Higher Education Partnership Volume 2 Issue 3 April-May,1998 In support of and working together with Alabama A & M Univ Alabama State Univ Univ of Alabama Univ of Ala at Bham Univ of Ala at Huntsville Auburn Univ Auburn Univ at Mtgy Jacksonville State Univ Univ.of Montevallo Univ of North Alabama Univ of South Alabama Troy State Univ Troy State Univ Dothan Troy State Univ Mtgy Univ of West Alabama  Inside this Issue Petition Drive a Success Restructured Board of Directors Holds First Meeting SGA Leadership Honored Call to Action: Legislative Session Ends Let's Improve the Economy	Partnership Update CALL TO ACTION Legislative Session Comes to an End (reprint of past session press release)
	With the passage of the Education Trust Fund Budget and the Education Bond Issue by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Higher Education Partnership offers the following reactions: 1. The overall outcome of the budget and bond process was GOOD NEWS for the state’s universities. While the goal of an 8% increase in 1998 was not achieved, progress was made. The approximately $40 million of new money in the university portion of the budget represents close to a 5% increase. Plus, the $100 million of bond money will assist with much needed capital projects. In addition, the institutions were able to keep their retirement savings. 2. Although the Partnership is pleased with the progress made toward improved university funding, we must do better in the years ahead. In a year when $178 million dollars of new revenue was available, the BAD NEWS is that higher education still fell approximately 6% short of the 33% share of the education budget that was needed. It is disturbing that even though the Senate added $11.6 million of additional money to the universities’ funding, the Education Budget Conference Committee refused to leave the entire amount in the budget. The elimination of the majority of the additional money that the Senate appropriated to the institutions means that the funds are not available for all of the universities to give the 8.5% pay raise. Yes, all university employees will get a much deserved raise in compensation; however, the funding was not provided for an 8.5% across the board raise. While any raise is appreciated, the legislative leadership must realize that Alabama’s university employees are still well below the regional average in salaries. In contrast, many of Alabama’s K-12 and post-secondary employees are above the regional average. The actions of the political leadership continue to illustrate the need for improving the legislative appreciation of the importance of the state’s universities. Universities must be treated with more respect! Back to Higher Education Partnership Update, April-May,1998 Front Page	3. The BETTER NEWS is that believers in Alabama’s universities have shown that they can and will impact the political process. In 1998, thousands of university supporters have illustrated their eagerness to change the way politicians think about the state’s higher education. For instance, through the Partnership, over 3,000 petitions were delivered to the Senate, a large Higher Education Rally was held in Montgomery and successful voter registration drives were conducted on the campuses. The Partnership provided a means and the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of higher education have taken advantage of the opportunities to Take a Stand! The level of political respect for the universities will continue to grow because the activity level of the Partnership members will continue to increase. A membership that will produce over 3,000 signatures in a few weeks is a force that will speak loudly during elections. The awakening of university supporters is the BEST NEWS of all during this legislative session.
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