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34-471: The institution, which opened in 1950, was created by the Mississippi Legislature as Mississippi Vocational College . The legislation to form the institution was signed into law by Governor Thomas L. Bailey on April 5, 1946. On February 10, 1950, Governor Fielding L. Wright served as the main speaker at the opening ceremony. The legislature anticipated that legal segregation of public education

68-453: A bicameral legislature of the state, composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives , in which all lawmaking authority is vested. The constitution requires the legislature to convene in regular annual sessions, with most lasting for 90 days and sessions on every fourth year lasting for 125 days, though the legislature can extend their sessions with the approval of two-thirds of its members. The governor may also at their discretion call

102-417: A limited immunity from arrest during a legislative session and 15 days before or after a session except in cases of "treason, felony, theft, or breach of the peace". In the event of a vacancy in a legislative seat in between regular elections, the governor issues a writ of election to enable a contest to be held to fill the seat for the remainder of its term. The Constitution of Mississippi provides for

136-478: A total compensation of $ 40,000 to $ 50,000 per year from salary, per diem payments, and other reimbursements and payments, with several collecting around $ 70,000 per year. All legislators swear a state constitutionally-prescribed oath of office, which requires them to declare allegiance to the state and federal constitutions, pledge to be responsible in the exercise of their duties, and promise not to engage in vote trading . The constitution provides legislators with

170-425: A two-thirds vote of the membership of his or her chamber. Legislative proceedings are open to the public unless a closed session for secrecy is deemed necessary, and each house has the power to punish public observers for disorderly and disruptive behavior. Each house keeps an official journal to record its proceedings, including votes on bills. A bill may originate in either house, and be amended or rejected in

204-471: Is WVSD 91.7 FM. The station offers a variety of programming involving MVSU, current events, and music. 33°30′45″N 90°20′33″W  /  33.51256°N 90.342422°W  / 33.51256; -90.342422 Mississippi Legislature The Mississippi Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi . The bicameral Legislature is composed of the lower Mississippi House of Representatives , with 122 members, and

238-483: Is adjacent to Itta Bena . As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 1,182 people living in the CDP. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.5% Black, 4.0% White, 0.1% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.4% from some other race and 1.6% from two or more races. 0.9% were Hispanic or Latino of any race. MVSU includes faculty and staff apartments and other residential apartments. Dependent children living in these units are within

272-723: Is known as the "Mean Green Marching Machine" (also goes by the moniker of "The Mack Of The SWAC") and the "Satin Dolls" are the featured dance squad. The band holds the distinction of being the first African-American band to participate in the Tournament of Roses parade , which it achieved in 1965. MVSU's colors are forest green and white . Their nickname is the Delta Devils for men's teams and Devilettes for women's teams. MVSU sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (I-AA for football ) in

306-748: Is on a 450-acre (180 ha) tract of land adjacent to U.S. Highway 82 . It is in Mississippi Valley State census-designated place , in unincorporated Leflore County , in the Mississippi Delta region. It is 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Itta Bena . The university is about 5 miles (8.0 km) from Greenwood , about 50 miles (80 km) from Greenville , about 100-mile (160 km) north of Jackson , and about 120-mile (190 km) south of Memphis , Tennessee . MVSU includes faculty and staff apartments and other residential apartments. Dependent children living in these units are within

340-505: Is responsible for election of the state librarian. During instances of rebellion or foreign invasion, the legislature may suspend the writ of habeas corpus . The House of Representatives is empowered to impeach any state official with the agreement of two-thirds of its members and subject them to a trial in the Senate, which can remove an official from office with the agreement of two-thirds of its members. The legislature can pass amendments to

374-642: The Greenwood-Leflore School District . These apartments were formerly served by the Leflore County School District . Effective July 1, 2019 this district consolidated into the Greenwood-Leflore School District. Mississippi Valley State University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through the following entities: MVSU offers an honors program for high-achieving undergraduate students on campus. MVSU

