51³Ô¹ÏÍø

°ä°¿±·°Õ´¡°ä°Õ:ÌýCaron Blanton

Joint statement from the institutional executive officers of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s eight public universities

51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s public universities respect the NCAA’s position as it relates to the State of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s flag.

Several years ago, our universities recognized that the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s state flag unites 51³Ô¹ÏÍøans, 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.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø

President Nora Roberts Miller, M.B.A.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø University for Women

President Jerryl Briggs, Sr., Ph.D.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Valley State University

Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce, Ed.D.

University of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

President Rodney D. Bennett, Ed.D.

University of Southern 51³Ô¹ÏÍø