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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. "