Bounds: Universities face funding shortfalls

AROUND MISSISSIPPI — A higher education leader says declining state revenues and the loss of one-time federal money will mean fewer dollars for Mississippi universities.

Hank Bounds, Mississippi’s higher education commission, told The Sun Herald the eight public universities have taken cuts in the past three years but had federal aid to make up for it.

Bounds says money earmarked for certain areas likely will be reduced, as well as research dollars. Mississippi gets an average of $500 million each year for research. He also says federal Pell grants are in jeopardy.

Bounds says higher education officials need to work with those in elementary and secondary schools to make sure students get a good foundation and are able to go on to college and succeed.