Dr. Martha Warfield asked me to share a draft letter WMU may use to request support for KCP.
If you decide to draft a similar letter, it would be helpful to mention support for the Senate version of the Higher Education Budget Bill. Thanks
"Hi Rudy,
Just wanted to share the movement we have at WMU on getting
information out for support...including the alumni, chamber of
commerce members etc. If this kind of action can help other schools
organize their campaign, please share it. mw
How about something like the following:
Dear,
We need your help. The Michigan House of Representatives on June 9
passed an omnibus budget for the State of Michigan. As part of this
budget the House eliminated all funding, $5,146,900, for the Martin
Luther King - Cesar Chavez - Rosa Parks (KCP) programs. WMU's share
of the funding for the KCP programs is $_____. These programs are
vital to the current students of WMU and for those students in
Michigan high schools who are uncertain if their future can include
a higher education. Last year 18,494 students (and 876 parents) who
are academically and economically disadvantaged and or those from
high schools with low graduation rates were introduced to college
campuses across Michigan through the KCP College Day program. For
most of the students it was their first look at a college campus and
the first opportunity to talk with others about the promise that
higher education holds for their future. The Select Student Support
Services program served nearly 7,000 students enrolled in college
through tutoring, mentoring, career planning, internships, and other
services. From the fellowships provided under the Future Faculty
program, 134 new graduate degrees were granted to minority or
underrepresented students in Michigan last year. The KCP program
produces results for the taxpayers of Michigan.
The Governor has recommended the continued funding for the programs
as has the Michigan Senate. If you share our conviction that this
funding is a wise and strategic investment in the future of
Michigan, please contact your legislator immediately and ask them to
support the continued funding of the KCP program initiative. Your
support is incredibly important if these programs are to survive.
"
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