Message from Interim President Walker

["President's Office" <auemail@groupwise1.duc.auburn.edu>]

May 4, 2001

Dear Members of the Auburn Community:

	I want to update you on the negotiations regarding the FY02 ETF
Budget, proration of Auburn University's current year budget, and the
status of our continuing legal efforts to protect Auburn University from
unequal budget cuts. With only six legislative days left in the 2001
Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature that ends May 21, we continue
to see political games and irresponsible proposals to solve the fiscal
problems of the Education Trust Fund (ETF).  

	The FY02 ETF budget is poised for floor action in the Senate
next week. The Finance and Taxation-Education Committee added
approximately $9 million to the House-engrossed bill.  We are working
with university presidents and the Senate leadership to ensure that
higher education's share of that money is distributed according to the
method that four-year presidents agreed upon. The legislators have
scheduled three legislative days next week in an effort to move the ETF
budget, along with many other languishing bills, as the session draws to
a close.

                 During this past week, I have participated in numerous
discussions via conference calls and meetings with other university
presidents and state officials.  Again, a bond issue was proposed as the
solution to proration and again the university presidents rejected it
because that measure is simply a temporary fix with a long-term debt for
a revenue shortfall in this fiscal year.  A bond issue, which represents
one-time money, will impose an even greater demand on an already
over-committed budget.

                 Despite these many hours of discussions, Governor
Siegelman has not proposed a viable solution, and the Alabama
Legislature has yet to address the proration issue, even though a
revised FY01 budget bill that reduces all segments across the board
equally has been introduced. I will continue to pursue equal treatment
for Auburn University and ask for your efforts to make certain that
state legislators and Governor Siegelman approach budget cuts equally.
	
	On Wednesday of this week, the Alabama Supreme Court announced
that it will not rule on proration until after the current legislative
session adjourns.  The Supreme Court issued an order that consolidates
litigation regarding proration of the ETF, which should expedite the
case. The Court also set up a schedule for all parties to submit their
legal briefs, setting an absolute deadline of May 29 for all filings. 
We are pleased with the schedule established by the Alabama Supreme
Court and will continue to pursue our efforts to prevent discriminatory
cuts in education funding.

                Your participation in the political process provides
valuable and persuasive input to Alabama's elected officials.
Particularly, your voice helps state leaders make informed decisions
about Auburn University and encourages them to focus on the most
important issue amid the many distractions currently blurring their view
of what is so critical to this state - - funding all segments of
education adequately. 

               Please call or write your senator and ask for support of
a fair distribution of available funds for higher education in the FY02
ETF budget and continue your calls and letters to Governor Siegelman,
asking for his leadership in developing viable options to solve the
funding crisis facing all of education in this state.  These
communications have impact and are a means by which you can take action
to help Auburn and all of education in this state.  Governor Siegelman's
phone number is 334-242-7401;  fax 334-242-4891; address Alabama State
Capitol, 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, 36130.

                 Thank you for your willingness to help protect Auburn
University.

                                                                  
Sincerely,
	
                                                                  
William F. Walker
                                                                  
Interim President