Alabama State University News March 6, 2014 ASU Representatives Speak to House Education Budget Committee State Rep. John Knight was one of two ASU representatives who spoke before the House Education Budget Committee today regarding a proposed cut to ASU's state funding. Knight, who also is executive vice president and chief operating officer at ASU, said a $10.8 million cut to the University is unfair, unsustainable and should never have happened. "I believe this Legislature is still committed to fairness and equity in public education, so the cut to ASU cannot stand," Knight said. "ASU is in my district; I represent ASU. I can tell you that ASU has done some phenomenal things, our work continues and we are not going away. We entreat the committee to have greater sensibility and greater compassion than the Senate to fully fund ASU, so that the University can continue its great work in this state." Darrick Long, vice president of ASU's Student Government Association, joined Knight in speaking before the Committee. "The Student Government Association and the students that we represent are upset about the proposed cuts and question the validity of those cuts," Long said. "We don't want ASU to be what could be called a modern social experiment that mirrors what happened during the 1950s and 60s when segments of society and certain institutions were treated unfairly by those in positions of power... Quite simply, we just want to be treated fairly." Today's remarks by Knight and Long come on the eve of "ASU Day" at the Capitol. University officials have called on the Hornet Nation to stand together at the Capitol and the State House on Thursday, March 6 to let state senators and representatives know why they should support ASU. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are encouraged to come out to speak with senators and representatives about the impact of ASU on the state of Alabama and the River Region. Danielle M. Kennedy, vice president for University Relations, said this is an opportunity for those who love and support ASU to make their voices heard by those who are making decisions about funding that is critical to the financial well-being of the institution. "We need as many members of the Hornet Nation as possible to join us at the State House to meet with legislators and to rally in support of Alabama State University," Kennedy said. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.