Postsecondary educational institutions; require to provide certain information to students upon declaration of a major.
By requiring such disclosures, HB872 aims to address the gap in information that students often face regarding their chosen fields of study. The systematic provision of this data is expected to assist students in making more informed choices about their educational and career trajectories. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Mississippi Community College Board will oversee the implementation of these requirements, ensuring that institutions provide the necessary information in a timely manner.
House Bill 872 mandates publicly funded postsecondary educational institutions in Mississippi to provide critical information to students at the time of declaring their majors. This information includes details such as the expected time to complete the degree program, the full financial cost associated with the program, the average salary for graduates in that field, and the number of job openings anticipated for professionals in the respective degree area. The intent of this bill is to enhance transparency and support informed decision-making for students in their educational paths.
While the bill appears beneficial by promoting transparency, some stakeholders may raise concerns about the implications for academic advising and the potential standardization of information across diverse fields of study. Questions may arise regarding how accurately universities can project job availability and salaries, particularly in rapidly changing job markets. Furthermore, there may be debate over the administrative burden placed on institutions to comply with these requirements while balancing educational quality.
The law stipulates that these provisions will take effect from July 1, 2022, establishing a new precedent for student engagement in the state’s higher education system. Institutions will need to adjust their reporting mechanisms to align with the requirements set forth by the bill, potentially prompting a reassessment of how academic programs communicate with prospective and current students.