Tax credits are available this year for families with children in college. The Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act approved by the Legislature pays tuition and other expenses for students who agree to teach in critical needs areas of the state after graduation. Currently 400 teaching positions in the state remain unfilled. A large number of teachers are nearing retirement age, so the teacher shortage problem is expected to become more critical in the years ahead. Meyer said there is always concern that a tuition increase might discourage kids from going to school.
Early indications seem to be that there is strong interest in our university programs.
Besides increasing faculty salaries, the tuition increase will also be used for equipping new and renovated facilities, and paying for inflationary increases on items such as library books, magazines, utilities and travel. Often in recent years faculty have bought supplies out of their own pocket due to budget shortfalls. Faculty travel has also been curtailed. Higher education being a very people-oriented business, most of the costs go into salaries. It is important to support faculty with diverse interests and abilities.