Mississippi State

A landscaping fiasco has caused Vance Watson to resign as interim president of MSU. Watson had applied to become the next president of the university. But in 2007, Watson had sent MSU landscaping students to do landscaping work for Higher Education Commissioner Thomas Meredith. Meredith has asked Watson for a recommendation for soil testing and landscaping. Watson did repay the state $12,000 for the landscape work done with MSU equipment, students, and supplies. Watson said that he did not want this issue to bring down MSU, so he stepped down.

Roy Ruby, former MSU vice president for student affair, has been named interim president while the search continues for a new president.

Mississippians are preparing for the possible arrival of Gustav. On this third anniversary of Katrina, even places far north are keeping an eye on the weather.

Mississippi State does have an emergency management plan. In case of a campus emergency, students will be notified through the MSU emergency web page, text messaging, campus radio, the hot line (662-325-5555), and other media.

The Maroon Alert is normal but students are encouraged to keep an eye on the weather as many will be traveling home or to the MSU/LA Tech football game this long holiday weekend.

As of Friday, MSU will be closed Monday for the holiday but classes will resume Tuesday, September 2nd.

A college education just got more expensive. The Mississippi College Board has voted to increase tuition at eight Mississippi universities, including Mississippi State. Here are the increase and the yearly tuition costs.

$175 at Alcorn State University, raising tuition to $4,498.
$201 at Delta State University, raising tuition to $4,449.
$157 at Jackson State University, raising tuition to $4,634.
$172 at Mississippi State University, raising tuition to $5,150.
$214 at Mississippi State University for Women, raising tuition to $4,423.
$158 at Mississippi Valley State University, raising tuition to $4,575.
$173 at University of Mississippi, raising tuition to $5,107.
$181 at the University of Southern Mississippi, raising tuition to $5,096.

Imagine my surprise and sheer enthusiasm when I started to watch Jeopardy! yesterday and saw someone wearing an Mississippi State jersey. Best of all he was a contestant. Joey Beachum won yesterday’s battle to advance to the semi-finals.

Here is an interview with Beachum in Posted in News | 1 Comment »