Send your questions and comments about Nicholls State University to University President, Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert.
The Office of the President at Nicholls State University welcomes questions from the university community. You may submit your questions using the form below. Your comments will be sent to Dr. Hulbert and other members of the President’s staff. Not all comments may be approved or posted publicly. Your questions may also be edited for clarity.
You must include your name and a proper Nicholls State University e-mail address (@nicholls.edu OR @its.nicholls.edu).
How close are we to declaring exigency?
When we will know what the budget will be?
Cynthia DuBois has asked how close the university is to declaring financial exigency and when will we know what the budget will be for the 2009-10 fiscal year ahead. From my knowledge and experience, financial exigency, meaning a deficit situation, can only be declared when an actual budget has been approved. We have no idea about state appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, and, as such, no financial exigency situation exists at present. The decision regarding any budget rests with the legislature and the governor. Although the governor’s budget is due to the legislature on March 13th, the decision is not finalized until the conclusion of the legislative session, which this year occurs on June 25th, 2009.
If we are affected due to budget cuts, what majors or fields of study will be in danger of elimination?
Mr. Frank DiNicola has asked, if the university is affected due to budget cuts, what majors or fields of study will be in danger of elimination.
No decisions have been made and cannot be made until (if) any actual decrease is known. Premature decisions can only cause undue anxiety and stress. Also, remember “…that should further budget reductions become necessary, the Nicholls community will be involved in any necessary planning once any actual decrease is known.”
The areas that need to be protected, as much as possible, are those that contribute to the University’s status as an SREB 4-Year IV institution (which is based on the number of graduate level programs); those which are part of general education offerings which relate to all majors; and finally those majors/disciplines which have sufficient majors and graduates to maintain their viability in a comprehensive four-year university. Obviously, the deeper any imposed state cut, the more programs with low enrollments and few graduates would be considered for elimination.
In your most recent e-mail, and in previous e-mails, you mention possible cuts to student academic services. Having worked in the Writing Center for three years and having taught composition for three and a half years, I know how important the center can be to promoting student ability and confidence in writing. Will that center be closed?
Carolyn Gorman asked, “In your most recent e-mail, and in previous e-mails, you mention possible cuts to student academic services. Having worked in the Writing Center for three years and having taught composition for three and a half years, I know how important the center can be to promoting student ability and confidence in writing. Will that center be closed?”
No decisions have been made with regard to any area of university operations as we are just initiating the planning process. Members of the university community will have the opportunity for input. Every effort will be made to maintain the academic core of the university and the services that support it. My comments to date have only sought to indicate that we will undertake a review of all aspects of university operations in reaching decisions regarding required budget reductions.
I am of the old school…we rise and fall together. Is it too much to ask of the university staff, faculty and administration to take an across-the-board cut in pay to preserve the integrity of the school
President Obama often points to employees who “will give up a day so others might keep their job.” Can we do that?
Stephen Hermann asked, “I am of the old school…we rise and fall together. Is it too much to ask of the university staff, faculty and administration to take an across-the-board cut in pay to preserve the integrity of the school? President Obama often points to employees who will give up a day, so others might keep their job. Can we do that?”
To be direct in response, the extent of the total dollar reduction is so great that an across-the-board cut would be insufficient to cover the total amount required. A minimum of a 20% to 25% cut would be required, since a salary reduction (or furlough) initiative can only be applied to certain categories of employees. For some categories, such an initiative requires the approval of the individual.
There has been a continuing theme of budget cuts mentioned in the communications presented by President Hulbert over these past weeks. My question is why has there been no discussion about possible revenue generating initiatives? For example, student tuition increases, as Nicholls’ tuition seems to be amongst the lowest in the Southern Region.
Diane Garvey asked, “There has been a continuing theme of budget cuts mentioned in the communications presented by President Hulbert over these past weeks. My question is why has there been no discussion about possible revenue generating initiatives? For example, student tuition increases, as Nicholls’ tuition seems to be amongst the lowest in the Southern Region.”
There has been much discussion within the institutions of the University of Louisiana System and legislators relative to tuition increases. Since we are the only state that requires a 2/3rds vote of the legislature to raise tuition and because TOPS artificially holds down tuition, the average tuition in Louisiana 4-Year public universities is at 64% of the Southern Regional Average (SREB 2007-2008) (approximately $2,600 per year below average). This is the second lowest of the 16 states in the Southern Region. This combined with the budget cuts to state appropriations will make Louisiana the worst funded in total revenue in the entire Southern Region!
