MS SB2857

Appropriates $338,127,570 from the State General Fund and $712,589,489 from federal, student fees, and special source funds to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015) to support Mississippi's eight public universities

Allocates $20,117,000 for Ayers Settlement implementation costs, including $13,467,000 for Ayers-related programs at historically Black universities (Alcorn State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State), $5,000,000 for the Ayers Endowment Fund, and $750,000 for the Ayers Summer Development Program

Provides $10,000,000 from the Capital Expense Fund for construction, repair, and renovation projects across all eight universities, plus $7,000,000 specifically for additions to Jackson State University's College of Science, Engineering and Technology facilities

Designates specific program funding including $157,500 for the Mississippi Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented, $390,000 for Teacher Corps, $2,000,000 for economic development efforts split among four universities, and $675,000 for Delta State University's Commercial Aviation Department

Establishes performance targets including a 79.40% freshman retention rate and 56.30% six-year graduation rate, and requires off-campus centers to be funded at minimum 65% of on-campus full-time equivalent student costs