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Dear BSC Community:
As our students depart campus for spring break, I know everyone is anxious for an update and even more anxious for a concrete answer. I write to provide that update, though we do not yet have a concrete answer.
This week, the Alabama Legislature advanced a plan to spend the state’s $1B-plus allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act on water and sewer projects, broadband access and reimbursements to health care entities such as hospitals, nursing homes, state veterans homes, and the health insurance programs for state and public education employees. The plan also calls for allocations to programs that support food banks, housing assistance, and other community-based services.
Those federal funds were appropriated by Congress two years ago to help states recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and while educational entities were included under previous allocation guidelines, the state did not include education in this last tranche of funding. That was a disappointment, though the projects in the plan are certainly deserving.
As we have done each time a door has closed, we have shifted our focus in partnership with our allies in Montgomery and Birmingham as well as with key legislators.
The next step for the Legislature is a special session to determine how to spend the $2.8 billion surplus in the Education Trust Fund. Funding from that source for private institutions happens every year in Alabama, and we are continuing to make the case that our one-time ask — now $30 million, since ARPA is now not an option — is a great investment for the state.
To that end, we’ve been working hard to keep BSC visible in the minds of elected officials and their constituents.
• Eleven top corporate leaders sent a joint letter to the Jefferson County legislative delegation last week and was covered by the Birmingham Business Journal and al.com.
• A guest opinion on al.com by BSC Trustee Vicki VanValkenburgh ’88 has had nearly 1,300 shares so far.
• Another by Graham Spencer ’16 on al.com asks (and answers) the key question: Can Alabama afford to lose its future BSC graduates?
Other supportive statements and letters are in the works. And all 140 members of the Alabama Legislature received a hand-delivered copy of Southern magazine this week along with a personal note from me. You can find more guest opinions and news stories about our efforts on the BSC Blog.
The BSC community has been a big help in our efforts through letters, calls, emails, social media posts and shares, and guest opinions in publications around the state. We know that legislators are seeing those messages, so please keep it up. Even if you’ve reached out before, reach out again over the weekend and through next week as the Legislature focuses on the Education Trust Fund. Visit bsc.edu for updated information to use in your messaging.
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.
So when will we know?
By the end of March, our Board of Trustees must make a decision about BSC’s future because we have to give students time to decide where to transfer and help faculty and staff prepare for a change none of us wants to make. The Board has been steady, thoughtful, and strategic throughout this situation, and we are fortunate to have this group of smart, dedicated, and generous leaders at this critical moment in the College’s history.
We know this ongoing uncertainty is exhausting and stressful for everyone. But know that we are still in this fight, and that the small group on the front line spends every day vetting options, answering questions from understandably worried people who love the College, and rallying support for the bridge funding we must have while we raise the endowment that will sustain BSC going forward.
Last Tuesday, our Religious Life program organized a gathering at the Edwards Bell Tower on the quad that was attended by about 100 students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Prayers from a range of faith traditions were offered — for calm in this challenging time, for strength as we face the coming days, and for discernment among those in a position to decide our fate. We know that many who could not attend in person paused at that moment wherever they were and offered similar prayers.
That gathering speaks volumes about who we are — a community of people who believe that the world is better with BSC in it because of what BSC people bring to the world. Let’s remain calm and strong as we move together toward what we still believe will be brighter days.
Forward, Ever!
Daniel B. Coleman
President
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