There are high expectations that the second year of a 5% tuition increase will become a reality. That will not change our position in the region. There is talk of a bill to return control of tuition to the management boards, but it will be difficult to pass.
There is a bill to make TOPS a stipend so that the legislature does not need to find additional funds for TOPS when tuition rises.
We are being told by the UL System office to plan for the 5% tuition increase.
Will the 4% increase for classified employees to eliminated?
Will there be any sort of incentive for employees with 20-25 years to retire early.
What will happen with the fee reduction that faculty/staff get for tuition for themselves and their children?
Brenda Ordoyne asked:
1. “Will the 4% increase for classified employees be eliminated?”
2. “Will there be any sort of incentive for employees with 20-25 years to retire early?”
3. “What will happen with the fee reduction that faculty/staff get for tuition for themselves and their children?”
Responses:
1. If the governor’s executive budget goes forward without change, it is quite likely that the classified merit increase would be suspended for the next fiscal year. This action will be taken as one means of avoiding or lessening the impact of layoffs or furloughs.
2. Questions regarding retirement incentives are better shared with our local legislators. Traditionally, such initiatives have been developed through legislation.
3. The tuition waiver for faculty and staff will remain as it is at present. No consideration has been given to any change in the current institutional policy.
Now that the university has submitted to Baton Rouge a detailed budget reduction plan and that plan is now public record, who would I ask to get a copy of this plan?
Daryl Holmes asked, “Now that the university has submitted to Baton Rouge a detailed budget reduction plan and that plan is now public record, who would I ask to get a copy of this plan?”
Response:
The full plan, as submitted to the University of Louisiana System, will be released by the President’s Office by e-mail attachment on Tuesday, April 28th.
When will the employees being affected by the layoffs be notified?
Rita Bergeron asked, “When will the employees being affected by the layoffs be notified?”
Response:
The notification process will begin tomorrow (Friday) and continue Monday, until it is completed. Faculty and staff will be notified in a meeting by their appropriate dean or vice president. They will then be given a letter by that individual.
I am having trouble understanding how the university will save money with a compressed workweek schedule. If we are still following a 40 hour workweek, we will still be consuming 40 hours of energy. How exactly will this measure save the university money?
Jerad David asked, “I am having trouble understanding how the university will save money with a compressed workweek schedule. If we are still following a 40 hour workweek, we will still be consuming 40 hours of energy. How exactly will this measure save the university money?”
Response:
Several universities across Louisiana have followed a compressed workweek schedule for two or more years. Each contends that there are real savings to be gained by such a schedule. We will not learn if this is true for Nicholls unless we give it a try. To be very honest, I have some doubts here. In any event, the effort will take planning across the facilities staff and the cooperation of university personnel campus-wide to generate any true benefit.
For Nicholls, the age and nature of our central loop heating and air conditioning system creates real challenges. The general concept during the pilot period is that our facilities personnel will power down thermostats both electronically and manually beginning on Fridays around noon. We will not be able to do this for all buildings, only those that do not have activities assigned to them during the weekend, whether those activities begin early or late Friday afternoon. Temperature reduction from noon on each Friday will mirror normal weekend conditions.
Efforts have been made to either change class times or move classes to facilities that we cannot power down until after 4:30 on Friday afternoons, or at all during the weekends. Tentatively, our plan is to power down buildings at noon on Friday such as Ayo, FACS, Gouaux, Talbot, Duhe etc. With these buildings offline, we expect to realize an additional energy savings. Mike Davis, the assistant vice president for administration, has been assigned the task of determining if savings are realized as we progress through the summer.
While I have mixed feelings with regard to the real benefits of a compressed workweek schedule, there is little doubt that the broader outside community is looking for indications of greater operating efficiency. By experimenting with this work schedule, we are providing a visible indication of institutional commitment to conserve resources.
As we move to introduce the new schedule on May 25, 2009, I am asking supervisors to work cooperatively with affected staff who may have personal scheduling problems over the course of the summer months. If we subsequently elect to introduce the compressed schedule year round, all staff can then make the necessary changes in their daily routines.
