Higher Ed Day
What is Higher Education Day?
A day set aside and proclaimed by the governor as Higher Education Day in Alabama.
A day for students, faculty, staff and other supporters to visit Montgomery and take part in a huge Higher Ed Day Rally that allows rally participants to voice their support for higher education.
With 2,000 plus attending the festivities each year, legislators and other policy makers have a real-life “visual” of the huge support coming from Alabama’s 15 public universities
In a relaxed setting, over a free barbeque lunch, rally participants have the opportunity to advocate the importance of more funding for higher education face to face with policy makers.
History of Higher Education Day:
The Partnership’s first rally was held on March 5, 1998. Even though this was not actually the first of the higher education rallies, it was the first hosted by the Partnership and the first in which students and faculty from each campus were invited.
The first rally was held in response to budget cuts to the Education Trust Fund of over 7% for Alabama’s public universities. The Partnership had formed a student organization called STARS (Student Teams Advocating Realistic Solutions), which encouraged students to be actively involved in the political process as a means of making a difference in the lives of Alabamians. Word got back to the Partnership leaders that the 1997 Governor’s administration thought it was silly for students to get involved in campaigns. Our response: Hold a Higher Education Day Rally and make our voices heard!
The theme for that first year was “Top Ten in Sports – Why Not in Funding.” Since that time, the themes have been chosen depending on the issues of the year and were as follows:
1999 – “From Ideas to Jobs”
2000 – “Higher Education and Business: A Combination That Works”
2001 -- “Funding that ‘Measures Up’ to the Competition!”
2002 – “Courageous Solutions: Tuition Fairness, Competitive Salaries, Economic Development.”
2003 -- “Tax Reform NOW”
2004 – “Universities: The Foundation of Alabama’s Future – Economic Development, Job Growth, Competitive Compensation.”
2005 – “The Year for Higher Education”
2006 – “150,000 Voting to Make a Difference in Alabama”
2007 – “Equitable Funding Opens Doors of Opportunity”
The day has become very well known to people all over the Capitol Complex. With bands playing enthusiastically, energetic speakers and a large crowd, the day has become a day which advocates of higher education in Alabama look forward to attending each year.