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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAZZ FUNERAL PROTEST AND RALLY TO BE HELD AT UNO

New Orleans, LA. March 23^rd, 2010, 12:00 – 1:30

(March 17, 2010) The higher education system in Louisiana is being killed! SAVE UNO, a coalition of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of the University of New Orleans will be holding a Jazz Funeral and Rally against the budget cuts to UNO and other colleges/universities across the state, and in support of political reforms that will restore funding to higher education in Louisiana in the short and long term. The Jazz Funeral will begin at the University Center at 12 noon, march through campus, and culminate with a rally on the Quad in front of the UNO Library. All students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of UNO are invited to attend and support public higher education in the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana.

Speakers Include:

• James Perry, Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center and former candidate for Mayor of New Orleans
• Rafael Delgadillo, UNO alumnus and non-profit activist
• Anna Hackman, UNO Graduate Student

In 1958, the University of New Orleans opened its doors with the clear mandate of bringing “public-supported higher education to Louisiana's largest urban community." In little over a year, the state of Louisiana, led by Governor Jindal, has threatened that mission and undermined “public support” for UNO by cutting the budget for higher education by nearly $250 million dollars, with promises of more cuts to come. These cuts are occurring in a state that desperately needs more funding for higher education and ranks near the bottom of virtually every educational indicator, which threatens higher education across the state. This, in turn, undermines Louisiana’s economic future. In order for the state to attract companies that offer good jobs, we need a labor force that is educationally equipped for the 21^st century. Our political leaders must stop cuts to higher education – stop undermining the state’s future – and reform the state constitution so that higher education is protected and supported in both the short and long term.

UNO, which saw its enrollment and budget decimated after Hurricane Katrina, has thus far been able to maintain its reputation as a place where a rigorous education can be obtained at a reasonable cost. That reputation and reality is being threatened on both ends: on the one hand, class sizes are increasing, class offerings are decreasing, and UNO is able to offer less and less in the way of programs, technology, and a college experience. On the other hand, as they receive less, students see their tuition and fees increase, which makes higher education less and less accessible for the average citizen. This Rally demands a different vision of higher education.

For more information, contact

• Jessie Jacobs, (504) 298-8504, e-mail: jjjacobs@uno.edu, or
• Steve Striffler, (504) 280-3305, e-mail: sstriffl@uno.edu

ENDS