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°ä°¿±·°Õ´¡°ä°Õ:ÌýCaron Blanton

Joint statement from the institutional executive officers of Ó£»¨µ¼º½â€™s eight public universities

Ó£»¨µ¼º½â€™s public universities respect the NCAA’s position as it relates to the Ó£»¨µ¼º½ of Ó£»¨µ¼º½â€™s flag.

Several years ago, our universities recognized that the Ó£»¨µ¼º½ 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 Ó£»¨µ¼º½ 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, Ó£»¨µ¼º½ 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 Ó£»¨µ¼º½, 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 Ó£»¨µ¼º½â€™s state flag unites Ó£»¨µ¼º½ans, rather than divides us.

President Felicia M. Nave, Ph.D.

Alcorn Ó£»¨µ¼º½ University

President William LaForge, J.D.

Delta Ó£»¨µ¼º½ University

Interim President Thomas K. Hudson, J.D.

Jackson Ó£»¨µ¼º½ University

President Mark E. Keenum, Ph.D.

Ó£»¨µ¼º½ Ó£»¨µ¼º½ University

President Nora Roberts Miller, M.B.A.

Ó£»¨µ¼º½ University for Women

President Jerryl Briggs, Sr., Ph.D.

Ó£»¨µ¼º½ Valley Ó£»¨µ¼º½ University

Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce, Ed.D.

University of Ó£»¨µ¼º½

President Rodney D. Bennett, Ed.D.

University of Southern Ó£»¨µ¼º½