URGENT - AU UPDATE

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

May 9, 2001

Dear  Friend of Auburn:

In my earlier email, I encouraged everyone to contact legislators,
specifically Senator Ted Little (D-Auburn), to request support for
Auburn University's position with regard to the proration relief bond
issue.  I want to report to you the result of today's Senate action on
that bill.

Unfortunately, the Alabama Senate passed the proration relief bond
issue this afternoon. Several procedural votes that set the stage for
consideration of this legislation were instrumental in its passage.
Regrettably, Senator Ted Little (D-Auburn) voted against Auburn
University and all of higher education on these matters. We are
extremely disappointed by Senator Little's lack of support for Auburn,
particularly since I spoke with him personally this morning about the
importance of not passing this bond issue. Please relay your
disappointment to Senator Little.  He can be reached at:  
phone (334) 242-7865; fax (334) 353-3958; email
tedlittle@mindspring.com.

The Senate Bill now heads to the House of Representatives and could be
on the agenda in the House Ways and Means-Education Committee as early
as tomorrow. This afternoon the House version of this same bill was
temporarily carried over at the call of the chair. Rep. Mike Hubbard's
(R-Auburn) efforts were tremendously effective in delaying action of the
House version of the bill. As I stated in a personal letter to each
legislator this morning, the passage of this bill is bad public policy
and represents fiscal irresponsibility on the part of the Alabama
Legislature. 

We will continue to oppose this legislation in the House and I
encourage you to contact your House member to express Auburn
University's continued opposition to this proration relief bond issue. 

As always, I thank you for your willingness to stand up for Auburn!

Sincerely,



William F. Walker
Interim President
Auburn University