MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Universities and Colleges
By: Representative Bell (65th)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-101-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVES EACH STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING ON A PERMANENT BASIS CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIRED METHOD AND TERMS OF APPOINTMENTS OF MEMBERS BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-101-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-101-3. (1) From and
after July 1, 2018, the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, shall appoint the members of the Board of Trustees of State
Institutions of Higher Learning, * * * four (4)
members from each Supreme Court district * * * for
a term of nine (9) years, with the terms of each to begin * * * upon the expiration of the
term of the appointee's immediate predecessor. * * * In making such appointments to the Board of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Governor shall ensure
that the board's composition permanently includes representation of Alcorn
State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi
State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State
University, University of Mississippi and University of Southern Mississippi by
making an appointment of an alumni representative from each aforementioned
university. On the expiration of any of said terms of office the Governor
shall appoint successors, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for
terms of * * *
nine (9) years in each case.
The current president, or his/her designee, of the Student Body President's Council of Mississippi (SBPCM) shall have a reserved seat at each meeting of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. No less than once a year, the board shall seek the advise and counsel of the student body president's organization.
(2) In case of a vacancy on
said board by death or resignation of a member or from any other cause than the
expiration of such member's term of office, the board shall elect his/her
successor from the district from which the vacancy is created, who shall
hold office until the end of the next session of the Legislature. During such
term of the session of the Legislature, the Governor shall appoint the successor
member of the board from the district from which his predecessor was appointed
to hold office until the end of the period or term for which said original
trustee was appointed, to the end that one-third (1/3) of such trustees' terms
shall expire each * * * three (3) years.
(3) The Executive Director
of the Mississippi Community College Board, or his/her designee,
and one (1) member of the Mississippi Community College Board, to be
designated by the chairman of said board, shall attend all regular meetings of
the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. * * * The community/junior college
representatives shall have no jurisdiction or vote on any matter within the
jurisdiction of the board. The Executive Director of the Mississippi
Community College Board and any designee who is a state employee shall receive
no per diem for attending meetings of the board, but shall be entitled to
actual and necessary expense reimbursement and mileage for attending meetings
at locations other than Jackson, Mississippi. The designee of the Mississippi
Community College Board shall receive per diem compensation as authorized by
Section 25-3-69, * * * for attending said meetings, and shall be
entitled to reimbursement for actual expense reimbursement and mileage, which
shall be paid from funds appropriated to the Board of Trustees of State
Institutions of Higher Learning.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.