The Select Committee on Higher Education was created for the purpose of making an overall study of public higher education in Mississippi and to determine what is needed to improve educational opportunities for Mississippi students. The progress report covers the issues concerning public higher education in Mississippi that the Select Committee considered and sets forth its opinions and recommendations. Areas discussed include: college student personnel, organization and administration of Mississippi Colleges and Universities, special programs related to higher education in Mississippi, faculty and planning considerations, and compliance with federal laws. Statistical tables contain data on Mississippi high school graduates attending a college or university between 1969-1973; fulltime enrollment in Mississippi colleges and universities 1969-1973; loss of Mississippi college graduates to other states; and some examples of academic program duplications on Mississippi college and university campuses. (Author/PG)