House Bill 742

AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND REPORT ON GRADUATION RATES IN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) It is the intent of the Legislature and the expectation of each institution of higher learning and community and junior colleges in the state that all students in such institutions receive a quality education and graduate from such institutions. The Legislature also recognizes that annual performance reports show that a significant number of students underperform and fail to meet their goal of graduation.

(2) To assist the Legislature in shaping public policy to improve student outcomes and educational opportunities for all students in such institutions of higher learning, there is established a task force to study and report on the graduation rates in the state institutions of higher learning and junior and community colleges.

(3) The task force shall be composed of the following thirteen (13) members.

(a) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Universities and Colleges Committees;

(b) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees;

(d) The Commissioner of Higher Education or his designee;

(e) The Director of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges or his designee;

(f) The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and the State Board of Education or their designees;

(g) A representative of the Governor's Office appointed by the Governor;

(h) A president of one (1) comprehensive university appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning;

(i) A president of one (1) historical black university appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning; and

(j) Two (2) presidents of community or junior colleges to be appointed by the President of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges.

(4) Appointments to the task force must be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. Within fifteen (15) days after the expiration of the period for making appointments, on a day to be designated by the Commissioner of Higher Education, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman. The vice chairman also must serve as secretary and be responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the membership of the task force shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force shall be required. All members must be notified in writing of all meetings at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting of the task force is scheduled.

(5) The task force may contract for any professional services that it deems necessary to complete its work and shall tour any universities and community or junior colleges as it deems necessary. The Legislature shall appropriate sufficient funding to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the contractual costs and travel associated with attending meetings and for the on-site visits to universities and community or junior colleges.

(6) Members of the task force who are not legislators, state officials or state employees shall be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69 and reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41 for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Legislative members of the task force shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the task force may be paid while the Legislature is in session. Task force members may not incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote at a meeting of the task force, which action must be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Nonlegislative members may be paid from any funds made available to the task force for that purpose.

(7) The task force shall compile data, study and report on measures that may be taken to improve graduation rates in the universities, community colleges and junior colleges.

(8) The Commissioner of Higher Education shall provide appropriate staff to assist the task force with carrying out its duties. Before December 31, 2010, the task force shall submit to the Legislature and the Governor a written report of its findings and recommendations on measures to improve graduation rates in universities, community colleges and junior colleges. Upon presentation of its report, the task force shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.