MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Universities and Colleges
By: Representatives Harness, Holloway, Denton, Foster, Paden, Thompson
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-101-1, 37-101-91, 37-101-141, 37-101-147, 37-101-181, 37-121-3 AND 37-121-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO UPDATE REFERENCES TO ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY AND CERTAIN OTHER STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE MISSISSIPPI CODE TO REFLECT CURRENT NAME DESIGNATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-101-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-101-1. The following state institutions of higher learning shall be under the management and control of a board of trustees to be known as the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, namely:
(a) The University of Mississippi;
(b) * * * Mississippi State University of Agriculture
and Applied Science;
(c) * * * Mississippi * * * University for Women;
(d) The University of Southern Mississippi;
(e) * * * Delta State * * * University;
(f) * * * Alcorn * * * State
University;
(g) * * * Jackson State * * * University;
(h) * * * Mississippi Valley State * * * University;
(i) And any other of
like kind which may be hereafter established by the state * * *.
SECTION 2. Section 37-101-91, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-101-91. The Board of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and
empowered to contract with and borrow money from the United States of America,
or any department, instrumentality, or agency thereof, as may be designated or
created to make loans and grants, or from private lenders, at an overall rate
of interest to maturity not to exceed that allowed in Section 75-17-103, for
the purpose of acquiring land for, and erecting, repairing, remodeling,
maintaining, adding to, extending, improving, equipping, or acquiring
dormitories, dwellings, apartments, athletic stadium, gymnasiums, student union
buildings, student service centers, athletic fields, swimming pools, parking
facilities, cafeterias, dining halls, and/or other revenue producing
facilities, to be located at or near the campuses of the University of
Mississippi, Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science,
Mississippi * * * University for Women, Alcorn * * * State University,
University of Southern Mississippi, Delta State * * * University, Jackson State * * * University, Mississippi Valley
State * * *
University, and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.
In agreements or commitments by or between the aforesaid board of trustees and private lenders and/or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make loans or grants for the construction of dormitories in which bonds are to be issued under the provisions of Sections 37-101-91 through 37-101-103, and in which part or all of the principal and/or interest on said bonds is to be paid or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said bonds shall bear a net interest rate not in excess of that allowed in Section 75-17-103.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, bonds referred to hereinabove may be issued pursuant to the supplemental powers and authorizations conferred by the provisions of the Registered Bond Act, being Sections 31-21-1 through 31-21-7.
SECTION 3. Section 37-101-141, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-101-141. The Board of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and
empowered, in its discretion, to sell and dispose of the timber, trees, dead
wood and stumps standing, growing and being upon the lands granted to the State
of Mississippi for the use and benefit of the University of Mississippi by an
act of Congress of the United States approved June 20, 1894, and upon the lands
granted to the State of Mississippi for the use and benefit of Mississippi * * * University for Women by an
act of Congress of the United States approved March 2, 1895, and upon the lands
granted to the State of Mississippi for the use and benefit of Mississippi
State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and Alcorn * * * State
University by an act of Congress of the United States approved February 20,
1895, whenever the sale or disposition of such timber shall be to the best
advantage of the institutions named herein. Such timber shall be sold and
disposed of under the direction and specifications of the State Forestry
Commission in accordance with sound and efficient principles of forestry
management and conservation.
SECTION 4. Section 37-101-147, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-101-147. All leases and
conveyances of timber, trees, dead wood and stumps, and all oil, gas and
mineral leases, or leases for other purposes, provided for in Sections 37-101-141
and 37-101-143, shall be executed by the President of the Board of Trustees of
State Institutions of Higher Learning, and attested by the Commissioner of
Higher Education, respectively, for and on behalf of the University of
Mississippi, Mississippi * * *State College University for Women, Mississippi State
University of Agriculture and Applied Science and Alcorn * * * State
University, as the case may be. The corporate seal of the proper
institution shall be affixed to all conveyances and leases of the lands held
for the use and benefit of such institutions. In all such cases such
conveyances and leases shall be executed only upon the order or resolution of
the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in the manner
and method hereinbefore set forth.
SECTION 5. Section 37-101-181, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-101-181. Any member of
the faculties of Alcorn * * *A & M College State University, Jackson State * * * University, and Mississippi
Valley State * * *
University shall be eligible for leave of absence to pursue advanced
academic training so as to elevate the scholastic qualifications of the
faculties of these above-mentioned colleges, in line with the requirements of
the several accrediting agencies.
In order to provide for the above leaves, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall have power to adopt rules and regulations regarding such leave. In no instance shall leave be granted unless there is a contract providing for continued service, after expiration of the leave, in the college where the faculty member is employed.
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized to make payment of salary, or such part of salary as may be decided, of such faculty members who are under contract for academic leaves.
SECTION 6. Section 37-121-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-121-3. All the
provisions in Chapter 113 of this title, being sections applicable to the
Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, that can
reasonably apply to Alcorn * * * State
University, shall apply to the college, except those sections on the
subject of apportioning students among the several counties of the state and
dormitory privileges for them and those sections on the subject of agricultural
experimental stations.
SECTION 7. Section 37-121-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-121-5. The Mississippi agricultural
and forestry experimental station is * * * authorized to establish a branch at
Alcorn * * * State University, Lorman, Mississippi,
for the purpose of providing an organization for cooperative effort between the
two land grant institutions in furthering a unified agricultural research
program for the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.