Photo by Michelle Yang

The Mississippi Board of Education voted to send Mississippi State’s proposal to house MSMS to state legislators Thursday [March 20] after grading the land-grant’s plan higher than the one submitted by the Mississippi University for Women.

The Mississippi Board of Education voted to send Mississippi State University’s proposal to house MSMS to state legislators Thursday [March 20] after grading the land grant’s plan higher than the one submitted by the Mississippi University for Women.

Out of a 400-point rubric, the MSU proposal received 363 points, while MUW’s plan received 304 points.

“The committee went through their evaluations and went through the rubrics of everything just like every other subcommittee we’ve had evaluate something. Based upon that, it seems like the winner between the two was Mississippi State,” Board Vice Chair Matt Miller said.

During the meeting, board members emphasized the importance of continuing the process that could move MSMS to Starkville. Board member Matt Mayo described a grim situation MSMS finds itself in.

“There is already an issue with the living conditions in the dorms for students who are there today. Regardless of what happens [in the meeting], there is an immediate issue,” Mayo said.

Miller piggybacked off Mayo’s sentiment and said how important it is to expedite MSMS-related actions.

“The ball is moving. In order to keep advancing, we have to [recommend the MSU plan]. Once we get that information to the state legislature and get [its feedback], we can decide what to do next,” Miller said.

It is unknown if or when the Legislature will take up the report.

The Vision will provide updates as they become available.