University leaders respond to NCAA position on �һ�ֱ�� state flag

�䰿��մ��:��Caron Blanton

Joint statement from the institutional executive officers of �һ�ֱ��’s eight public universities

�һ�ֱ��’s public universities respect the NCAA’s position as it relates to the State of �һ�ֱ��’s flag.

Several years ago, our universities recognized that the �һ�ֱ�� state flag in its current form is divisive and chose to lower the flag on our campuses. Today, we are committed to continuing to do our part to ensure �һ�ֱ�� is united in its pursuit of a future that is free of racism and discrimination. Such a future must include a new state flag.

In keeping the current state flag, �һ�ֱ�� will potentially forego the millions of dollars in economic impact that NCAA postseason events bring to our state. This is unfortunate. Our student-athletes and coaches, who devote so much of their time, talent, hard work and dedication to their sports and our universities, will potentially be negatively impacted through no action of their own. This is more than unfortunate.

We are looking forward to a time when our state flag represents the full and rich diversity of �һ�ֱ��, a diversity that is reflected in our student-athletes, our student bodies, and the friends and fans of our athletics teams. We look forward to a time when �һ�ֱ��’s state flag unites �һ�ֱ��ans, rather than divides us.

President Felicia M. Nave, Ph.D.

Alcorn State University

President William LaForge, J.D.

Delta State University

Interim President Thomas K. Hudson, J.D.

Jackson State University

President Mark E. Keenum, Ph.D.

�һ�ֱ�� State University

President Nora Roberts Miller, M.B.A.

�һ�ֱ�� University for Women

President Jerryl Briggs, Sr., Ph.D.

�һ�ֱ�� Valley State University

Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce, Ed.D.

University of �һ�ֱ��

President Rodney D. Bennett, Ed.D.

University of Southern �һ�ֱ��

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The �һ�ֱ�� Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in �һ�ֱ��, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; �һ�ֱ�� State University including the �һ�ֱ�� State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; �һ�ֱ�� University for Women; �һ�ֱ�� Valley State University; the University of �һ�ֱ�� including the University of �һ�ֱ�� Medical Center; and the University of Southern �һ�ֱ��.

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University leaders respond to NCAA position on �һ�ֱ�� state flag

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