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Like they use to say in the old days, "Right On!" You dear friend hit it on the mark. We have to protect what was gained through hard struggle by uniting as many as possible. Ozzie Rivera Madonna University ________________________________ From: Retention & Graduation Issues Concerning Minorities in Higher Education [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ganges, Tendaji Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 1:11 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: 2nd Annual Policy Seminar in Lansing Importance: High TRIO Folks - (For those of you who are subscribed to both TRIO and KCP lists, I apologize in advance for the double mailing.) I think the TRIO community is missing the boat, at least the Michigan contingency is. With all of the recent hustle to protect TRIO and GEAR UP funding, we seem to have overlooked the natural connection between the Michigan TRIO programs and the Michigan King-Chavez-Parks Initiative. The KCP Initiative (with just under a $5.2 Million state allocation) is being considered for total elimination by the Michigan House as we correspond in cyberspace. Indeed, the precedent was set by the governor herself when she failed to ignore or to reverse a recommendation made to her by one or more of her aides/advisors to eliminate KCP from her budget plans for next year. Although the Senate has included full KCP funding in its budget recommendations thus far, the House appropriations subcommittee has recommended the complete elimination of all KCP programs. The recently released House omnibus bill also reflects zero funding for KCP. Then again, the KCP community is missing the boat as well. KCP hasn't reached out to TRIO the way it should have. Yet there IS a connection between EOP and TRIO, as I've noted loudly for the past couple of decades. That's exactly why, without any TRIO funding, my office (partially supported with KCP funding) has always worked collaboratively with all TRIO programs and organizations to ensure TRIO funding and stability. It's all about the WHOLE! Consider how many Michigan campuses have both TRIO and KCP programs. It is NOT a coincidence that both are under fire while the Michigan Civil Rights Institute (MCRI) also works hard to eliminate Affirmative Action and ALL programming that addresses inequities -- what the MCRI refers to as "preferential programs". I had assumed that there was already a good deal of cross-fertilization between the two "camps" but I think my assumption is overly optimistic. I don't see nearly enough collaboration and shared efforts. The near complete success in restoring major program cuts in TRIO and GEAR UP is to be applauded, but that is, in my opinion, a temporary battle victory. The forces that attacked this time have not been eliminated; just beaten back from the front. They WILL be back, and with a vengeance. They have ALWAYS been there. They will ALWAYS be there. And we ALL need to be prepared to fight when they return for the next round of attacks. If we wish to talk about a state "policy seminar" for TRIO -- then let's talk seriously about the WHOLE picture. The Cherry Commission has recommended that Michigan double its college graduation rate in a decade. TRIO is a natural part of what the KCP programs are striving to achieve -- reaching equity/parity amongst and for ALL of the citizens. If we are to hit the Michigan "hill" then we must be ready to support and defend the ENTIRE thrust, not just those individual offices in which we work. The Center for Individual Rights, the American Civil Rights Initiative (and its Michigan counterpart), the Center for Equal Opportunity (all ultra conservative groups despite what their names would imply -- and that's by design) are the names of our enemies...and THEY are VERY clear on who and what they are fighting against...and WHO they will work WITH!!! Are WE as focused and united as they are?! If the answer is no, we will lose this battle and ultimately the war! (For some quick reference information about KCP, I'm attaching a document that includes some facts, figures and talking points about the KCP programs. It has been compiled by the KCP officers using state-wide data.) Let's decide to hit the Michigan Hill in force, collaboratively, focused and unified! And we can't wait until September for KCP. We must act now!!! By the way, who is aware of the K-16 Rally in Lansing on Tuesday, June 