After hearing University president Stephen Hulbert’s speech at the emergency town hall meeting Friday, students are questioning what they can to do to help save Nicholls.With Nicholls facing a possible 35 percent budget cut, which special assistant to the president Larry Howell said would cause irreversible damage, University administrators have come up with a few ideas to minimize the impact of the budget cuts.
However, in order to follow through with some of these ideas, administrators need students to not panic so they can help, Howell said.
“It’s time to stand and fight here,” Hulbert said. “We’re not going to take flight but stand up and fight for what Nicholls is all about. That’s what we’re asking you to do.”
Hulbert urged students to write Louisiana senators, legislators and anyone else who would listen and help.
“We need to speak up and convince people of this region that this institution, Fletcher and Chabert hospital are important,” Hulbert said.
Hulbert said that “what is happening to us is happening from outside. It’s coming from the state” and that students need to spread the word about the threats to the University so others can get involved and stand up for Nicholls and higher education.
“Anywhere you have contacts, you have to reach out,” Hulbert said.
A complete list of Louisiana senate and house representatives, as well as addresses and phone numbers, can be found at www.thenichollsworth.com.
Administrators’ other ideas that could help minimize the damage to the University involve raising tuition in some way. Right now, Nicholls is one of the cheapest universities.
One way of raising tuition and relieving Nicholls’ burden from budget cuts would be to eliminate the cap on tuition, which allows students to get any class hours over 12 for free. Louisiana is one of the only states in the nation to have this cap.
By eliminating the cap, Nicholls could generate $4.1 million to help with the possible $10.8 million Nicholls could lose on July 1.
The other option would be to have differential tuition, which would make higher cost degree programs pay more. The three highest cost programs at Nicholls are geomatics, culinary arts and nursing.
Hulbert also stressed that transferring to another university is not as easy as it sounds. All public Louisiana universities are preparing for the same 35 percent budget cut.
Hulbert said students can’t just pick up and go to another university. Other universities won’t have the space.
For example, Louisiana State University is facing the possibility of having over 700 faculty and staff positions eliminated, 7,000 students affected and seven departments have a chance to close.
“We’re a damned good university,” Hulbert said. “We need to fight together for our future. We need to get everybody angry, concerned and involved.”
Administrators need the help of students, faculty, staff, graduates, the community and anyone else willing to help stand up and fight for Nicholls.
“We have to be engaged in this effort throughout this year,” Hulbert said. “We’re going to do it together, and we have to do it by getting out there and communicating to people. Our action plan is to work with you.
