Jackson State Looking to Consolidate Programs

Jackson State University President Ronald Mason Jr. says his school will seek consolidation of some academic
programs and an evaluation process is under way. By the end of May, JSU department heads will have submitted
reports detailing why their programs are necessary. Programs will be evaluated with final recommendations likely
coming in January. The state College Board must approve any changes. Mason says he hopes many of the programs marked for changes will take “different shapes and forms” and not be eliminated. As with Mississippi’s other public universities, JSU faced two rounds of state budget cuts this year. At a Tuesday meeting, several faculty members expressed concern over the possibility that some programs could be eliminated.