Mississippi Commissioner of Higher Education David Potter is expected to attend the hearing that is likely to take a couple of hours, said Pam Smith, the board's chief public affairs officer.
Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State need the Ayers settlement funds during tough times, board officials say.
"Our schools don't have access to the money. It is millions being held up, but that is the process," Smith said. "At Alcorn, we have a (business) building ready to go, but no furniture."
The settlement calls for $246 million to be spent over 17 years on academic programs at Jackson State, Alcorn and Mississippi Valley. Another $75 million would go to capital improvement projects, $70 million to public endowments and up to $35 million in private endowments. Other programs, including summer classes for struggling students, will receive the balance.
— Associated Press
