On Wednesday, March 4th, Jackson State, Alcorn State and MS Valley State supporters cohesively stood on the steps of the Mississippi State Capitol for HBU Unity Day. HBU alumni along with members of the black caucus gathered in an effort to request additional financial support equal to that of other state funded universities in Mississippi. Representative Greggory Holloway, John Johnson of Mississippi Valley State, James Stubbs of Alcorn State University, Floyd Williams of Jackson State University and Kenny Wayne Jones President of the Black Caucus were all present for the press conference which entailed the fight for equal funding.
During the press conference alumni and other university supporters lobbied for financial support from the legislature. Some of the requests included:
Jackson State –2 million for its School of Public Health Service.
Alcorn State –9 million for faculty/staff on-campus housing.
MS Valley State–14 million for residence halls.
All schools are requesting a 5% pay increase for faculty and staff.
Members of the MS HBU Triangle say that this was a historical day for all of the institutions represented as well as for the state of Mississippi.