The decision to embrace the compressed workweek schedule for the actual calendar year will be made after consultation with faculty and staff.
A question from a staff member and an issue shared by Faculty Senate.
“I know that the budget reduction plan has been implemented, which involves the classified employees not receiving merit over the next fiscal year. Is this a plan that is being implemented state-wide, or is it only at Nicholls? I do understand that as classified employees of the University we need to do what we can to assist. However, how fair is it for classified employees to suffer this kind of blow? If I chose to take a job with another state agency, I would still possibly be getting my merit increase for this next fiscal year.”
Response:
The decision here had everything to do with the equitable treatment of all employees rather than the differential or special treatment of one class of positions. Last year our classified employees received a merit increase when neither the faculty nor the unclassified staff received an increase. This year, all employees will not receive merit increases. I cannot support classified staff being given merit again this year when other employee groups are not receiving an increase. Also, to give classified merit increases when it was not part of institutional planning will create another budget hole. Although difficult, the withholding of merit increases has reduced the number of employees that faced a layoff.
My goal has been to eliminate any move to furlough classified, unclassified, instructors and non-tenured faculty this year, which is part of the current budget reduction plan. We were notified last week that our reductions were lowered. We plan to eliminate any furloughs. We believe that this is fair for all employees. Everyone will be asked to do more; we do not want them to do it for less pay.
It is a fact that other state agencies may have the finances to continue providing merit increases to their staff members. If our employees choose to leave the University to work for another agency, they certainly may be eligible to receive the merit increase this upcoming fiscal year. This holds true for all of our employees; there may be other opportunities for our faculty, unclassified and classified staff members. I personally hope that our employees can find the means to stay with us through these difficult times. I also understand that some will make the decision that, due to financial constraints, they have no choice but to leave and it is truly unfortunate if that happens.
I know that all employees depend on the annual merit increase. To me it is a matter of equity.
A parent has asked how the university addresses instances of sick students who display flu-like symptoms.
The University does take the health of our students very serious. Procedures are in place to handle pandemic type medical situations. The procedures were put in place after reviewing Center for Disease Control, State of Louisiana Public Health and World Health Organization recommendations. The development and implementation of procedures in place for student health services have been overseen by our staff physician, who reviews and updates medical services protocol as needed.
The housing and food services staff have been distributing prevention, referral and follow-up information to students. Students who demonstrate or report any symptoms are immediately referred to Student Health Services. Students who have roommates or share an apartment with a student who is sick can request to be relocated to different housing accommodations. Meals can also be provided via the “sick tray” program from the campus cafeteria. Please note that medical authorities have not recommended relocation as a prevention, as by the time a diagnosis has been made exposure has already occurred.
The University cannot speak as to the medical status of any specific student’s medical diagnosis or treatment plan. This information is confidential per the HIPPA and FERPA Federal Protection Laws. Students are referred to Student Health Services for medical treatment on a regular basis.
Please note that the University cannot legally quarantine a student. Student Health Services staff does advise students with flu like symptoms to self-isolate, which means that the student should refrain from contact with others by remaining in their apartment or residence hall room unless they are going to see their physician or responding to an emergency situation. Our health services staff have reported that the number of students reporting flu like symptoms has decreased over the last two weeks. We will continue to work on prevention and follow-up activities to try to keep these numbers as low as possible.
Any student who would like to take advantage of special accommodations due to medical reasons should contact Dr. Garvey (985-493-2609 or diane.garvey@nicholls.edu ). There will be an immediate response to any request received.
Response:
University staff will continue to monitor this situation and adjust procedures for responding to this and other health concerns as needed. Updates will be distributed electronically and in hard copy form throughout the campus community. An electronic link to this information is available at http://www.nicholls.edu .
Dr. Hulbert,
A recent Baton Rouge Advocate report quoted Dr. Randy Moffet, President of the UL System, that if the additional cuts are implemented, then all UL System schools, including Nicholls, would not have a Summer Session, among other cuts. I understand that the final numbers are not in yet, and won’t be in for sometime, but I need to know that if these additional cuts come to pass, will the Summer Session at Nicholls be cancelled? I ask this because if it is, that will delay my graduation date for at least one semester, and I’m not alone in this situation.
