SWAU President Meets with Congressman Barton
Debbie Battin, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Congressman Joe Barton of the Sixth District of Texas, met with University President, Donald R. Sahly, to discuss the issues surrounding government funding for private education. Sahly was asked by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) to appeal to his congressman regarding Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, and the LEAP (Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships) and other government funded educational subsidies. “Every year the government meets to address budget cuts, and federal funding to private colleges comes up to be decreased,” said Sahly. “We can’t afford these to be dropped, because it makes it less affordable for students to come to our private schools.”
Sahly requested that Congressman Barton speak in favor of at least maintaining but preferably increasing the levels of federal funding for student financial aid. According to the NAICU, the most important task for Congress, is the reauthorizing of the Higher Education Act which helps students to get a college education despite economic circumstances. “Congressman Barton agreed to take our requests to Washington,” said Sahly “I believe he understands the issues at stake, and will speak on behalf of the private school sector.”