Alumni from all three historically black universities in the state have teamed up with members of the black caucus to lobby for more funding. The coalition is called Mississippi HBU Triangle. Their list of concerns include money for new dorms at Mississippi Valley, faculty and staff housing at Alcorn and 2 million dollars for Jackson State's School of Public Health. Democrat Gregory Holloway, Vice Chair of the House University and Colleges Committee says, they want funding cut from Alcorn in 2001 restored.
"Funding was cut back in 2001 and also cut from Mississippi State University. But, that funding has been restored to Mississippi State University, and we still have not fully restored the funding to to Alcorn State University." said Holloway.
The group met with leaders of both the house and senate appropriations committees. Republican Herb Frierson chairs the house side. He says they can fund some of the requests in this year's budget, but not all of them.
"From the house, we feel like we can do something at Valley, at least bare minimum fix one of the dormitories this year, possibly both of them. We can start looking at some faculty housing things. What we're going to propose there, is that we get that into the next bond plan. I think we're going to be able to do one or two more of these things, I just don't want to single them out." said Frierson.
The Mississippi HBU Triangle is also seeking a 5 percent pay increase for faculty and staff.
