OXFORD, Miss. – The faculty at the University of
Mississippi is firmly supporting Chancellor Robert Khayat
in his efforts to encourage a more equitable method of
allocating funds for the state’s eight universities.
This week, UM’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution urging
Khayat to continue his efforts to encourage the Board of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to revise
the funding allocation process.
Mississippi’s eight public universities are funded in part
by a lump sum appropriation to the IHL board. The board
then allocates funds to each of the institutions. Ole Miss
receives the second-lowest amount per student of the eight
universities.
John S. Williamson, chair of UM’s Faculty Senate, said that
the IHL elected to “lock in” funding allocations in
response to “dwindling and stagnant” state funding from
2001 to 2006.
“The funding method does not take into account fluctuation
in enrollment and operational changes,” Williamson said.
“We urge the IHL board to implement an equitable
adjustment.”
“The faculty has complete confidence in Chancellor Khayat
to do what is best for this university, including students,
faculty and staff,” Williamson said. “This is just one more
example of his commitment to assure that the University of
Mississippi has all resources possible to be an outstanding
public academic institution.”