The Economic Impact of Mississippi Valley State University on the Local Economy, 1992-93

This study used an American Council on Education model to determine the economic impact of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) on the local economy. Data were gathered from university fiscal records and questionnaires disseminated among three university constituent groups: faculty and staff, students, and alumni. Each group was asked to report their monthly expenditures in specific categories, to report their business or personal visitors at the university, and to estimate and report the expenditures of these visitors. Of the 430 university employees surveyed, 187 responded; 7 percent of the student population (total 2,092) responded, and 85 alumni responded. Results showed that faculty and staff spend an average of $899 each month for six categories of expenses: household utilities, automobile maintenance, recreation, medial, food and beverages, and personal supplies. Students spend an average of $258 per month for car care, recreation, medical, food and drink, and personal supplies. Alumni reported a non-business expenditure of $262 when visiting for an average of 2 days. With this data the study estimated the average annual expenditure for each local constituent. Findings indicated that MVSU contributed $35 million to the local economy through direct and indirect expenditures during 1992-93: that university expenditures were $24 million, faculty and staff $5 million, students $5 million, and visitors $1 million. An appendix contains copies of study questionnaires. (JB)