House Bill 338

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES OF THIS STATE TO ADMIT ANY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO GRADUATES IN THE TOP TEN PERCENT OF HIS GRADUATING CLASS FROM A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL IN THIS STATE; TO REQUIRE A UNIVERSITY ADMITTING SUCH A STUDENT TO REVIEW THE STUDENT'S ACADEMIC WORK TO DETERMINE IF ADDITIONAL COLLEGE PREPARATION IS NEEDED BY THE STUDENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Each public university in this state shall admit an applicant for admission to the university as an undergraduate student if the applicant graduated in one (1) of the two (2) school years preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission from a public or private high school in this state accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization with a grade point average in the top ten percent (10%) of the student's high school graduating class. To qualify for admission under this section, an applicant must submit an application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the university.

(2) After admitting an applicant under this section, the university shall review the applicant's record and any other factor the university considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program. The university may require a student so identified to enroll during the summer immediately after the student is admitted under this section to participate in appropriate enrichment courses and orientation programs. This section does not prohibit a student who is not determined to need additional preparation for college-level work from enrolling, if the student chooses, during the summer immediately after the student is admitted under this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.