I've received word now from a reliable source that the University of Southern Mississippi is eliminating the Religion B.A. and the Philosophy M.A. (though retaining, happily, the philosophy B.A.).  More seriously, six out of eleven department members received letters that their appointments were not being renewed after this coming academic year, including tenured members of the faculty.  (Let me note that one of the very best graduate students I taught at Texas during my thirteen years there was a graduate of the philosophy program at Southern Mississippi, where he got very good preparation.) 

The decision can be appealed.  Now would be a good time for alumni and those familiar with the program to contribute their thoughts on its value (click on "what the alumni say").