The Gertrude C. Ford Foundation has announced that it intends to rescind a $20 million grant if Dan Jones isn’t reinstated as chancellor of The University of Mississippi.
The money was donated to the university last October to fund the construction of a new 200,000-square-foot science facility on campus between University Avenue and All American Drive.
Anthony T. Papa, president of the Jackson-based foundation, told The Daily Mississippian on Monday that Jones was “the sole reason” for the donation, and if he was no longer chancellor of the university, the foundation would withdraw its grant.
“No one else was involved with (the grant),” Papa explained. “Just us and (Jones).”
The 2014 fall semester began with 23,096 students on all UM campuses, the largest enrollment in the state.
Charles Hussey, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, said the classroom space that could be provided by another science building would be critical to adjusting to rapid enrollment growth.
“Our current facilities for undergraduate chemistry and biology education are full; they’re overflowing,” Hussey said. “Really good, bright, capable students keep coming, and we want to be able to accommodate them.”
The foundation has previously contributed $25 million for the 88,000-square-foot Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on campus.
The projected cost for the new science building was around $100 million, and university leaders had hoped to see its completion by fall 2018.
“If we don’t get that new building, it will truly be a tragic situation,” Hussey said.
