28 Oct 2009 12:54am | Posted by Steve Rogers | Steve Rogers' Column
At MUW, Time to Get Heads Out of the Sand
It's time for the Mississippi University for Women community to take a long, hard look at itself. No more hiding behind emotion, arguing over who's to blame, or sniping over personalities and personal agendas. This isn't about Reneau University. This isn't about Dr. Claudia Limbert, the university's now lame-duck president. This is about the university's future. Like it or not, MUW is in trouble. About 18 months ago, as the university forged ahead with a name-change process I supported and in which I have been involved, I suggested we must face the reality that a perfect storm was brewing that eventually could force a merger with a larger institution. Most ignored the warning, laughing it off as outrageous exaggeration. In February, as the storm clouds swelled on the horizon, I suggested a Plan B for maintaining the university's status as a free-standing entity might be a partnership with East Mississippi Community College focusing on nursing and allied health fields, both areas in which the two excel. But Friday, a leading Columbus businessman was astonished to hear those discussions might be a reality. And Tuesday, a top MUW administrator sounded almost incredulous as he asked a legislator if such ideas really were a possibility. "You damn right they are," was the response. State Rep. George Flaggs, a Vicksburg Democrat and influential member of the House Appropriations Committee, opened some eyes last week when he suggested the state must seriously consider consolidation in education, not only in grades K-12 but also in community colleges and universities. He followed that up with, "We cannot afford to have a major university having less students, on a good day, than a community college." He was referring to MUW and the fact its 2,400 students are less than every community college in the state. Flaggs said publicly what's been whispered for months. His comments dovetailed into almost constant warnings that state funding for education is going to tighten significantly during the next two years. Reductions of 10, 15 or even 20 percent are possible, if not likely. "We're going to have a math problem," advised Sen. Doug Davis, a Hernando Republican who chairs the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee. Davis stopped short of saying MUW would close, but other legislators are becoming more open about wondering out loud about the university's viability. They say it's unfair for MSU, Ole Miss and Southern Miss to continue to "subsidize" the state's five smaller universities. State Rep. Mac Huddleston of Pontotoc noted the state could save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars if universities shared top administrative posts. That sounds an awfully lot like a first step toward consolidation. Even Dr. Hank Bounds, who was named in July to lead the state's college system, hedges his bets. He's said repeatedly a new name is not a "panacea" for MUW's future, suggesting other changes are needed, although he told me in August closing campuses shouldn't be on the table just yet. Add it all up -- three years of constricted state financing, Limbert's pending departure and the tiresome bickering by the small-but-critical group of influential alumni -- and it's clear a perfect storm is gaining strength. The remedy is clear; the university must continue to sweat the details, but to control its own destiny, it must focus on the big picture beyond its own insular landscape. Yes, the name change must go forward. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant is getting weak-kneed, suggesting he intends to bring all sides together to try to reach a compromise on a new name. That ignores two years of work, research and diverse input that went into picking Reneau and will only fuel the turmoil. He should have the courage to back the university's choice and the will of the IHL. The university must expand recruitment and retention. That work paid off this fall with the highest full-time equivalency in a decade. But the numbers still are far short of the 4,000 to 4,500 enrollment MUW officials say is necessary to survive under the current funding formula. And it must continue to emphasize the programs it does best. The public also must get involved. Local residents should interact more frequently in the university's daily cultural and academic activities, lectures and performances. Improved town and gown relations would demonstrate support for the university and better integrate students into the community. Furthermore, Lowndes Countians must get off the sidelines, tell the warring factions "enough is enough," and fight not only to maintain but also grow the university. This isn't someone else's problem. MUW pumps millions of dollars into the local economy each year in salaries, local purchases and student spending. Its presence puts Columbus on the map. We can't afford to let it die. But the other responsibility lies with the university and its graduates -- all of them. It may be two, five or even 10 years down the road, but major changes are coming. Those who truly support the university, are committed to its future and believe it must continue to play a vital role in higher education in the state had better start preparing for that day. Two good options are available; merge with Mississippi State and become its Honors College, focusing on a handful of undergraduate and graduate programs or develop a partnership with EMCC. The last three MSU presidents have said privately they could do wonders with the MUW campus, filling it to the brim with students almost overnight. And with current president Dr. Mark Keenum shooting for an enrollment of 22,000 students sooner than later, MUW is an attractive target for helping to meet that goal in terms of students, improved programs and housing and classroom space. MUW can position itself now for the honors college scenario or risk being just an extension -- MSU-C -- of its big sister, a change that would tarnish the historic legacy rightfully cherished by so many. Option two may be the better one. And the university has to look just 60 miles north for an example; in Tupelo, the University of Mississippi-Tupelo and Itawamba Community College have shared a campus and programs for years. ICC handles most of the technical skills training and the basic courses. UMT does the upper level work and students graduate with either an associate's degree from ICC or a four-year diploma from Ole Miss. EMCC's enrollment topped 4,000 this fall. Certainly some are short-termers looking to upgrade their job skills, but many others, lured by guaranteed tuition, are getting a start on what eventually will be a four-year degree. Dr. Rick Young, EMCC's president, wants to expand the college's scope. He's trying to obtain a building for classes in Mathiston. He wants to construct residential housing at the Mayhew campus and add more in Scooba. And he wants local counties in the college's service area to finance a new $12 million allied health building that would be a showplace for its growing health and nursing programs. But the economy is having the same impact on the two-year school's finances. That picture isn't likely to improve, especially since EMCC depends heavily on local tax dollars that are as scarce as state funds. Instead of stretching the colleges physical presence, Young should focus on its academic reach. The days of being everywhere for everyone are over. He'd be wise to jump at the opportunity for a partnership with MUW because an "us-versus-them" approach benefits no one. Using the UMT-ICC model as a starting point, MUW and EMCC could create their own perfect storm that would demonstrate leadership, keep the financial wolves at bay and meet both schools' objectives and missions. They could share health-related programs, particularly nursing. MUW has the facilities, classrooms and expertise to take EMCC's programs to a new level. It also has housing for students who want to live on campus. They could share staff for other career paths, such as business, education, law and restaurant management. Students could leave after two years with an associate's degree or stay and complete their bachelor's. Certainly someone is smart enough to develop a formula where the two can split credit for students so both benefit from the enrollment numbers that are so critical to current and future funding. The money EMCC wants to spend elsewhere could go into existing programs on both campuses. And the space at MUW would allow EMCC to convert existing classrooms in Mayhew to the job-training facilities it so desperately needs. None of these changes will happen overnight. But legislators -- and taxpayers -- are tired of the squabbling. They want leadership and solutions. A unified, visionary approach, if it comes from the institutions themselves, could win not only support but also encouragement from the board of the Institutions of Higher Learning and legislators who control the purse strings. Some MUW alums may want to continue to throw their political weight around, confident they have the clout to stave off changes. Good luck. Pit them against thousands of influential graduates of MSU, Ole Miss and USM and I know where I'm placing my bets. Staff, administrators and alumni on both sides of the infighting agree leadership always has been MUW's distinguishing characteristic. Instead of being the focus of negative attention, MUW could write another chapter in its storied legacy by being a leader for other small universities in the state. That pioneering role would be fitting. But a lot of people must get their heads out of the sand or the choice won't be theirs.
Why do we want to bring down emcc? Will tuition go out of sight to fund the "W". It seems the best thing is to let the "W" go under.Is 2400 students all it can attrect now? It does'nt take a rocket scientist to figure this one out!