I share your concern over comments for state level funding in Louisiana’s colleges and universities, especially as it might impact summer school. However, at Nicholls State University, summer school is a self-supporting initiative, and as such, I would see no need for reduction or elimination of that program.
I am under the impression that the new fiscal year will require more budget cuts, therefore making it nearly impossible to remain a four-year school. Is this true?Is there anything we can do to ensure that NSU will be around to provide educations to those living in out area. Do we need to contact legislature and demand, request, or convince them to keep our school a four-year university?
Ms. LeBoeuf,
The financial challenges facing Nicholls State University and all of Louisiana’s two- and four-year colleges and universities really take effect July 1, 2011, when the state loses $300 million of federal stimulus support. None of the state’s colleges and universities are truly in trouble because of what they clearly contribute to the regions of the state each serves. Rather, each faces difficulty because the state has taken a total of $300 million in recurring state appropriation, placed it elsewhere in the state’s budget, and replaced it with limited term federal stimulus dollars. Simply stated, the crisis public higher education faces is artificial in that it was created by state government.
However, that crisis becomes very real for higher education as we approach 2011. In any event, whether we talk about July of 2010 or that of 2011, nothing that lies ahead would cause Nicholls to be changed from its four-year, comprehensive university status. That is simply not a possibility.
Nicholls State University is a well established, four-year partner with L. E. Fletcher Community College in providing access to post secondary education in south central Louisiana. Each has a specific role to play and on its own part, Nicholls is the major provider of education, nursing, culinary, business and other employees to a six parish area. Nicholls provides its service region with a $274 million annual economic impact.
As to contacting local legislators, each already knows the importance Nicholls and Fletcher play in the education of their regional constituents. Legislative support, at least at the local level, is not the issue. Garnering the support of state-level legislative leadership as well as that of state government is a more significant issue. For the present, it is important that we simply closely monitor activity at the state level.
Again, I do not consider the 2010-2011 year ahead that begins July 1st to be the real challenge. It is the 2011-2012 year beginning July 1st, 2011, that is of critical importance. As the 2011 Legislative Session gets underway, Nicholls and all of two-and four-year higher education will be looking for the support of its friends.
Thank you for your interest, concern, and support here!
Stephen T. Hulbert
President
I am stuck in a very stressful situation. There is a lot of talk going around about the Health and Performance Education major getting dropped. I was a nursing major and just recently changed my major to Health and Performance Education. I have my whole heart set on being a P.E. teacher and coaching in high school. I am looking for some sort of advice on what I should do. I do not want to continue with these courses next semester if the major will be dropped and I will lose my credits. I love Nicholls and being able to stay with my family. I would hate to have to move and transfer schools, but it seems like that would be my only option.
Dear Brooke:
Last year faculty in the Health and Performance Education Program were given notice of a possibility that this program would be terminated depending upon the budget situation. However, no decision has yet been made regarding this or any other program.
Past budget cuts have already resulted in the termination of some programs at Nicholls, but every effort was made to make certain students enrolled in these programs were able to complete their degrees. Although I cannot promise you that this program will never be reduced or eliminated, I can tell you that if it is, students already in the program will be provided with the assistance necessary to complete the degree requirements so your credits would not be lost.
Hopefully this knowledge will help reduce some of your anxiety. We want you to stay on at Nicholls, complete your degree, and GRADUATE! Best wishes in the remainder of your academic career.
I have concerns regarding rumored budget cuts and how it may effect the proposed new culinary facility at Nicholls. My daughter attended an open house in July, we were able to meet with JFCI faculty while on campus, and we all fell in love with the campus expecially given what was described to us as an already approved and paid for expansion into a new building within about 2 years’ time. She has previously shown preferential interest in CIA (Hyde Park, NY) and Johnson & Wales Univ (Charlotte, NC) and given the fact that she is now a senior we are wondering if we need to refocus on those other institutions? She will be truly heartbroken if NSU doesn’t happen for her now…but she remains committed to Culinary
Dear Mr. Crain:
I have received your email, and I understand your concerns about the Culinary Arts program at Nicholls. Please know that our Culinary Arts is a very strong program with almost 400 majors and is not presently under consideration for termination or reduction. No matter what happens to Nicholls the culinary program is continuing. It is one of its kind in the country and it focuses on the unique cajun/creole cuisine. As you well know, the tuition cost at Nicholls can be significantly less than that of the private entities. Furthermore, we have made significant strides in developing the culinary arts physical plant on this campus. We have the money for planning this year and expect the construction funds in 2011 to begin construction of the building.
