Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 2/16/98
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple

STANDARD AND POOR'S RAISES SLU BOND RATING
     HAMMOND  --Standard & Poor's, one of the nation's most prestigous bond rating
agencies, has raised Southeastern Louisiana University's bond rating from "triple-'B'" to "triple-
'B'-plus."
     The BBB+ rating was assigned to Louisiana Board of State College and University's
revenue refunding bonds series 1998, issued for Southeastern.
     Christine T. Maxwell, S&P's director of Public Finance Ratings, said the rating reflects 
"improved state appropriations; an impressive management team which has implement a
comprehensive strategic plan; the university's location in a strong demographic area; and a low
debt burden."
     "I'm very happy that Southeastern's progress and quality, which has been the result of so
much hard work, has been confirmed by this improved bond rating, granted by an independent
agency" said Southeastern President Sally Clausen.
     Clausen, Vice President for Administration and Finance Stephen Smith and Auxiliary
Services Director Nick Bruno, along with investment bankers and bond attorneys, met with
Maxwell and fellow S&P Director Lisa Danzig in New York in early January to promote
Southeastern's improvements and to state the case for a better rating. Bruno said the1998 bond
series will refund a 1964 bond series and pave the way for finanancing new facilities. The 1964
                                 (MORE) 

SLU BOND RATING -- Add One
 bonds funded the construction of two residence halls, an addition to the university cafeteria, the
War Memorial Student Union and the Vera H. Thomasson Health Center, Bruno said. 
     "We're well satisfied with the rating," he said. "It means that the bond market considers
the university to be more credit-worthy and stable, and that it recognizes that Southeastern has 
been financially successful and is well managed." 
     In fact, Standard & Poor's praised Southeastern's leadership, stating that the university is
"managed by an experience professional team which has solidified a cohesive plan to increase
both public and private funding, increase its name recognition and be more competitive.  With 
the support of the faculty and staff, the president and her cabinet have begun to bring change to
SLU."
     Standard & Poor's also said that the bond market outlook for Southeastern is "stable" and
reflects "expectation of increasing state funding, enrollment growth and continued positive
financial operations." 
                                 - SLU -
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