Southeastern NEWS

                                                    Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date:   6/25/99
      Contact:                             Tim Ardillo 1

SOUTHEASTERN GETS $5.5 MILLION  FROM  LEGISLATURE
  HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University President Sally Clausen announced today
(June 25) that the university will received $5.5 million in additional funding as a result of the
recent Louisiana legislative session which ended June 21.  
  "Governor Mike Foster committed to give Southeastern $2.4 million in additional dollars
when he visited our campus in April. Our legislative delegation and community leaders worked
together to secure another $2 million. Included in these funds is $750,000 for faculty salaries
which represents about a three percent increase," Clausen said.
  The additional money given to Southeastern represents 24 percent of the total new
discretionary dollars given to all of higher education. Clausen said, "This disproportionate share
on Southeastern's behalf is significant. It means that board members and other state leaders have
begun to make up for past years' inequity when Southeastern did not receive its fair share. It will
take several more years of such funding before Southeastern has truly caught up with its peer
institutions."
  "Without the efforts of our legislative delegation led by Sen. John Hainkel of New Orleans and
the Hammond and north shore communities led by Duane Shafer, our message would not have
been as strong," Clausen said. "I want to thank them personally for making such an impact in
Baton Rouge. Their level of support was irreplaceable in helping to change people's attitudes. As
a result, our students will have a direct, positive impact."
  Much of the additional money will be spent on mandated items such as scientific and library
enhancement, vocational rehabilitation services, faculty salary increases and civil service salary
increases.  In addition, according to Clausen, new expenditures will include new faculty,
technology upgrades and preparation and rent to open the new St. Tammany instructional
facility.
  "While we are extraordinarily appreciative of the additional funding, we must first address
numerous mandatory costs to meet accreditation requirements, provide cutting-edge technology,
and to ensure competitive faculty salaries. Once the budget has been analyzed, we will be able to
investigate salary increases for staff on campus," Clausen said. "Hopefully, we will be able to
reward everyone at Southeastern who has been dedicated to the university's overall success!"
  
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