"We have to keep in mind the quality of education students receive at our universities," Davis told The Clarion-Ledger. "If not consolidations, then what?"
This isn't the first time there has been an effort to merge some of the state's universities.
Previous efforts in the 1980s and 1990s failed because of pressure from outraged alumni groups. MUW, which is just 22 miles from Mississippi State, would be a prime case for merger, but it has a powerful alumni association that will put up a strong fight to stop a merger.
The governor has also recommended that Mississippi’s 152 K-12 school districts should be reduced to 100, which would mean some lower performing districts would be merged with other districts. Barbour said better performing districts would remain intact.
But the worst economic downturn since the Depression could provide the impetus for the Legislature to give serious consideration to Barbour’s proposal. State revenues have plummeted and Barbour has ordered cuts in agency spending.
