House Concurrent Resolution 7

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 20 THROUGH JANUARY 24, 2014, AS MAICU WEEK IN HONOR OF THE MEMBER INSTITUTIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) was organized on December 7, 1967; and

WHEREAS, the organization was established for all degree-granting independent colleges and universities in the State of Mississippi which are nonprofit in character and accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and

WHEREAS, the seven member institutions, being Belhaven University, Blue Mountain College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Rust College, Tougaloo College and William Carey University, have joined together to strengthen the higher educational system in Mississippi by offering 140 graduate and undergraduate degree programs, including law and medical schools, and maintaining and improving its dual nature with emphasis on quality, freedom and responsibility to serve the educational and cultural needs of the state and nation; and

WHEREAS, the seven institutions enrolled 15,835 students in the 2013 fall session, seventy percent of whom are Mississippians, and the quality of the institutions attracted students from 45 additional states and 32 countries; and

WHEREAS, there were 3,961 graduates in 2013, most of whom will reside in and contribute to the growth and development of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the 61,340 alumni of the MAICU institutions residing in 81 counties in Mississippi are contributing to the development of the State of Mississippi in every profession and area of life, including ministerial, teaching, medical, legal, public service and business, and are providing jobs and services, creating tax revenues, and enjoying the amenities this great state offers; and

WHEREAS, the member institutions have alumni serving with distinction in each branch of state government, as well as in the United States Congress; and

WHEREAS, the member institutions in MAICU have been in continuous service for over 120 years with Mississippi College, founded in January 1826 just six years after the founding of the State of Mississippi, being the oldest institution of higher learning in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That in recognition of the outstanding contributions of the member institutions of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to the students and to the State of Mississippi, we do designate the week of January 20 through January 24, 2014, as MAICU Week.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the presidents of each member institution of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.