What's the relief plan LSU?

United Campus Workers-Louisiana, Local 3465, Communication Workers of America

April 20, 2020

Rep. Steve Scalise, 2338 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-3015

Rep. Cedric Richmond, 420 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-6636

Rep. Clay Higgins, 1711 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-2031

Rep. Mike Johnson, 327 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-2777

Rep. Ralph Abraham, 417 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-8490

Rep. Garret Graves, 430 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 225-3901

Sen. Bill Cassidy, 703 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-5824

Sen. John Kennedy, B11 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-4623

Dear Sirs:

 We represent employees at LSU and other Louisiana universities, and on their behalf thank you for passing the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.” It provides much needed emergency relief amounting to $147.1 million for Louisiana.

 We ask that you encourage the Louisiana Board of Regents to ensure that those funds are distributed in a transparent manner that is responsive to student needs. LSU alone will receive $18.9 million, of which the act stipulates half is for direct emergency relief to undergraduate and graduate students.

 We have become concerned because LSU management has not sought input from students as to their needs, despite many other universities around the country doing so. Nor has LSU management even announced a top-down, unilateral plan to distribute the funds as rapidly as possible, again in contrast to many other universities around the country. Instead, LSU has refused to refund student parking, rec center, and other fees despite the closure of the campus.

 We hope that you all will reiterate to the Louisiana Board of Regents the stipulations attached to this federal funding. Its intended use is to meet the urgent needs of many students impacted by this crisis. Its conditions include the continued payment of university employees. And it requires maintenance of state effort.

The taxpayers have entrusted the Board of Regents and LSU management with these funds and, in return, have the right to transparency so that we can be assured they are being used lawfully and expeditiously.

 Sincerely,

 UCW-LA Steering Committee

 CC       Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education, Board of Regents, 1201 N. Third St., Suite 6-200, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

 Governor John Bel Edwards, Office of the Governor, PO Box 94004, Baton Rouge, LA 70804

 The Advocate, 10705 Rieger Rd. Baton Rouge, LA

The Reveille, B-16 Hodges Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803