SPECIAL REPORT INSIDE
THE
Daily
MISSISSIPPIAN theDMonline.com
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Volume 111, No. 28
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency set to expire ISABELLE FROST ASHLYNN PAYNE
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The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is scheduled to end on May 11, and the federal government will shift its response to the COVID-19 pandemic out of the emergency phase that was im-
plemented in March 2020 just days after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. On April 11, President Joe Biden signed H.J. Res. 7, a resolution that will officially end the state of national emergency due to the pandemic — even though a Statement of Administration Policy made by the Executive Office of the President in January
advised against this decision. “An abrupt end to the emergency declarations would create wide-ranging chaos and uncertainty throughout the health care system — for states, hospitals, doctors’ offices and, most importantly, for tens of millions of Americans,” the statement said. When a public health emergency was in effect, the gov-
ernment provided extra funds to states to ensure access to the Medicaid program. Consequently, a hurried end to the public health emergency could cause many Americans to lose their health insurance. The office of the president also expressed concern over immigration policies at the southwest border abruptly changing when the pub-
lic health emergency ends. “Congress will effectively be requiring the administration to allow thousands of migrants per day into the country immediately without the necessary policies in place,” the office of the president said. Although there are tangible drawbacks to ending the
SEE COVID-19 PAGE 2
UM, Mississippi universities increase tuition (again) K HOGAN
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GRAPHIC: SEDLEY NORMAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Tuition at Ole Miss is increasing once again, up by $180 for in-state students and $528 for out-of-state students for the 2023-2024 school year. With five out of eight Missisisppi public universities increasing tuition, Mississippi students are faced with more financial struggles and ballooning debt. The rise in tuition isn’t something that only affects residential Mississippi students: the increase is also impacting those from out of state as well. After the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees approved tuition for the upcoming school year, in-state tuition will increase by an average of $169.
Out-of-state tuition will go up by an average $342. This means that Ole Miss is below the average increase for in-state students among universities upping tuition this year and above the average for out-of-state students. Steven Holley, vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Mississippi, explained that increased tuition is necessary to provide quality education to students. “We try to balance a minimal amount of cost increases that goes into balance with what we do here to provide education,” Holley said. “We’re not looking to do more of something because we can, it’s the bare minimum
SEE TUITION PAGE 3
Two UM drag performers refuse to back down
HAL FOX
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For UM pre-med student, non-binary person and drag queen Jaquavious Lee, drag is an expression of love. “Drag is essentially love. It’s all about love. Outside of drag, I am easily overlooked, because I don’t have a really big personality,” Lee said. “When I’m in drag, it’s one of the few things I can control, so let me control it.” Many are trying to
wrest that control from Lee (Lady Pluto while performing) and others like them, though. In recent years, conservatives have attempted to separate the “TQ” from LGBTQ, denying trans and non-binary people their personhood and gender identity. Now, Republican led state legislatures across the country are ramping up their anti-trans rhetoric, specifically targeting drag and gender affirming care for minors.
For many drag performers, this is not surprising: Drag challenges gender roles and the power dynamics that come with them, allowing performers to fully express themselves. Sarah “Sy” Heying is a non-binary person and drag king who performs under the name Ponyboi and recently obtained their Ph.D. in English literature from
SEE PERFORMERS PAGE 4
FILE PHOTO: HG BIGGS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Jaquavious Lee, who performs as Lady Pluto, applies a colorful eyeshadow look for the Oxford Pride Parade on the morning of April 30, 2022.