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408-536: The Mississippi House of Representatives and 52 members of the Mississippi Senate . Members are elected to four-year terms to represent districts. Among the states, Mississippi has the 14th largest lower house and fifth largest upper house. House districts are drawn such that each encompasses about 24,000 people, while Senate districts are drawn such that each encompasses about 55,000 people. Candidates for

442-525: The Reconstruction era , the legislature met for biennial sessions. In 1890, constitutional revisions allowed the body to regularly convene only once every four years. In 1910, the legislature reverted to biennial meetings, and in 1968 it began meeting annually. In 1977, the state constitution was amended to require that legislative districts be apportioned equally in terms of population. The Mississippi Legislature has 174 elected members, with 122 members of

476-679: The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Famous alumni include NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice of the 1984 football team . In 2016, MVSU completed $ 17.5 million worth of renovations to the Harrison HPER Complex . The 87,042 square foot multi-purpose arena is home to MVSU men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball, commencement ceremonies, and other special events. The facility includes features such as fitness centers, an indoor walking track, and three technology HPER classrooms. MVSU's on-campus public radio station

510-465: The University of Southern Mississippi . State leaders hoped that founding separate institutions of higher learning for Mississippi's black population would reduce the pressure to integrate the state's premier universities. To attract the support of those who opposed any government action to provide higher education to black people, those proposing creation of M.V.C. used the term "vocational" to imply that

544-714: The upper Mississippi State Senate , with 52 members. Both representatives and senators serve four-year terms without term limits . The Legislature convenes at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson . From 1800 until 1833, the legislative body of the Mississippi Territory and the state of Mississippi was known as the "General Assembly". Thereafter, it was known as "the Legislature of the State of Mississippi". During

578-461: The House must be at least 21 years old, while candidates for the Senate must be at least 25 years old. Each house has the authority to judge the qualifications of its own members. The Mississippi Legislature is a citizen legislature ; most legislators have full-time occupations unrelated to their official roles. Members receive a base salary of $ 23,000 per year. As of April 2022, most legislators garnered

612-410: The Senate pro tempore . The presiding officers determine the leadership of legislative committees in their own houses. In the event of a tied vote in a joint session , the lieutenant governor is empowered to cast a tie-breaking vote. The constitution gives the state legislature the authority to determine rules of its own proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and expel a member with

646-512: The Senate and the Ways and Means Committee and Appropriations Committee in the House often exercise significant influence over legislation. Mississippi judges have usually deferred to the legislature on legal questions involving its internal decisions and operations; such things are not subject to regular judicial review . In 2011, 63% of the seats in the legislature had candidates with no significant opposition in upcoming elections. In 2023, that figure

680-440: The attendance of absent members. Each house elects their own officers. The House of Representatives is led by a speaker, who is elected among the preexisting membership in the House. The Senate is led by the lieutenant governor , who is popularly elected by voters in statewide elections and is ex officio president of the Senate. Second to these officers in their respective houses are the speaker pro tempore and president of

714-468: The choice. However, residents of Carroll County, Mississippi objected to having the institution located near their properties. After further study, the committee selected a site in Itta Bena . Whites of that town also objected to having a black institution nearby, so the final site chosen was away from the downtown area, and on land that was not good for cultivation. In 1964, Mississippi Vocational College

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748-705: The early 1970s, civil rights leaders continued to protest the inequalities in higher education opportunities offered to whites and blacks in Mississippi. In an effort to defuse some of the criticism, Gov. Bill Waller proposed changing the names of three black institutions from "colleges" to "universities". Thus, in 1974, the institution was renamed again, as Mississippi Valley State University . Following President White, Dr. Ernest A. Boykins, Jr. took office in July 1971. Dr. Joe L. Boyer became MVSU's third president in January 1982 and

782-452: The institution's main purpose would be to train black people to take on blue-collar jobs. The site selection committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning had originally selected as a site the former Greenwood Army Air Base, which had many facilities ready for use and thus would have been a very cost-effective choice. The Greenwood Commonwealth celebrated

