Higher Education Partnership Volume 2 Issue 5 Aug./Sept., 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 Membership Task Force Completes Workshops Communications Task Force STARS: Off to Great Start for 1998-99 Recruit a Member Contest Candidate Forum Letter from Membership Drive Chairman, Rep. Pete Turnham	Partnership Update   Letter from Rep. Pete Turnham Friends of Alabama’s Universities:
	The 1998 election is very important to the future of Alabama. Among the most significant issues that will be impacted by the outcome of the 1998 election is support for the state’s public universities.      Over the past few years, I have seen university funding take a severe tumble. In addition, the competitiveness for available tax dollars has steadily grown. No longer can we expect the legislature to support universities because we inform them of the many contributions that the institutions make to the economy of the state. In order to achieve the legislative support that our universities deserve, we must be organized. Therefore, I am encouraging you to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the Higher Education Partnership.      The purpose of this letter is to ask all university supporters to join the Partnership and to recruit others to join. We need every member to recruit additional faculty, staff, students and alumni to join the Partnership. By coming together, we will combine our individual voices and create a powerful university voice in Montgomery.	We can offset many political problems by working together. As an advocacy organization, the Higher Education Partnership provides university supporters a place to “Take a Stand.” The Partnership is working to increase university respect from the Statehouse to the country store. This is why we are encouraging you to help us achieve a large membership base.      All campuses are challenged to sign-up 25% of their full-time faculty and staff between now and the end of the 1999 spring quarter/semester. We need your help.      As a state legislator for many years, I know what motivates many of our political players. A well-informed, grassroots constituency representing the universities is important.   Thank you for the leadership.   Pete Turnham Alabama House of Representatives and Chairman of the HEP Membership Drive
	P. O. Box 761, Montgomery, AL 36101-0761334-832-9911Fax 334-832-9995