Reeves was the Republican nominee for the Nov. 5 governor’s election. He spent some time upstairs in the skyboxes chatting with several top university donors, many of whom are still excited about Glenn Boyce’s appointment. Boyce, who was not authorized to apply for the chancellor post and was given a late “backdoor interview” before being hired, is now facing criticism from university stakeholders. Reeves took a photo with Boyce, Trent Kelly (Republican Congressman) and Emily Boyce before the game ended. This photo has been shared online and started a conversation. Reeves, or the Democratic nominee Jim Hood will be the state’s next governor. In 2021, four new IHL board members will be appointed. Many university affiliates are focused on the governor’s race as there is growing controversy over the selection process of the University of Mississippi’s chancellor. In an interview this week, Chuck Ross, a history professor at the University of Mississippi who was also the former chair of the African American Studies Program, stated that it might be time for people in the state to put the IHL under more pressure by getting involved in politics. Many of the IHL board members are leaving because their terms have expired. These people will be replaced with the new governor. You can vote next month if you are concerned about the IHL process. This will allow you to make your voice heard during the first gubernatorial election debate in Hattiesburg. Mississippi Today asked both candidates to comment on the issue earlier this week and discuss their plans for selecting new IHL board members. The question was posed to both candidates: How would you choose who to appoint on the IHL board? What are your impressions of the size of these appointments in light of recent controversy at the University of Mississippi. Hood responded with a statement that he would have a nominating panel to review all applications for all appointments. They will include a variety of men and women. I will be seeking people with education administration and education experience for appointments to IHL.” The Reeves campaign responded by saying that the governor’s power to appoint is one of the main reasons Mississippians should vote for Tate Reeves. It extends all the way to top. Our U.S. senators were both appointed. This makes a huge difference in the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court. Jim Hood would make appointments Nancy Pelosi will love, but Donald Trump hates. Tate will appoint conservatives, and Hood will appoint libertarians.” Gov. Phil Bryant was the first Mississippi governor who appointed all 12 members to the IHL board. They are currently part of a transition in which their terms were reduced from twelve years to nine. In May 2021, the terms of four current board members – Hal Parker of Bolton as president, Shane Hooper from Tupelo, Vice President Ford Dye, Hal Parker of Bolton and Ann Hannaford Lamar, Senatobia, will expire. The terms of Tom Duff, Chip Morgan, J. Walt Starr, Alfred McNair Jr., and Chip Morgan of Leland will expire in May 2024. The 2027 term of Steven Cunningham, Jeanne Luckey, Bruce Martin, Gee Ogletree and Gee Luckey will see their terms expire. In years past, governors could only serve a four-year term while College Board members were limited to 12-year terms. Governors had the right to appoint four members of their board. The 1980s saw a change in the state Constitution that allowed governors to serve two terms. Bryant was able to appoint all 12 board members when the Constitution changed to allow them to serve nine years rather than twelve years terms. Hood or Reeves could theoretically also appoint all 12 board members. In 2021, the winner of Nov. 5 elections will appoint four board members. If the Nov. 5-winner wins a second term in 2023, that person will be able to appoint four additional board members in 2024. This person would continue to serve as governor until 2027 when four additional members will be added to the board. The governor could name four additional members in May 2027. They could serve until the Senate confirmation process during the January 2028 legislative session. The new governor could appoint four additional members during that session. These new members may not have been appointed by the previous governor several months ago. The Senate could confirm the appointments of the former governor or the ones made by the new governor. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.