The 2003 regular Alabama Legislative session is scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 4, and many UA faculty and staff will be watching Alabama's new Governor Bob Riley and Legislative activities closely. Higher education faculty, staff and students know that actively advocating for funding fairness and security makes a difference. Alabama Legislators and other politicians know that higher ed votes and advocacy have strengthened higher ed's voice in the state's political process.
According to figures recently released by the Higher Education Partnership (HEP), voting by those connected to Alabama's institutions of higher ed counts. Those votes send a message. Higher ed advocates went to the polls in the Nov. 5, 2002, general election. More than HALF of the statewide votes in the governor's race -- 51.8 percent -- came from university counties. This figure surpasses the 1998 turnout.
The figures show that in the 1998 general election, votes cast in university counties accounted for 48.6 percent of the votes cast statewide. More than 373,000 votes were cast in university counties in the 2002 primary elections. Those made up 47.5 percent of all votes cast in June. Advocacy sends a voice that is heard.
Influence also counts, and those who wish to advocate for higher ed in the political process can wield influence in several ways. One way is participation in Higher Education Day in Montgomery. Plan to attend and encourage other faculty, staff, students and alumni to attend: March 13, at the State House steps. A free barbecue lunch and a Job Fair will follow the rally. The theme is "Courageous Solutions." Watch for more details.
Another way is to join HEP, Alabama's advocacy group for the state's universities, and UAS PAC, a means of supporting state leaders who have a genuine concern for the needs of higher education. To get more information on these organizations or to join, go to http://governmentrelations.ua.edu/.
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