All of us here at Nicholls are committed to preserving this university to the fullest extent possible. We are doing everything we can to prepare for any possible budget cuts and will keep the public informed as we move forward.
I sincerely hope that your e-mail means that you want to help Nicholls during this challenging period. I am providing you with some of the ways that you can be of assistance. If you have any additional questions, please send them by responding to this e-mail.
1. Go to http://www.nicholls.edu, and download the “Nicholls: Who Cares?” brochure.
2. Contact the governor of Louisiana and Louisiana state legislators, and tell them to:
a. Eliminate the cap on tuition to require students to pay for every credit hour taken. Currently students pay for only 12 credit hours. This could generate $4.1 million in revenue for Nicholls.
b. Allow higher tuition for higher cost degree programs.
c. Create a minimum funding formula per full-time student equal to the regional average for similar Louisiana institutions. This could generate $3.6 million in revenue for Nicholls.
d. Stop cutting higher education until all other state agencies have received equal or even greater budget reductions.
e. Funding for higher education can’t wait – a special session to resolve funding issues is needed.
Here’s contact information for the governor and state legislators in the Nicholls service region:
Gov. Bobby Jindal
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
bobby.jindal@la.gov
The Hon. Damon Baldone
Rep., District 53
162 New Orleans Blvd.
Houma, LA 70364
larep053@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Nickie Monica
Rep., District 57
330 Belle Terre Blvd.
Suite 101
LaPlace, LA 70068
monican@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Joe Harrison
Rep., District 51
P. O. Drawer 1809
Gray, LA 70359
harrisoj@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Karen St. Germain
Rep., District 60
57835 Plaquemine St.
Plaquemine, LA 70764
larep060@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Gary Smith
Rep., District 56
P. O. Box 189
Norco, LA 70079
larep56@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Joel T. Chaisson
LA State Senate President
P. O. Box 1255
Destrehan, LA 70047
websen@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Jody Amedee
Sen., District 18
2109 Burnside Ave.
Suite A
Gonzales, LA 70737
amedeej@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Jerry Gisclair
Rep., District 54
P. O. Box 1448
Larose, LA 70373-1448
gisclairj@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Gordon Dove
Rep., District 52
P. O. Box 629
Houma, LA 70361
larep052@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Sam Jones
Rep., District 50
St. Mary Parish Courthouse
Room 304
Franklin, LA 70538
joness@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Jerome “Dee” Richard
Rep., District 55
907 Jackson St.
Thibodaux, LA 70301
richardj@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Norby Chabert
Sen., District 20
P. O. Box 2417
Houma, LA 70361
chabertn@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. D. A. “Butch” Gautreaux
Sen., District 21
1103 Eighth St.
Morgan City, LA 70380
lasen21@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Robert Billiot
Rep., Dist. 83
#10 Westbank Expy.
