Higher Education Partnership Volume 2 Issue 5 December, 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 HEP Celebrates successful year Candidate Forum 1998 Elections: The Partnership's Role 1999 Board of Directors	Partnership Update 1998 ELECTIONS: The Partnership's Role The following articles offer an analysis of the role that the Higher Education Partnership played in the 1998 elections. As you will note, the high voter turnout of supporters of higher education impacted the results at the polls.
	Alabama’s University Supporters Take a Stand* Now that the election process has concluded, the analysis focuses on the actual vote counts. The Higher Education Partnership, representing the supporters of Alabama’s 15 public universities, has reviewed the results and is pleased to report that the university voice was heard. In the race for Alabama’s highest elected office, Lieutenant Governor Don Siegelman defeated Governor Fob James by more than 200,000 votes. However, it is interesting to note that Lieutenant Governor Siegelman carried the counties where the public university campuses are located by more than 110,000 votes. Over 55% of the lead came from counties with four-year higher education offerings. Clearly, people decided to go to the polls and express the importance of a university education. Alabama’s student, faculty, staff and alumni populations are to be commended for aggressively involving themselves in the 1998 election. Since over 50% of the total votes cast came from counties where universities are located, it is clear that their participation helped shape the outcome of the governor’s race. The university supporters that are represented by the Higher Education Partnership are to be commended for “Taking a Stand” and voting! Great Job! Universities Large and Small Go to the Polls Comparisons between voter turnouts in the 1994 and 1998 elections are being made by political analysts across the state. Therefore, the Higher Education Partnership would like to offer this statistical fact. In the counties where Alabama’s public four-year universities are located, a new voting public stepped forward. The student, faculty and staff of the Partnership rallied their peers to the polls. For example, Lee County saw an increase of over 7,000 voters; Tuscaloosa County had an increase of nearly 8,000 voters; and Calhoun County had an increase of over 4,000 voters. Individuals, in the 12 counties where the universities are located, took a stand to remind the state’s political leaders not to overlook the value of Alabama’s universities. Institutions of higher learning have been described by reputable organizations like the Southern Regional Education Board as “Engines that Drive the American Economy.” Economic researchers at Jacksonville State University, in a survey conducted in the early 90’s, learned that a one dollar investment in its public universities, by the State of Alabama, produces a return of 6.40 dollars in taxes during the working life of the graduate. On November 3, the university supporters spoke loudly! We must improve our public university funding, so we can get our economy moving. We cannot fund institutions at 60% of the regional average and expect the state to move forward. Yes, voters in university counties have spoken. However, voters across the state sent the same message. Now, these same voters are encouraged to continue to keep spreading the word. Let all of your elected officials hear the call for improved university funding. For information on how to send the message, call the Partnership at 334/832-9911.	University Constituents Hold True to Their Promise* Based on the university communities strong showing during the 1998 election season, it is clear that Alabama’s political leadership must recognize their voice. Congratulations to every person who met the challenge and considered the university issues before voting. How significant was the turnout in the county where universities are headquartered? In the twelve counties where universities are located: 1) all counties had an increase in voter turnout between 1994 and 1998. 2) the smallest percentage increase in voter turnout was 4% and the largest was 26%. 3) eight of the counties had an increase of 9% or greater. The Higher Education Partnership is excited to report these numbers because they show that university constituents held true to their promise. They did not just register voters or host rallies. They went to the polls. The most exciting aspect of the 1998 turnout is that the university voice has even greater potential. You might say this is just the “tip of the iceberg!”       *The above articles were released as Letters to the Editor of the major statewide newspapers.
	P. O. Box 761, Montgomery, AL 36101-0761334-832-9911Fax 334-832-9995