merger talks official

Governor Haley Barbour’s announcement on Monday of a proposed budget plan substantiated rumors of a possible merger between MUW and Mississippi State University. The proposal is still just that – a proposal. The final decision will be made by the Mississippi Legislature.

In state newspapers, many legislators have stated that they do not believe the merger proposal will go through. According to a story in the Commercial Dispatch, Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus said, “I think it’s really going to be dead on arrival,” of the governor’s merger suggestions. “The college and universities committee chairman (Rep. Kelvin Buck, D-Holly Springs) already indicated as much. The bill would be going through him and his committee. If he doesn’t want it, it’s dead.”

The Commercial Dispatch also reported on MUW President Claudia Limbert’s position. “As for the governor’s proposal ... no explanation (is) provided of merger details (nor) clear evidence that merger would result in significant savings for the state. A merger would have a negative impact on the community, region as well as state,” Limbert said in a statement released by MUW Monday evening.

In response to Barbour’s proposal, an unaffiliated group, friends of the W, has been formed. Consisting of students, alumni, faculty and community members, Friends of the W is committed to keeping MUW a freestanding university. They also uphold the school’s unique mission statement.

The Friends of the W met this past Sunday in Jackson and will meet again this Sunday in Nissan Auditorium on the MUW campus at 2:00 p.m. Additional meetings are being set up around the country. Dates, times and locations will be posted on the Friends of the W Facebook page.