Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 6/24/98
      Contact:                           Tim Ardillo   

SLU EXPECTS ADDITIONAL FUNDING
     HAMMOND --Southeastern Louisiana University is well on its way to receiving
additional state funds thanks to an all-out university/community effort.  SLU received word
today that the Board of Regents  Finance Committee allocated $2.7 million in additional
funding for Southeastern.  
      This is great news for our institution.  It means that we will be able to address many
of our critical needs as a result of the community s hard work and assistance,  said
Southeastern President Sally Clausen.
     Clausen thanked members of the community including the Hammond Chamber of
Commerce, Southeastern s Student Government Association, Alumni Association,  President s
Community Advisory Council, and  Faculty Senate.  
     Clausen also thanked the Governor, Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. E. Joseph
Savoie, Andre Coudrain and members of the Board of Regents for their commitment to
aggressively address Higher Education s funding inequity that has existed for the past 15
years.  However, Clausen points out that many needs still remain on the table.
      Because only $14 million was allocated for all of Higher Education, we were not able
to erase all existing disparities   other universities have needs too,  Clausen said.   However,
I am delighted to report that Southeastern has been recommended to receive a larger, more
balanced share of the pie and for that we are grateful.  It is definitely a step in the right
direction. 
     The University has discussed using the additional dollars to: 
          1. Hire and support new faculty positions in response to continued accreditation
          requirements, 
          2. Upgrade current computer systems, 
          3. Fund the mandated step increase for civil service employees,
          4. Annualize last year s merit increases for faculty and staff.  
      We ve made some significant progress in promoting Southeastern s critical financial
needs.  This year we got the ball rolling.  Next year, we ll be back again to try to move this
effort even further,  said Senator John Hainkel.  Hainkel and the entire Florida parish
delegation worked diligently for Southeastern during the past Legislative Session according to
Clausen.
     The Board of Regents will meet tomorrow to take a final vote on the Finance
Committee s recommendations.  The meeting will be held in Baton Rouge at 9:00 a.m.

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