Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           University Relations Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 5/4/98
      Contact:                           Carol Dotson   125

SLU PRESIDENT AND FRESHMAN CHANGE PLACES FOR A DAY
     HAMMOND, LA -- Southeastern Louisiana University freshman Brandon Leonard of
Patterson, La., Monday turned over his keys, meal card and books to SLU president Sally
Clausen and took over her office.  No, it wasn't a violent student coup, but the "Big Switch," a
fund-raiser that lets a lucky student take over as president for a day while the university president
becomes a student. Both get to see how the other lives.
     Students buy $1 raffle tickets for a chance to be president-for-a-day. The proceeds from
the Big Switch, which is sponsored by the Southeastern Student Foundation, go toward
scholarships. This year's winner really wanted to win -- he bought 61 tickets, half out of his own
pocket and half through donations. Ironically, Leonard said the winning ticket was the first one
he purchased. 
     Leonard and Clausen are both graduates of Centerville High School, although, as Leonard
pointed out, he wasn't born when Clausen graduated. The temporary president's schedule
included meetings with the vice-president for finance, the police chief, the registrar, the director
of facility planning and a development officer. 
     Clausen had to do what Leonard normally does in a regular school day. She attended his
classes, worked at his work/study job in the Campus Activities Board office and dutifully tuned
into his favorite soap opera, "Guiding Light," so that he would not miss an episode. Leonard's
fellow soap fans, who were gathered in his dormitory lobby, helpfully filled Clausen in on the
plotline.
     Following his day as president, Leonard said his short term was interesting and
informative. "My favorite meeting was with the Dean's Council," said Leonard. "I had a chance
to meet all the deans and after talking with them, I realize that they have the students best
interests at heart."  
                                                      
 -SLU-
             
                This press release is available on the World Wide Web at
www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp98.htm