816-471: The last three days of a session. Most bills are passed by a simple majority vote of each chamber. Any revenue bill or measure that alters the assessment of taxable property requires the approval of three-fifths of legislators present and voting. Every bill passed by both houses is signed by the presiding officers of each house. The Mississippi Legislature has the power to write state laws and craft appropriations to fund state government. All bills passed by

850-495: The legislature become law unless vetoed by the governor, though the body may override the veto with the approval two-thirds of the members of each House. The legislature has the power to convene hearings to investigate any matter it desires. Unable to compel testimony from any individual in such instances, or prosecute crimes, or enforce any other desired outcome, such hearings are usually held only to gather information to aid in policy-making and budgeting decisions. The legislature

884-415: The legislature into a special session to a consider a specific issue of the governor's choosing. Since 1903, the legislature has met in the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson . One house cannot adjourn its proceedings for over three days without the agreement of the other. A basic majority of one house's members constitutes a quorum to do business, though a smaller group can convene and vote to compel

918-412: The other, and must be read by its title on three different days in each house, unless two-thirds of the house vote to suspend the rules. The Mississippi Constitution prohibits amending a bill to change its original purpose. Bills amended in the second house, must return it to the first for a vote to accept amendments. All bills must be considered by a committee in each house. No bills can be introduced in

952-460: The state constitution with the approval of two-thirds of the members of each house, subject to ratification in a popular referendum. Bills typically have to be passed out of committee before being passed by the legislature. A chair of a committee can choose not to bring up the bill for a vote before the committee or a full house and thus let it expire. The chairs of the Finance Committee in

986-567: Was 85%. That year the Associated Press stated that this "raises questions about the ability of American voters to hold their elected representatives accountable." Mississippi Valley State (CDP), Mississippi Mississippi Valley State University is a census-designated place in Leflore County , Mississippi , United States. The population at the 2020 census was 805. It is the location of Mississippi Valley State University and

1020-826: Was accredited in 1968 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's and master's degrees. Activities include theater, special interest groups, orchestra, fraternities, sororities, and band. Students may work on the Delvian (yearbook) or the Delta Devil Gazette (student-run newspaper). Leadership opportunities are found in the Student Government Association (SGA) or other organizations such as English Club, Future Teachers of America, and Trades and Industries Club. Mississippi Valley State University's marching band

1054-548: Was followed by Dr. William W. Sutton in July 1988. Dr. Lester C. Newman became the fifth president of MVSU on July 1, 1998. Dr. Donna H. Oliver became MVSU's sixth president and first female president on January 1, 2009. On November 6, 2013, Dr. William Bynum took office as MVSU's seventh president. In May 2017, Bynum departed MVSU to become president of Jackson State University . Dr. Jerryl Briggs, who served as executive vice president and chief operating officer in Bynum's administration,

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1088-561: Was in danger because there were increasing challenges to it through legal suits (in 1954 it was declared unconstitutional in the United States Supreme Court 's decision in Brown v. Board of Education ). It created this institution in the hopes that it would attract African-American applicants who might otherwise apply to Mississippi's premier whites-only institutions: the University of Mississippi , Mississippi State University , and

1122-611: Was named interim president of the university shortly afterwards. On October 19, 2017, Briggs was officially named as the university's eighth president. In a 1997 article in Innovative Higher Education , the journalist Dale Thorn describes MVSU's successful attempt to avoid a merger with another institution and to remain a separate entity. In 1998, the university renamed many of the buildings on campus, except for those named for white supremacist politicians Walter Sillers, Jr. , Fielding Wright , and J. H. White. The campus

1156-495: Was renamed Mississippi Valley State College . In February 1969, a nonviolent student boycott, which included eight hundred students, male and female, was organized to protest President James Herbert White's administration. The students demanded required courses in black history, more library purchases of works by black writers, remedial courses in English and Math, scheduling of prominent black speakers, and fewer curfew restrictions. In

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