The Hammond Chamber of Commerce recently held a luncheon where members heard about the state’s budget from the University of Louisiana System President and learned the recipient of this month’s Spirit Award.
The luncheon was held on Friday, Sept. 30 at 11:30 a.m. in Twelve Oaks Dining Hall on Southeastern’s campus.
Members of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives from different sponsors, Senator Jack Donahue, Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster and Dr. Randy Moffet, past president of Southeastern and current president of the University of Louisiana System, attended the event.
Several community plans and awards were acknowledged.
The Hammond Fire Department was recognized as the recipient of the Spirit Award for this month for having a green and gold fire engine in support of Southeastern.
“It’s really a great honor,” said Chris Ferrara, owner of Ferrara Fire Apparatus, which produced the spirited fire truck. “We’re always looking to get involved with the community, especially SLU.”
Ferrara, Captain John Thomas and Stormy Lee, all from the fire department, were there to accept the honor at the luncheon.
“[The Spirit Award] has helped get the community more involved in the university,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “It has helped strengthen Hammond’s partnership with the university.”
After the award, Moffet spoke on behalf of the University of Louisiana System about the distribution of state finances to its eight universities and “the good, the bad, the ugly and the hope” in regards to Southeastern’s budget.
Moffet summarized the highs and lows of the university’s budget, comparing the time a few years ago when funds were low to a similar period in the 80s. Although there was significant financial reduction and reduced payroll for university staff, Southeastern pushed to remain a four-year university by growing and becoming nationally accredited.
According to Moffet, there was an $83 million reduction in the University of Louisiana System’s budget in late 2009, which affected all eight universities in the UL System: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of Louisiana at Monroe.
“I’ve lived a lot of what he spoke about,” said Crain about Moffet’s lecture. “I think he did a good job giving historical perspective on the situation and was accurate in painting that picture.”
Moffet stated that the UL System’s total operating budget five years ago was that 56 percent came from state funds and 44 percent came from tuition. This year the percentages have reversed with universities now generating more of their funds from students’ tuition than from the state.
“The hope is in education,” said Moffet. “We are a very good bargain. We are low in terms of relative costs. The hope is that we will continue to do well, that our university will continue tuition increase and that we will find a good balance.”
Linda Sharpless, Chief Executive Officer of the Multipractice Clinic, a sponsor of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce said that she thinks Southeastern is important to the community of Hammond.
“Basically, it brings in a lot of revenue to the city of Hammond,” said Sharpless. “It gives our children the opportunity not to go far from home, and it provides a marvelous education at a reasonable rate.”
Moffet, president of Southeastern before Crain, said that the Hammond Chamber of Commerce and Southeastern have been working together for many years.
“What’s good for Hammond is good for the university and what’s good for the university is good for Hammond,” said Moffet.