Westwego, LA 70094
billiotr@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Elton Aubert
Rep., District 58
P. O. Box 921
Vacherie, LA 70090
auberte@legis.state.la.us
3. Write letters to the editors of state and regional newspapers to tell them why you care about Nicholls.
Here’s a list of editors for print media in the Nicholls service region:
Keith Magill
Editor
The Daily Comet
705 West 5th Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301-3148
keith.magill@houmatoday.com
Jim Amoss
Editor
Times-Picayune
3800 Howard Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70125-1429
jamoss@timespicayune.com
Steve Shirley
Editor
Daily Review and St. Mary Journal
1014 Front Street
Morgan City, LA 70380-3226
news@daily-review.com
David Reynaud
Editor
Enterprise
2677 Highway 20
Vacherie, LA 70090-5603
srwalter@bellsouth.net
David Reynaud
Editor
Assumption Pioneer
501 Assumption Street
Napoleonville, LA 70390-3027
assumptionpio172@bellsouth.net
Vanessa Pritchett
Editor
Franklin Banner-Tribune
115 Wilson Street
Franklin, LA 70538-6149
editor@banner-tribune.com
Jonathan Menard
Editor
Saint Charles Herald-Guide
14236 Highway 90
Boutte, LA 70039-3516
editor@heraldguide.com
Dee Dee Thurston
Editor
Houma Courier
3030 Barrow Street
Houma, LA 70360-7641
deedee.thurston@houmatoday.com
Carl Redman
Editor
The Advocate
900 North 3rd Street, Room G151
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5236
credman@theadvocate.com
Allison Hudson
Editor
Donaldsonville Chief
120 Railroad Avenue
Donaldsonville, LA 70346-2520
editor@dvillechief.brcoxil.com
Scott Gremillion
Editor
Baton Rouge Business Report
9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2438
editors@businessreport.com
Shell Armstrong
Editor
Tri-Parish Times
4924 Highway 311
Houma, LA 70360-2873
shell@tri-parishtimes.com
Terri Sercovich
Editor
Plaquemines Gazette
7962 Highway 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037-2432
terri@printall.net
Katelyn Thibodeaux
Editor
Nicholls Worth
P.O. Box 2010
Thibodaux, LA 70310
nw@nicholls.edu
4. Help spread the word via e-mail, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Forward the “Nicholls: Who Cares?” brochure to your friends, and tell them why you care about Nicholls and why they should too! Visit the Nicholls Facebook page and click “Like” to receive important information about Nicholls.
If you need any additional information, please contact me.
With current budget crisis, can you please tell me why athletics should not be eliminated or greatly reduced? I’m not suggesting this. I enjoy Nicholls Athletics; I am just asking.
Ms. Morgan,
Athletics is a necessary part of any 4-year institution. It not only builds character in athletes, but also some identity for the school throughout the region and state. It also makes good financial sense when we look at the cost/benefit in terms of dollars and cents. Why else would all medium sized 4-year institutions have an athletics program.
Athletes at Nicholls make up 4.3% of the student body, but generate 7.54% of the revenue. This revenue is not only tuition and fees, but room and board that is needed to pay off some of our $70+ million bonded indebtedness.
Although the university spends $3.24 million of its operating budget on athletics, $3.16 million is generated back in revenue in terms of tuition, room and board.
If all of athletics was cut from the budget, it would save approximately $80,000, if those students were not here. If we add others that may be here because of athletics or athletes such as band members, cheerleaders, athletic trainers, and just friends, the impact would be much greater.
If we were to eliminate just football, as some have suggested, the impact is even greater. Football alone generates over $800,000 in revenue which along with the scholarship money from the university ($771,000) more than covers the total expenses of the sport of $1.57 million.
Simply eliminating the$3.24 million the university spends on athletics to cause an $80,000 total savings, does not make good business sense.
I have been hearing talk about the Computer Information Systems degree program might be cut. I was wondering about what would be done for the students in programs that end up being cut. Are yall planning to phase out these programs and let students so far in finish? Or would they just be cut and students would just have to absorb the lose of credits?
Dear Daniel:
I have received your question, and I understand your concerns about the Computer Information System program at Nicholls. Please know that we have not made, nor can we make, any final decisions regarding the elimination or reduction in academic programs until we have some idea of what our funding will be for the next fiscal year. Although I cannot provide you with a definitive answer regarding any academic program at this time, I assure you we are doing and will continue to do all we can to meet the needs of our students and assist with their progress towards degree completion. All of us here at Nicholls are committed to preserving this university to the fullest extent possible. We are doing everything we can to prepare for any possible budget cuts and will keep the public informed as we move forward.
I sincerely hope that your question means that you want to help Nicholls during this challenging period. I am providing you with some of the ways that you can be of assistance. If you have any additional questions, please send them to my attetnion.
1. Go to http://www.nicholls.edu, and download the “Nicholls: Who Cares?” brochure.
2. Contact the governor and state legislators, and tell them to:
a. Eliminate the cap on tuition to require students to pay for every credit hour taken. Currently students pay for only 12 credit hours. This could generate $4.1 million in revenue for Nicholls.
b. Allow higher tuition for higher cost degree programs.
c. Create a minimum funding formula per full-time student equal to the regional average for similar Louisiana institutions. This could generate $3.6 million in revenue for Nicholls.
d. Stop cutting higher education until all other state agencies have received equal or even greater budget reductions.
e. Funding for higher education can’t wait – a special session to resolve funding issues is needed.
