The Auburn Plainsman Online

Gov. James addresses students in lecture hall
Jennifer Murphree
Assistant Campus Editor

THINH NGUYEN/Assistant Photo Editor

Gov. James spoke to an packed crowd in Broun Hall. Questions from faculty members dominated the question-and-answer session held after his speech.

Gov. Fob James addressed the students and faculty of his alma mater Wednesday, and was berated by both for dodging hot topics, such as program cuts and a decreased budget.

Before James spoke, Glenn Howze, chair of the Faculty Senate, said he doubt James would volunteer any information on such controversial topics.

"I imagine today he's just running for office," Howze said.

James reminisced about his days at Auburn, remarking that "the lessons learned here are lessons that never leave you."

Using this as a stepping stone to introduce what would be the bulk of his speech, James outlined the reasons for his attention to grades K-12 during his term as governor.

As a civil engineering major, James said he was taught the importance of foundations. "Not only are they important when building bridges and highways, but we must build strong foundations in society as well."

James said the most important tool the governor has is the use of the "bully pulpit to set priorities and provide the tenacity to see them through."

Following an extensive outline of his implementation of K-12 education policies and the laws passed to enforce them, James brushed through a simple statement of the importance of higher education, with no mention of the perils facing those within the system.

James' answer to the problems facing Alabama's two- and four-year institutions was a repetitive statement about his Program Viability Standards law, passed in 1996. The law has come under fire by many of Auburn's faculty members, who believe it's an improper solution.

"The law is a one-dimensional, simplistic tool. No money has been saved. The problem is not that we're trying to do too much, it's that we still don't have enough funding," Howze said.

James applauded his administration's pouring of $250 million into special education funds for grades K-12, while Howze brought to everyone's attention that it wasn't new money, but was taken from the higher education budget.

When asked how he would convince students to vote for him based on the suffering of higher education in recent years, James said he was trying his best to implement the same standards as he had for K-12.

Another faculty member asked James why he didn't fight the problem using his "bully pulpit."

James said the only way to fairly address the problems concerning reallocation of funds and sensitive program-cutting issues is to do so, "slowly and methodically."

However, James listened intently to grievances by students in the aerospace engineering and nursing programs, whose majors are being considered for cuts or mergers with other schools.

"If I could change the rules, I'd change a lot of things a lot quicker. But the only way I think these problems can be addressed is through legislation," he said.

James assured nursing students, whose program has been nominated for a merger with AUM's nursing program, that, "I'm sure President Muse and all those responsible for making the decision will do the right thing."

Another point of interest covered by James in his speech was his opposition to a state lottery, or any type of gambling in the state. It is an issue that has been heavily debated between James and his opponent, Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman.

"I oppose any type of gambling, whether it is a casino or a lottery. We're better than that in this state.

"I won't hinge the future of this state on a gamble," James said.

Traditionally, James has supported freedom of religion battles concerning the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, and he reaffirmed this conviction in his speech.

James also named federalism as a major concern for our generation. He urged students to look up the term and study it, saying, "liberty hangs on a thin thread that can easily be broken."

James ended his speech on an amiable note, joking that he was sure the football team would get better in the future.

Easing the tension, he reversed the questioning, asking students, "What do you girls and guys do around here for fun?"