The University’s Faculty Senate initiated a faculty letter-writing program last week in a grassroots effort to combat the ongoing budget crisis.
The campaign, which kicked off Oct. 4, is asking each faculty member to write at least two letters — one to the legislator from their individual district and one to the chair of the Louisiana House or the Louisiana Senate Education Committee.
Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope said sample letters were distributed at the recent Faculty Senate meeting and also posted to the Faculty Senate website.
“There are many reasons why this is effective,” Cope said. “Attention on the crisis of higher education has been focused on the cities in which universities are located, but people live and have connections in all parts.”
The goal is to increase mail flow to senators and representatives, to extend the range of letter-writing and to highlight the fact that the University “belongs to everybody, and the faculty is concerned,” Cope said.
Cope also recognized the state is responsive to quantity, but few letters have been sent.
Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, said he received fewer than 10 letters and e-mails from the University’s faculty and students about cuts in funding.
“The letters to me amount to preaching to the choir,” Claitor said. “However, I am collecting them and intend to share with other legislators and the Governor’s Office, as appropriate.”
Claitor said there is no “best way” to communicate concern,  but letters and e-mails are good. He said letters to state-wide newspapers and the Governor’s Office are also effective.
“Appearances at the Capitol by those affected and other organized events bring attention to the matter as well,” Claitor added. “It needs to be a multifaced campaign that alerts government that LSU is important to voters.”
Cope said the faculty may only be a small set of people but has the potential to make an impact as voters and taxpayers, referring to them as a “force to be reckoned with.”
“The problem we face is that the Legislature seems to underestimate the impact higher education has on all citizens,” he said. “But in this case, they are in jeopardy if they don’t respond.”
The state government is losing legitimacy for not having the University’s best interest at heart, Cope said.
“The governor is not behaving in a way that makes him a presidential hopeful,” he said. “He is demonstrating he is barely qualified to work in the dog shelter, let alone run the country.”
But the faculty is not the only group speaking out.
Cope commended the student body for its involvement, noting the success of the “jazz funeral” procession Thursday, and he said the faculty “hopes the momentum will continue and
produce a greater outpour.”
“Students are citizens as well as taxpayers and voters,” he said. “I think students could have a double impact.”
 
 
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Contact Sydni Dunn at
[email protected]
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Contact your Legislator
Gov. Bobby Jindal:
225-342-7015
Louisiana State Superintendent
of Education Paul Pastorek:
225-342-3602
Sen. Dan Claitor:
225-342-2040
EBR Mayor-President Kip Holden:
225-389-5203