A recent survey has been distributed seeking signatures to remove Dr. Jerryl Briggs as our University President.  The narrative of the petition says that Dr. Briggs has repeatedly failed those whom he pledged to serve as the President of MVSU, and the university hasn’t made any progress.  Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the farthest from the truth, and WE SUPPORT DR. BRIGGS! This petition is IN SUPPORT OF the continuation of Dr. Briggs as our President for the following reasons:

Fundraising

The University reached a new milestone in giving during the academic year by surpassing the $3.6M giving mark for FY ’21-22. This growth can be attributed to increased philanthropic initiatives, corporate donations, and significant improvement in alumni giving and support listed below:

• In Spring 2021, FedEx Corporation announced a $1 million donation to MVSU.
• In Fall 2021, MVSU received the University's largest single private donation in school history of a $2.5 million gift; after an additional gift from the same donor of a $250,000 donation
• Recent $3 million legislative appropriation for campus-wide roofing renovation
• MVSU’s Private Endowment has grown by over 70%.  

Fiscal and Operational Solvency

• The University has remained fiscally solvent for each year of Dr. Briggs’ presidency by exceeding all financial metrics required by IHL to assure sustainability, including adequate days of cash on hand, debt service requirements, and long-term debt compared to unrestricted net assets.

Employee Compensation

As of July 1, 2022, employees who were eligible to receive an increase, received a 3% - 6% pay increase.

Enrollment

• Research shows that undergraduate enrollment year over year fell by 3.6 percent in fall 2020 and by 3.1 percent in fall 2021. Total undergraduate enrollment declined 6.6 percent from fall 2019 to fall 2021, representing a loss of just over a million students. Despite these unsettling national enrollment challenges, MVSU experienced a 2% increase in Fall 2021 enrollment. Preliminary enrollment numbers for Fall 2022 will show a decrease, so to combat future enrollment challenges and to reverse the national trends still plaguing most rural/regional institutions, Dr. Briggs immediately implemented the following strategic initiatives:

Innovative Recruitment – Strategic Enrollment Initiatives 

• Dr. Briggs has convened a Strategic Enrollment Operations Council comprised of representatives from the university and MVSUNAA to implement several immediate initiatives:
  • Reestablishing our presence at the Greenville Higher Education Center,
  • Expanding an incarcerated educational initiative to include more locations
  • Implementing the Valley First! Scholarship for students arriving in Fall 2023
  • Establishing a newly created Dual Enrollment and Early College Coordinator position to immediately focus on building recruitment and retention in both programs

Infrastructure Efforts

• New basketball Pavilion
• Resurfacing the university’s track
• Funding is partially secured for the upcoming projects, including the complete renovation of the (1) Jacob Aaron Student Center, (2) Lackey Student Recreational facility, (3) baseball and softball facilities, and (4) Academic Skills Parlor building.  

Campus Interaction

The following programs and activities are a few that demonstrate Dr. Briggs’ regular interaction with students, faculty, and staff:

• Fitness Challenge 
• "Healthy MVSU" Initiative
• Town Hall Meetings
• "Share Your Thoughts" Customer Care Portal
• Monthly Employee/Alumni Spotlight
• Annual Staff Appreciation

Additional Significant Accomplishments

• Successfully negotiated contract with Chick-fil-A, Inc. and Thompson Hospitality to bring a franchise to MVSU, opening in August 2021.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chick-fil-A had committed to not opening any new franchises until the pandemic was under control; however, MVSU is one of few grantees for 2021.
• Starting Fall 2019, MVSU established a partnership with FedEx Logistics for their first, and to date - the only initiative to open a satellite office on a university campus.  This initiative provides students with employment opportunities with FedEx Logistics while completing their undergraduate studies, with the potential for continuing their career choices with the company upon graduation.  In addition to receiving a very competitive wage, the students also received tuition assistance and full employee benefits. 
• Partnership with the Greenville Public School System to establish the MVSU/GPS Early College Program on our campus.  This program allows their high school students to begin taking college credit courses during their 9th-grade year while also completing the high school requirements on our campus.  MVSU is the first and currently only four-year public institution in the state to offer this arrangement.
• Partnership with Kimbrough Trucking 18-wheeler truck donation in support of the University’s athletics program.

These are critical examples of how the University has not been stagnant and has maintained steady progress in assuring our university’s sustainability, student success, and corporate outreach.  Join me in supporting Dr. Briggs’ continued service as the 8th President of Mississippi Valley State University; and indeed, together we will surely stay in Motion!