A lack of diversity means big trouble in academia.

The Clarion-Ledger reports.

Bryant criticized for latest College Board appointees

Black legislative and higher education leaders are protesting Gov. Phil Bryant’s appointees to the state College Board, saying they lack diversity and representation of historically black public universities.

The protest came shortly before a Senate committee on Thursday passed the last three of Bryant’s four new appointees – including one African American – to the full Senate for ratification. It also comes as the College Board is under fire for the ouster of Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones.

“Gov. Bryant’s College Board appointments damage higher education and disrespect Alcorn, Mississippi Valley and Jackson State universities,” said Sen. Kenny Wayne Jones, D-Canton, chair of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus. “For the first time in 50 years, these state institutions will not have a voice on the IHL board.”

The Black Caucus and the Mississippi Coalition on Black Higher Education in a press conference at the Capitol on Thursday called for Bryant to reconsider his appointments. Jones said the caucus will vote against Bryant’s appointments in the Senate, which must ratify them with a majority vote. The caucus has 12 members in the 52-member Senate.