The presidents of our Faculty Senate, Staff Council, Student Government Association, and Graduate Student Association and the presidents of our Alumni Association, USM Foundation, and USM Athletics Foundation are involved with the University administration in formulating our plan of action. We will keep you informed as this plan evolves. Critical to accomplishing these priorities is retaining our talented faculty and staff. In my 30 years in higher education, I have not experienced a more serious situation. If, indeed, the IHL Board of Trustees is forced to declare a financial emergency and we then have to undergo cuts of this magnitude, higher education in our state will suffer irreparably.
Education is the key to continued economic growth and development in Mississippi.
Without a strong system of higher education, our future is in peril, Thank you for your commitment to The University of Southern Mississippi and for your support in this time of urgent need.