr. Clyde Muse said.

He emphasized the three main priorities in two-year colleges’ $245.9 million request of lawmakers for FY 2021.

“This will enable us to keep our tuition down where students can afford to come to school. The increase in tuition has been significantly more than the increase in funding on the state or local level,” he said.

Colleen Hartfield, executive assistant to the president for special projects, coordinates the annual function. “Our primary goal is to help legislators understand how their support makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our students, our employees and the communities in our district,” she said.