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S O U T H E R N
O F F I C E
U N I V E R S I T Y
S Y S T E M
NEWS
Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2010
O F
T H E
P R E S I D E N T
President’s Message Dear Southernites:
As the fall semester and year 2010 comes to an end, I am pleased to share that “Project Posi4ve Direc4on,” the first step to enhance and improve the Southern University System, is making steady progress and mee4ng planned targets . We are answering our challenges head-on and we are gaining ground on urgent priori4es. We have implemented strategies to right size our opera4on to meet budget threats and to reposi4on the SU System to operate more efficiently. To help lay the groundwork for the plan, Kevin Appleton, a former vice president for finance and administra4on at Alcorn State University, was hired as the new vice president for finance and business affairs for the SU System. Appleton is the principal figure to help transform our financial opera4ons into a business model. Filling key posi4ons is a cri4cal part of our streamlining strategy. Joining Southern University a%er a na4onal search is Tony Moore, System vice president for informa4on and technology management. Moore, a SU graduate, has more than 16 years in informa4on technology management including four years as chief informa4on officer for Baton Rouge Community College. While considerable “Project Posi4ve Direc4on” achievements have been realized in this short term and other important accomplishments have helped to stabilize the ship’s sailing and give us much needed hope, we are s4ll naviga4ng turbulent waters. We face difficult financial 4mes and unfortunate circumstances rela4ve to the survival of the Southern University System. The upcoming Louisiana legisla4ve session will be an intense struggle for scarce resources, and Southern will have to stand united and well organized. In light of our current circumstances, we are sounding the alarm. “Save Our Southern” (S.O.S.) is a drive to help us combat budget cuts and replenish resources to lessen the effects of reduced state appropria4ons. The future of the Southern that we love is literally in your hands. We know how to navigate to the calm seas of a bright future, but we must stay afloat in the storm. We need your help to survive the poli4cs and budget cuts, as we reposi4on Southern to be a global leader in higher educa4on. Go to our home page, www.sus.edu and click on the “Save Our Southern” link to find out how you can help with a dona4on or by contac4ng legislators. We will get through the difficult tough 4mes and with your help, we will preserve our history and protect our future. Seasons Gree4ngs, Dr. Ronald Mason Jr., J.D. President