MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Butler, Dearing, Gordon, Harden, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Little, Posey, Simmons, Thomas, Walls, White
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY FOR ATTAINING THE DESIGNATION AS A TOP DOCTORAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS, Jackson State University is among Mississippi's top four doctorate-granting universities in the same "high research activity" category, according to a new data and classification system introduced by the Carnegie Foundation recently and released Friday, March 3, 2006, in The Chronicle of Higher Education; and
WHEREAS, among factors used in creating the categories were the conferral of at least 20 doctorates in 2003-2004; research and development expenditures in science and engineering fields; expenditures in nonscience and engineering fields; science and engineering staff; and doctoral conferrals in humanities fields, social science fields, science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and
WHEREAS, "Jackson State has the momentum, and our efforts are focused in the right direction," said JSU President, Ronald Mason, Jr. "I believe the new classification reflects the hard work and diligence of our dedicated graduate faculty, staff and students"; and
WHEREAS, the new rating places Jackson State University, the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi in the same category. Jackson State University and Howard University also are in the same category, leading historically black universities in research activity; and
WHEREAS, this is very significant for Jackson State University, and particularly its graduate division. The university has been gaining ground consistently, but the change in category levels the playing field somewhat in terms of where the university is ranked; and
WHEREAS, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching changed its classifications to include three subcategories of doctorate-granting institutions instead of two. The three groups were determined using a complex plotting exercise where each institution's research activity was compared from a common reference point; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State University described previously as "doctoral intensive," now is under the classification of "Research Universities (high research activity)" as are the state's other flagship universities, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and the University of Southern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this progress in the instructional and research capabilities of Mississippi's urban university which is bringing positive recognition to our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the outstanding achievement of Jackson State University for attaining the new designation as a top doctoral research university, and we extend the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate to the university for its future successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr., the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.