By Staff
USM'S FUTURE – Dr. Shelby Thames, president of the University of Southern Mississippi, fielded questions Monday from Meridian Rotary Club members. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By William F. West / community editor
June 25, 2002
University of Southern Mississippi President Shelby Thames said Monday an additional tuition increase would keep professors from pursuing more lucrative jobs and continue luring research grants.
The state College Board postponed a vote last week on a proposal to raise tuition at USM and Jackson State University above the 8 percent increase already approved for all eight universities.
The College Board voted last month to raise tuition at USM from $3,416 to $3,689 for the 2002-2003 school year. USM, though, has requested an additional increase of $184 a year.
Thames said that a 1995 state law provided tuition grants of $500 a year for freshmen or sophomores with a 2.5 grade point average and $1,000 a year for juniors or seniors with a 2.5 GPA.
Thames said USM needs the extra tuition increase because of state budget cuts to higher education and "the fact that we need to remain strong and viable. We need to continue to be able to keep good quality personnel with us."
Thames emphasized the importance of securing dollars for research, particularly for equipment and maintenance. And for that, he said, the university must be able to retain professors.