Approximately 2000 students, faculty, staff and alumni, from Alabama’s 13 pubic universities, gathered on the front steps of the Alabama State House on April 7th to make the point that Alabama’s public universities need more funding. In a quote to the Montgomery Advertiser, Gordon Stone said, “Universities currently receive 27 percent of the Education Trust Fund and the Partnership is urging lawmakers to raise that to 33 percent, as it had been in previous years.”

The other point was to remind legislators of the impact that Alabama’s universities have on the state. To bring this point home, the theme of this year’s Higher Education Day was “Universities Create Opportunities.” Governor Robert Bentley, the first speaker of the day, reiterated this point when he said, “We want to continue to help higher education as it is a part of economic development.”

The rally began with a parade that ended at the State House. The Alabama State University band and The University of West Alabama band provided music between each speaker. Key presenters included Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, House Speaker Mike Hubbard, Representative Jay Love, Senator Vivian Figures, Senator Del Marsh and Senator Jabo Waggoner. Other speakers were Dr. Richard Holland, Council of Presidents; Dr. Lori Owens, Chair, Higher Education Partnership; and Mr. Curt Sasser, SGA President, Auburn University.

The rally was very effective in letting our legislators know the needs and the importance of higher education in Alabama.