Bill Text: MS HB563 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Jackson State University; designate as the State of Mississippi's preeminent public urban research university.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2019-02-05 - Died In Committee [HB563 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2019-HB563-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Universities and Colleges
By: Representative Sykes
House Bill 563
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-125-1, 37-125-3, 37-125-5 AND 37-125-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AS THE STATE'S PREEMINENT PUBLIC URBAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY; REQUIRING JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE DEDICATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND TO SERVE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS IN A CERTAIN MANNER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-125-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-125-1. A body politic
and corporate is hereby created by the name of the "Jackson State * * * University" to have
perpetual succession, with power to contract and be contracted with, to receive
by any legal method of transfer or conveyance, property of any description, to
have, hold and employ the same, to make and use a corporate seal, with power to
break or change the same, and to adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for the
government of its members, official agents, and employees. * * * Whenever the name "Jackson State
College" appears, the same is construed to denote "Jackson State
University."
SECTION 2. Section 37-125-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-125-3. (1) The
object of the Jackson State * * * University shall be to qualify
teachers for the public schools of this state by giving instruction in the art
and practice of teaching in all branches of study which pertain to industrial
training, health, and rural and elementary education, and such other studies as
the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, in cooperation
with the State Department of Education, may, from time to time, prescribe.
(2) Additionally, with respect to Jackson State University, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall direct the President and Executive Cabinet of Jackson State University to develop and implement a plan for the enhancement of the university and its designation as the state's preeminent public urban research university with the appropriate programs, faculty and facilities.
(3) Jackson State University:
(a) Has the responsibility, with other publicly funded postsecondary educational institutions, for providing higher education research and graduate study in the Jackson, Mississippi, area;
(b) Is designated as the state's preeminent public urban research university with a mission of instruction, research and service;
(c) Offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees in the arts and sciences;
(d) Emphasizes education addressing urban concerns;
(e) Offers the professional and graduate programs approved by the president, executive cabinet and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning;
(f) Shall be dedicated to the development and delivery of comprehensive and high-quality academic programs and services to its university community and the citizens of Mississippi, particularly the citizens of the Jackson, Mississippi, area; and
(g) Shall serve a diverse citizenry in an innovative and collaborative manner, all the while exercising its responsibilities with uncompromising integrity through strong, but compassionate, leadership.
SECTION 3. Section 37-125-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-125-5. The Jackson State * * * University shall be located on
the property situated near the City of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, and
containing forty-nine (49) acres more or less north of the Y.& M. V.
railroad, west of Dalton Street, Section 9, Township 6, Range 1, east, and
otherwise known as Jackson College.
SECTION 4. Section 37-125-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-125-7. (1) The * * * president of * * * Jackson State * * * University shall be held as the
professional adviser of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher
Learning on all matters pertaining to the inside arrangements of buildings,
selection of faculty, and course of study. He/she shall have the
immediate supervision and management of * * * the university in all its
departments, subject however, to the general supervision, management, and
direction of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
(2) The president shall develop an overall plan that is consistent with the statewide plan for higher education and the university's mission statement:
(a) Set forth both long-range and short-range goals, objectives and priorities for postsecondary education, research and service provided by the university;
(b) Identifies the role, function and mission of the university;
(c) Provides for the enhancement of the university as the state's preeminent public urban research university;
(d) Encourages and supports high quality undergraduate and graduate programs on its campus; and
(e) Stimulates outreach to the community and state through close relationships with public elementary and secondary schools, business and industry and governmental agencies.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.