Here’s contact information for the governor and state legislators in the Nicholls service region:
Gov. Bobby Jindal
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
bobby.jindal@la.gov
The Hon. Damon Baldone
Rep., District 53
162 New Orleans Blvd.
Houma, LA 70364
larep053@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Nickie Monica
Rep., District 57
330 Belle Terre Blvd.
Suite 101
LaPlace, LA 70068
monican@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Joe Harrison
Rep., District 51
P. O. Drawer 1809
Gray, LA 70359
harrisoj@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Karen St. Germain
Rep., District 60
57835 Plaquemine St.
Plaquemine, LA 70764
larep060@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Gary Smith
Rep., District 56
P. O. Box 189
Norco, LA 70079
larep56@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Joel T. Chaisson
LA State Senate President
P. O. Box 1255
Destrehan, LA 70047
websen@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Jody Amedee
Sen., District 18
2109 Burnside Ave.
Suite A
Gonzales, LA 70737
amedeej@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Jerry Gisclair
Rep., District 54
P. O. Box 1448
Larose, LA 70373-1448
gisclairj@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Gordon Dove
Rep., District 52
P. O. Box 629
Houma, LA 70361
larep052@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Sam Jones
Rep., District 50
St. Mary Parish Courthouse
Room 304
Franklin, LA 70538
joness@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Jerome “Dee” Richard
Rep., District 55
907 Jackson St.
Thibodaux, LA 70301
richardj@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Norby Chabert
Sen., District 20
P. O. Box 2417
Houma, LA 70361
chabertn@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. D. A. “Butch” Gautreaux
Sen., District 21
1103 Eighth St.
Morgan City, LA 70380
lasen21@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Robert Billiot
Rep., Dist. 83
#10 Westbank Expy.
Westwego, LA 70094
billiotr@legis.state.la.us
The Hon. Elton Aubert
Rep., District 58
P. O. Box 921
Vacherie, LA 70090
auberte@legis.state.la.us
3. Write letters to the editors of state and regional newspapers to tell them why you care about Nicholls.
Here’s a list of editors for print media in the Nicholls service region:
Keith Magill
Editor
The Daily Comet
705 West 5th Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301-3148
keith.magill@houmatoday.com
Jim Amoss
Editor
Times-Picayune
3800 Howard Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70125-1429
jamoss@timespicayune.com
Steve Shirley
Editor
Daily Review and St. Mary Journal
1014 Front Street
Morgan City, LA 70380-3226
news@daily-review.com
David Reynaud
Editor
Enterprise
2677 Highway 20
Vacherie, LA 70090-5603
srwalter@bellsouth.net
David Reynaud
Editor
Assumption Pioneer
501 Assumption Street
Napoleonville, LA 70390-3027
assumptionpio172@bellsouth.net
Vanessa Pritchett
Editor
Franklin Banner-Tribune
115 Wilson Street
Franklin, LA 70538-6149
editor@banner-tribune.com
Jonathan Menard
Editor
Saint Charles Herald-Guide
14236 Highway 90
Boutte, LA 70039-3516
editor@heraldguide.com
Dee Dee Thurston
Editor
Houma Courier
3030 Barrow Street
Houma, LA 70360-7641
deedee.thurston@houmatoday.com
Carl Redman
Editor
The Advocate
900 North 3rd Street, Room G151
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5236
credman@theadvocate.com
Allison Hudson
Editor
Donaldsonville Chief
120 Railroad Avenue
Donaldsonville, LA 70346-2520
editor@dvillechief.brcoxil.com
Scott Gremillion
Editor
Baton Rouge Business Report
9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2438
editors@businessreport.com
Shell Armstrong
Editor
Tri-Parish Times
4924 Highway 311
Houma, LA 70360-2873
shell@tri-parishtimes.com
Terri Sercovich
Editor
Plaquemines Gazette
7962 Highway 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037-2432
terri@printall.net
Katelyn Thibodeaux
Editor
Nicholls Worth
P.O. Box 2010
Thibodaux, LA 70310
nw@nicholls.edu
4. Help spread the word via e-mail, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Forward the “Nicholls: Who Cares?” brochure to your friends, and tell them why you care about Nicholls and why they should too! Visit the Nicholls Facebook page and click “Like” to receive important information about Nicholls.
I hope that you will join in our efforts to convince our governor and legislators to provide us with the means and resources necessary to allow Nicholls to remain a viable institution.