MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Universities and Colleges

By: Representative Sykes

House Bill 563

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-125-1, 37-125-3, 37-125-5 AND 37-125-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AS THE STATE'S PREEMINENT PUBLIC URBAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY; REQUIRING JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND TO SERVE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS IN A CERTAIN MANNER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-125-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-125-1.  A body politic and corporate is hereby created by the name of the "Jackson State * * *College University" to have perpetual succession, with power to contract and be contracted with, to receive by any legal method of transfer or conveyance, property of any description, to have, hold and employ the same, to make and use a corporate seal, with power to break or change the same, and to adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for the government of its members, official agents, and employees.  * * *However, the name of said "Jackson State College" is hereafter changed to "Jackson State University," without interference with the rights, powers and prerogatives of said college which continue in all respects. Whenever the name "Jackson State College" appears, the same is construed to denote "Jackson State University."

     SECTION 2.  Section 37-125-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-125-3.  (1)  The object of the Jackson State * * *College University shall be to qualify teachers for the public schools of this state by giving instruction in the art and practice of teaching in all branches of study which pertain to industrial training, health, and rural and elementary education, and such other studies as the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, in cooperation with the State Department of Education, may, from time to time, prescribe.

     (2)  Additionally, with respect to Jackson State University, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall direct the President and Executive Cabinet of Jackson State University to develop and implement a plan for the enhancement of the university and its designation as the state's preeminent public urban research university with the appropriate programs, faculty and facilities.

     (3)  Jackson State University:

          (a)  Has the responsibility, with other publicly funded postsecondary educational institutions, for providing higher education research and graduate study in the Jackson, Mississippi, area;

          (b)  Is designated as the state's preeminent public urban research university with a mission of instruction, research and service;

          (c)  Offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees in the arts and sciences;

          (d)  Emphasizes education addressing urban concerns;

          (e)  Offers the professional and graduate programs approved by the president, executive cabinet and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning;

          (f)  Shall be dedicated to the development and delivery of comprehensive and high-quality academic programs and services to its university community and the citizens of Mississippi, particularly the citizens of the Jackson, Mississippi, area; and

          (g)  Shall serve a diverse citizenry in an innovative and collaborative manner, all the while exercising its responsibilities with uncompromising integrity through strong, but compassionate, leadership.

     SECTION 3.  Section 37-125-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-125-5.  The Jackson State * * *College University shall be located on the property situated near the City of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, and containing forty-nine (49) acres more or less north of the Y.& M. V. railroad, west of Dalton Street, Section 9, Township 6, Range 1, east, and otherwise known as Jackson College.

     SECTION 4.  Section 37-125-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-125-7.  (1)  The * * *executive head president of * * *the Jackson State * * *College University shall be held as the professional adviser of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on all matters pertaining to the inside arrangements of buildings, selection of faculty, and course of study.  He/she shall have the immediate supervision and management of * * *said college the university in all its departments, subject however, to the general supervision, management, and direction of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

     (2)  The president shall develop an overall plan that is consistent with the statewide plan for higher education and the university's mission statement:

          (a)  Set forth both long-range and short-range goals, objectives and priorities for postsecondary education, research and service provided by the university;

          (b)  Identifies the role, function and mission of the university;

          (c)  Provides for the enhancement of the university as the state's preeminent public urban research university;

          (d)  Encourages and supports high quality undergraduate and graduate programs on its campus; and

          (e)  Stimulates outreach to the community and state through close relationships with public elementary and secondary schools, business and industry and governmental agencies.

     SECTION 5.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.