Priorities and perspective are funny things. They can become easily corrupted by emotion.

All across Mississippi, University of Mississippi supporters are up in arms over the state college board’s seemingly rash decision not to renew the contract of the school’s chancellor, Dan Jones.

Students and fans are protesting, social media sites are filled with rhetoric in support of the man.

The college board is unlikely to rethink their decision, despite having so many people up in arms over the issue and large donors suggesting they will pull donations over the matter.

Regardless of the outcome, Jones should be fine. If he’s as skilled as his supporters suggest, he can find another job and the university will continue to grow and flourish under another leader.

The matter, however, pales in comparison to two other unsolved matters across the state with far more serious consequences.

Federal, state and local authorities are working hard to resolve the case of Otis Byrd, whose body was found hanging from a tree near his home.

The question of whether his death was caused by Mr. Byrd’s own hands or someone else is not yet know, though investigators believe the preliminary autopsy report will provide the answer soon.

In North Mississippi, another set of family and friends still watch, wait and hope for answers to what is clearly a murder — the death of 19-year-old Jessica Chambers. The Courtland teen was found running from her burning car in early December with burns over 98 percent of her body. She died soon after.

We can only wish as much time and energy went into solving unsolved deaths across Mississippi as go toward football and school allegiances.