Mississippi House Bill HB157

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Universities and colleges; require to allow MS residents to register for classes before nonresident students.

Impact

This bill is expected to influence registration practices across higher educational institutions in Mississippi significantly. By structuring registration in such a way, it seeks to provide a clearer pathway for resident students, potentially increasing their access to higher education opportunities. It also notes that this change will necessitate the development of a new class registration system by the relevant educational boards to ensure compliance with the new law.

Summary

House Bill 157 is aimed at amending specific sections of the Mississippi Code, mandating the Mississippi Community College Board and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to prioritize course registration for students who are permanent residents of Mississippi. The intent is to ensure that local residents are given the first opportunity to register for classes, both online and in-person, for the upcoming academic terms. After all Mississippi residents have had their chance to enroll, the remaining spots will then be available to nonresident students.

Contention

While the bill aims to benefit Mississippi residents, there may be concerns regarding equality and access for nonresident students who also seek education in the state. Such restrictions might provoke discussions about fairness in education and could lead to potential pushback from institutions that favor more inclusive registration practices. Critics may argue that the bill imposes additional barriers on nonresident students who contribute to the diversity of the educational environment.