Funding Request
Stable, consistent funding is necessary for Mississippi's future economic competitiveness.

The FY 09 funding request-an increase of almost $258 million over FY 08-includes $50.8 million for on- and off-campus education; $11 million in student financial aid; and $61 million for the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Thirty years ago, the United States had 34 percent of the world's enrollment in higher education; today, it has 14 percent. In the United States, by 2014, there will be 9 million more jobs requiring a post-secondary degree than people qualified to fill them.

Nationally, 28 percent of adults have a college degree. In Mississippi, only 21 percent of the adult population has a college degree. The United States is falling behind the rest of the world; Mississippi is falling behind the United States.

Since 2000, including the six lean years of state funding, university enrollment increased 10 percent, and has increased for 13 consecutive years.

A high-quality university education that is competitive enough to keep students in our state requires the best professors, sophisticated labs and research equipment, and safe, well-kept buildings.

Capital Renewal Request
The FY 09 funding request includes $99 million for capital renewal. For the past several years, we have requested capital renewal funds to be appropriated for routine maintenance, but have received no funding.

IHL's eight campuses, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and its 12 satellite centers consist of 1,693 buildings valued at over $4 billion dollars.

Three out of every five of these buildings are over 25 years old, some dating back to the 1880's and many from the 1920's, 1930's, and 1940's. The vast majority date from the 1960's.

With no funding for maintenance, we must use dollars that would otherwise be spent on improving academic quality, competitive faculty salaries, or instructional costs.

Facilities Needs Request
Each year, the Board of Trustees updates its capital facilities plan to prioritize its request for capital improvement funds.

The FY 2009 request of almost $130 million dollars is detailed on the other side of this handout.

Critical Board Priorities
The Board of Trustees funding request includes carefully selected Board priorities. Also, the System's strategic initiative to increase the number and quality of Baccalaureate graduates by 2015 is underway, as each institution prepares its own action plan to achieve the System's stretch goals.

The Board of Trustees FY 09 funding request includes the following System-wide requests.

• $36.4 million for Ayers Settlement funding;
• $1.6 million for academically under-prepared students, including Blue Ribbon Committee recommendations;
• $250,000 to support the statewide education website, Mississippi.edu;
• $600,000 for economic development facilitation;
• $3.0 million (year one of three) for distance learning expansion;
• $1.5 million for instructional technology investment; and
• $3.0 million for endowed professorships.