MS SB2844

Appropriates $337,627,570.00 from the State General Fund to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for support, maintenance, and repairs at eight state universities for fiscal year 2016.

Appropriates $695,113,006.00 from federal, student fees, and other special source funds for education and general operations at the eight universities.

Allocates $19,367,000.00 for Ayers Settlement implementation, including $13,467,000.00 for Ayers-related programs at Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State universities, $5,000,000.00 for the Ayers Endowment Fund, and $900,000.00 for endowment fund interest.

Establishes specific allocations for targeted initiatives including $157,500.00 for the Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented, $390,000.00 for Teacher Corps, $900,000.00 for Mississippi State University-Meridian Branch, and $550,000.00 for Jackson State University E-Learning Center.

Sets performance measure targets for institutions including freshman retention rates (79.40%), six-year graduation rates (56.30%), and expenditure percentages for research (2.90%), technology (12.20%), and operations/maintenance (13.20%).