Mississippi Valley State University is taking steps to address some lingering challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is the time we need to galvanize as a community and turn those challenges into opportunities,” President Jerryl Briggs said in a call-to-action letter released Nov. 8.
The university is facing the lowest enrollment it has had in decades, with only 1,879 students enrolled this fall.
“The current enrollment challenges are happening nationally, and as the numbers showed for our eight public institutions here in Mississippi, seven experienced an enrollment decline this fall,” Briggs said in an email explaining why numbers were down.
Across the state, college enrollment was down by 1% from last year. MVSU had the sharpest decline at 9%.
“Recent research studies have concluded that the main reason this is happening nationally is due to several factors; however, the primary reasons are the lingering impact of the COVID-19 virus and the economic downturn resulting in many college-aged young adults going immediately into the workforce,” Briggs said.
The university has three immediate priorities following these challenges.
The first is to reaffirm accreditation through the 10-year reaffirmation process.
“Being accredited and in good standing assures our constituents and the public of the quality and integrity of MVSU and its programs,” the letter stated.
The second priority is to institute a “Bounce Back” campaign to address the low enrollment.
This campaign will be a “direct and intentional effort to regain our momentum with enrollment growth,” Briggs said via email. “A Strategic Enrollment Operations Council has been formed, and we are diligently working not just to plan but to operationalize several strategies to move us forward.”
The third priority is to address maintenance and infrastructure needs.
In the letter, the MVSU president said bids have come back higher than expected for various projects. But, he said, “I will remain steadfast and resilient in getting approval for the additional funds needed to proceed with these projects as quickly as possible.”
He said the university would seek funds from public and private partners for these needs.
“As a community, we must understand and appreciate that MVSU is our community’s four-year institution. Whether you are a graduate of MVSU or not, we all have to contribute to its growth and success,” he said.
For its alumni, MVSU will be hosting a forum Tuesday at 6 p.m.
“Our students need you,” the letter addresses alums. “You have set the bar for our students today. They need to see the heights which they can climb and exceed.”
To help the university, he said the community “must rally behind us to assist in our recruitment, lobbying efforts with the Legislature, and fundraising.
“A healthy and sustainable MVSU means more potential revenue and pride for our community.”
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
