4th Message from Interim President Walker

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I am writing to ask each of you to call the Governor's Hotline at
1-800-591-4217, to urge that he  consider a proposal from the presidents
and chancellors of Alabama's public universities.  We have worked
together to develop this proposal to achieve fairness in proration, and
it represents positions which we strongly support.  The proposal, the
text of which follows, is fair, will help protect higher education
salaries, and provides for equal treatment of K-12 and higher education.


Proposal to Achieve Fairness
During Periods of Proration


Submitted by:
The Presidents and Chancellors
of Alabama's Public Universities


Principle:    Proration should be applied equally to K-12 and higher
education.       


Faculty and staff at all levels, K-12 through university, are
the single most important element of public education.  Each faculty and
staff member deserves adequate compensation and fringe benefits.  During
periods of economic difficulty each deserves fair treatment and
protection.  Therefore, it is the position of Alabama's University
Presidents and Chancellors that the salaries of the faculty and staff of
Alabama's public universities should be exempt, along with the salaries
of their K-12 counterparts, from the hardship of proration.

Proration should be applied equally to K-12 and higher
education.  The percentage of appropriations for K-12 from the
Foundation Program and categorical aid programs for items other than the
salaries mentioned in number one shall also be applied to higher
education in determining the dollars subject to proration in both areas.
The proration percentage shall be applied equally to both areas.
Although state appropriations for higher education are not sufficient to
cover salaries in higher education, in the interest of fairness and
compromise, higher education will accept the same percentage to be
prorated as K-12. 
For example, if the salaries for K-12 mentioned above comprise
70% of their appropriated dollars, then the other 30% of their
appropriated dollars would be subject to proration.  In the same manner,
30% of the appropriation for higher education would be subject to
proration.  The declared proration percentage would apply to this 30%
for both K-12 and higher education.


Any revenue improvements for 2000-2001 over current projections
will be shared on a ratio of two-thirds for K-12 and one-third for
higher education. 
The decisions made in Montgomery over the coming days and weeks will
affect Auburn for some time to come.  I believe the weight of our input
can and will make a positive difference, and I again ask that you call
the Governor to register your support for this proposal for fairness in
proration.

                    William F. Walker
                    Interim President