Mississippi judge nears approval of college bias case

Jet, Jan 21, 2002

A federal judge recently said that he is ready to approve a settlement in Mississippi's long- running college desegregation case if the Legislature assures him it supports the $500 million pact.

In a 10-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. said that if lawmakers provide those assurances he "will not stand in the way" and the settlement will be accepted by the court.

Biggers expressed concern saying while the settlement has widespread support, it is expensive and hamstrings state leaders from making organizational changes in higher education for 17 years.

The original lawsuit filed in 1975 by the late Jake Ayers Sr. on behalf of his son Jake Jr., claimed the state was neglecting its historically Black schools. In 1992 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Ayers Sr. and sent the case back to Biggers.

The agreement to end the court case, providing millions of dollars for programs and facilities at the historically Black institutions Jackson State, Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State, was signed by lead plaintiff Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and College Board members, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Atty. Gen. Mike Moore last April and forwarded to Biggers (JET, May 14, 2001).

The settlement calls for $246 million to be spent over 17 years on academic programs at the three institutions.

An additional $75 million would go to capital improvement projects, $70 millions to public endowments and up to $35 million for private endowments. Other programs, including summer classes for struggling students, will receive the balance.

Before the universities can fully control the endowments the settlement also requires them to reach at least 10 percent non-Black enrollment for three consecutive years.