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Dear BSC Community:
It has been a very busy week — one in which we have felt momentum as we continue to work our plan for bridge funding.
Rep. Juandalynn Givan, who represents the Alabama House district in which BSC sits, hosted a town hall at Parker High School on Tuesday at which both BSC and the community packed the 750-seat house. The many attendees who spoke in support of BSC outnumbered the handful who spoke against the plan. Community residents, alumni, faculty, staff, and students expressed themselves with passion and eloquence, leading Rep. Givan to close with a public statement of her support. The recording is here, and coverage from the local TV stations here, here, here and here.
The next day, we warmly welcomed U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who presented BSC with a $500,000 federal grant to support student internships through the Krulak Institute. Rep. Sewell has been a great partner to BSC — two of her staff are BSC grads, so she knows the power of a BSC education, and she recently hosted a 90-minute visit in her DC office for students in the E-Term class I taught on the 2008 financial crash. On Wednesday, she expressed her support for our efforts and challenged other elected officials to help ensure that the College endures.
The release of our economic impact report, which won significant attention last week, was followed by Birmingham Business Alliance’s announcement that BSC’s request for bridge funding is one of their legislative priorities for 2023.
Links to stories about that and about Rep. Sewell’s visit can be found on the BSC Blog. You’ll also find links to guest opinion columns from Alabama publications, including a most meaningful op-ed by Sen. Jabo Waggoner ’60 and Sen. Rodger Smitherman, our champions in Montgomery.
So we’ve had a good week in terms of public statements of support from elected officials and media coverage of those events.
Behind the scenes, there is significant activity with our allies in Montgomery, the Birmingham corporate community, and key legislators. That work continues daily (and sometimes nightly) as the March 7 opening of the Alabama Legislature nears. While we have much work ahead, we are encouraged by the momentum you are helping to create and sustain through personal advocacy.
Your letters and emails to elected officials are getting attention, so please keep that up until we tell you otherwise. Now would be a great time to write to Sens. Waggoner and Smitherman and Rep. Givan to thank them. You can find their addresses here.
Several alumni have hosted letter-writing gatherings around the state; if you need ideas for how to organize one of these events, reach out to alumni@bsc.edu.
Here on campus, meetings with students to discuss their academic status and transfer options have continued. Students, if you feel you need more information or want to revisit the discussion with your advisors, reach out them or to advisingfaq@bsc.edu.
The burning question on all minds is when will we know?
The answer is soon — but I cannot give you a firm date right now, though I can tell you it will not be before mid-March. This situation has a lot of moving parts, and as we gather steam, we are collecting allies, exploring all options, and making the most of every opportunity to make our case to those who can ensure our future.
I know it is hard to live with uncertainty, and I think about that every day as I meet with people and organizations whose support is critical not just to BSC, but to each of you.
Students, know that we have your back, and that should the worst happen, we will get you to the next stop on your path. Also know that we are doing everything possible to ensure that each of you finishes your education right here on the Hilltop.
Parents, know that we feel your concern, and that our top priority is your student’s success and well-being.
Faculty and staff, know that we are in this fight for and with you, and that your steady presence in this unsteady moment continues to deliver the BSC experience we promised to the young people in our collective care. We honor your devotion to your work and to our students. Thank you for keeping on keeping on.
Alumni, your support means the world to BSC in good times, and especially now during this challenging time. The significant uptick in alumni giving we have seen since December 16 — the day the story broke on al.com — demonstrates your deep loyalty to and faith in what BSC is and does.
The next couple of weeks will be every bit as busy as the last two. Let’s keep up the momentum and see this through to a win for BSC, for Birmingham, for Alabama, and for you.
Forward, Ever!
Daniel B. Coleman
President
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