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Southern University
Alumni Federation
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Treat your special someone to Martha's Bistro this Valentine's Day!
Open until 8 pm, Sunday, Feb. 14!
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Michelle McCalope
1988 alumna, Mass Communications
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Award-winning journalist and author Michelle McCalope recently released her second motivational book to encourage others to follow their dreams.
[learn more]
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 "New Year, New You...New Calendar!"
Start your year off right with the 75th Anniversary Calendar from the Alumni Federation.
Click [here] to get your piece of history, today!
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Dear Southernites:
D�j� vu! By now you have read the two letters from President-Chancellor Ray Belton regarding the state's $1.9 billion budget shortfall and the projected $800 million shortfall for the current fiscal year. Dr. Belton explained that he and other education leaders met with our new governor and were advised that based on current budget projections, higher education may be cut $131 million before June 30th, unless new revenue is generated this fiscal year. As a result, the Southern University System may be cut by as much as $8 million within the next six months. Sound familiar? Familiar, but hopefully different.
Louisiana's new governor has only been in office 18 days, which means he did not create this mess. However, he has proposed solutions to the state for generating revenue to avoid these cuts. See his proposal at www.gov.louisiana.gov. On February 15th, the Louisiana Legislature will begin a Special Session. Governor Edwards absolutely does not want to cut higher education's budget. For two years, I listened to him campaign on Louisiana investing more in higher education, not less. And, frankly, given that higher education has been cut 53% over the last 8 years, there is nothing left for universities to cut. That means it is up to the Louisiana Legislature and the Governor to find solutions to this budgetary crisis. They truly have a tough job ahead of them.
Immediate solutions are desperately needed this Special Session, but there is a bigger issue. Why does higher education have to experience the uncertainty of budget cuts every year? That is the deeper, structural issue that our new state leaders will need to address in the General Session beginning March 14th. So, what can Southern alumni and friends do? I'm glad you asked.
First, if you are not a member of the Alumni Federation, please join at www.sualumni.org. If you are a member, become a Life Member. If you are a Life Member, enhance your membership to Ruby, Sapphire or Diamond Life Membership and display your pins on social media using #postyourpins. Second, please contact the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Taylor Barras, barrast@legis.la.gov, the President of the Senate, John Alario, alarioj@legis.la.gov, and your local legislators to let them know you support higher education and the Governor's revenue measures. You can find contact information for all legislators at www.legis.la.gov. Finally, and very importantly, please do as Dr. Belton suggested in his letter yesterday -- contribute to Southern through the SU Foundation at http://foundation.sus.edu/give/. Southern needs our advocacy through the Federation, and our contributions through the Foundation, to not only survive these financial crises, but to emerge a stronger institution amidst these challenges.
On Wednesday, the Federation and its fastest growing chapter in the country, the SU Alumni Home Chapter, will host a reception with several of the state's top leaders. In addition to the many Cabinet members being honored, we have spoken to several legislators and city leaders who plan to attend as well. We are expecting a sold-out crowd. The reception will be a perfect opportunity to share more about this great University.
Fighting for Southern!
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| | President Belton sharing budget challenges with Foundation Board |
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| | President Castille with Texas Regional Director and Houston Chapter President, Tracey Taylor Jarrell_ and Texas Student Recruiter, Vikki Berry, at Houston Alumni Gala |
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Preston
Preston J. Castille, Jr., JD
National President
HBCU Alumni Coalition President
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| | click image for more information |
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