21?! We should ALL be THERE as well! Check out the following: http://www.michigank16.org/ I and a number of the KCP folks are planning to attend the June 21 rally. Who can join us?! Tendaji ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Tendaji W. Ganges Assistant to the Chancellor and Executive Director Educational Opportunity Initiatives University of Michigan-Flint University Center - Suite 280 303 East Kearsley Street Flint, MI 48502-1950 Voice and Voice Mail: 810-762-3365 Facsimile: 810-762-3190 Email: [log in to unmask] ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -----Original Message----- From: Amy Anderson [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 9:31 AM To: Arnie Smith Alexander; Danielle Palmer; Laura Ciccantell; MONICA TYLER; Patrick D. Smith; Robert Ross; Veronica Killebrew; Watkins, Montisa A; Heath Alexander; Amy Anderson; Selene Anderson-Thompson; Annita Aranda; Donna Austin; Pam Bellamy; Michele Buku; John Bur; Elizabeth Colburn; Janice Cook-Johnson; Cynthia Copney; Lynn Curry; Amanda Delich; Tendaji Ganges; Geraldine Graham; Charles Green; Eddie Green; Glenda Hammond; Michelle Heidenreich; Jacqueline Hill; Peter Holliday; Michael Hopson; Nancy Johnson; Sarah Keranen-Lopez; Joseph Klemens; Dana Labard; Debbie LeBlanc; Lee Luoto; Dolli Lutes; Jane McCloskey; Holly McKee; Robert McTaggart; Pam McVay; Robert Newton; Fatima Nieves; Sara Norton-Ejnik; Susan Pitcher; Amy Prevo-Johnson; Paul Rease; Henry Robinson; Joan Roosa; Renee Sanders-Lawson; Delta Saulsberry; Gail Scukanec; Peter Sims; Valerie Smith; William Tandy; Janice Tomlinson; Patricia Wallace; Pam Wertanen; Grindl Williams; Heidi Witucki; Barbara Zupin Subject: 2nd Annual Policy Seminar in Lansing Good morning Michigan TRiO Personnel! Just wanted to keep you in the loop about the 2nd Policy Seminar being planned for September in the state capitol. We are looking at the 13th or 20th of September (Tuesdays). We would like to get your feedback on what date you prefer, and whether you'd be able to volunteer on our committee, and/or whether you'd be able to attend this important event. You may ask, "what is this policy seminar thing, anyways?" It is modeled after the national policy seminar put on by COE in Washington D.C. We meet and greet our state elected officials. The idea is to inform, educate, and get their support of our programs in Michigan. This way we can work to build relationships to obtain state funding, corporate funding, and have better buy in of the state as a whole. New this year, Michigan was awarded two laptop computers to be given away to one pre-college and one college student. These laptops will be awarded at the Policy Seminar. Another common question, "who should come to this event?" Everyone! TRiO Personnel, students, alumni, college officials, teachers, tutors, parents, etc. You decide. If you are thinking it will be hard to get students out of school, or that your students will have college classes and will be unable to attend, STOP, right there. YOU can still come and bring parents, or Alumni, or your teachers/tutors. We NEED your help to make this a success! We'd like to have TRiO representatives from each district available. Last question, "What will we be doing?" This is where we are looking for a few brave volunteers to speak their mind and give us suggestions. Last year we did a pizza party that students and staff were able to meet and greet their state officials. We ran into a hang up that both house and senate were immersed in heated debate so we didn't get to see as many people. So this year we were thinking of a possible "job shadow/meet your rep & office staff in their offices" in the morning/afternoon (depending on their availability) and then lunch, with tours of MSU and LCC and Cooley Law scheduled throughout the day. We also can do tours of the capitol, and give maps for the state library. We could if enough were interested, get hotel information to expand the event to Monday/Tuesday. We need your voice. We sincerely appreciate your dedication to TRiO and your students, and look to make this event a learning experience for all visitors. If you have questions, comments, ideas, or just want to say hello! please email me back at: [log in to unmask] Thank you for your time, Amy Anderson Heath Alexander William Tandy ETS Director UB Assoc. Dir. UB Dir.& MI-MAEOPP Pres. Southwestern Grand Valley Wayne State University MIchigan College State University