LSU Student President Begs Bobby Jindal To Stay In Louisiana

Louisiana State University Student President J Hudson wondered why it was so difficult to get a meeting with Gov. Bobby Jindal to talk about the issues concerning Louisiana's beleaguered higher education system.

Then he realized: it was because Jindal was so rarely in the state he governs.

So Hudson took matters into his own hands, composing a letter and sending it to the newspapers of states Jindal was visiting.

The letter was printed in New Hampshire's Keene Sentinel.

The Daily Reveille has what it said:

"Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is spending more time in your state than the one he was elected to represent," Hudson wrote in the letter, titled "Attention Gov. Jindal" and sent to newspapers in New York, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio and New Hampshire. "We want to know why he's not devoting all his time to the future of his state and its young people."

After informing the papers' residents of Louisiana's higher education budget plight, Hudson addressed Jindal directly.

"On behalf of the students whose hopes for a brighter future will soon be crushed, I beg you to return to Louisiana and fix your state's serious problems. You've neglected your constituents long enough," Hudson wrote. "You'll have a much better chance of becoming president if you save, instead of destroy, Louisiana's universities."

According to the Associated Press, Louisiana has had to cope with $280 million in education budget cuts and faces additional cuts of $290 million or more.

Jindal was in Wisconsin Monday. He has denied a 2012 bid for the presidency.

What do you think of Hudson's letter? Weigh in below.

Comments

[Stacey Scott]

12:43 PM on 11/08/2010

LMAO.. And this is the man that wants to be President one day and his constituent can't reach him in the office. You have to multi task mr. jindal. Less government doesn't mean less time in the office.

[lodger16x]

02:13 AM on 10/20/2010

Little states like New Hampshire and Iowa get a lot of media tourism dollars from prospective presidential candidates coming to visit.
Iowa gets to hear every candidate from both parties visit every diner in Iowa to talk about how "Big Gummin" corn subsidies are the key to America's future.
If the first primary was in Vermont, our cars would be running on maple syrup!

[boomcat44]

01:15 AM on 10/20/2010

Now ya done it, kid.
You're on "THE LIST".
Watch yourself.

[carolina919]

06:48 PM on 10/19/2010

As a southern progressive I'm of two minds about this. On the one hand Bobby Jindal is just the kind of candidate we need (as a foil) in 2012. But on the other hand, I have to say, we join you in urging Gov Jindall to "go home". The Republican party can only stand just so many half term or half hearted Governors and I think you all are already "full up" for this century.

[sj2010]

06:42 PM on 10/19/2010

Jindal's a tool thats why hes not sticking around in lousiana. what do you expect from a guy that forsaked his hertiage, his ideas, his beliefs, his background, and ethnicity. You think he would do a good job as governor? he became yes man thinking he can get ahead, but what he'll soon realize that if your just a yes man thats all you'll be and you'll never be respected or appreciated. thats why hes not in lousiana, the GOP wants him to stump for them. Being a man who gave up his beliefs just to fit in he obliges. the guy has no spine and is incapable of thinking for himself.

[DrObvious]

05:44 PM on 10/19/2010

Perhaps he could get Tim Pawlenty to stay in Minnesota, Sarah Palin to stay in Alaska, Mitt Romney to stay in Massachusetts, and Polanski to go back to California to face charges for doping and raping a young girl.

THAT would be impressive

[TeeSC]

04:58 PM on 10/19/2010

I, too, am hoping jindal stays where he is. Sorry Louisiana! :-(

[kapalabhati]

12:48 PM on 10/19/2010

So is the rest of the nation.

[iowamiddleguy]

09:15 AM on 10/19/2010

I am sure gov. jindal was up there talking about how cutting taxes will make our country great..... and if by great he means less educated than he may be right!

Good to see the students stepping up and taking an interest. higher ed is going to be a mess if the tax cutting continues!

[corwin]

04:46 PM on 10/19/2010

Right. Higher taxes means Higher salaries for teachers.High tax states,like NY,CAL, Illinois have students who out perform the norm.But,they don't do as well as DC!
Oh? Are you sure?
Sorry.

[corwin]

04:50 PM on 10/19/2010

BY the way,does anyone know the salary of LSU's president ?Perhaps,instead of asking for more state money,people there could take a pay cut.

[jukesgrrl]

07:22 PM on 10/19/2010

Les Miles - Head Football Coach, $3.9 MILLION per year, not counting perks
John Chavis - Defensive Coordinator/linebackers Coach, $450,000 per year (and an increase to $700,000 per year was recently approved)
J. Stanley "Skip" Bertman - Athletic Director, $425,000 per year
Gary Crowton, Assistant Head Football Coach, LSU - $400,000 (no doubt to be raised soon in keeping with Chavis' salary)
Other assistant football coaches making approximately $200,000 per year

Now you wanna talk about the president? He makes just a bit more than the athletic director.

[sb2004]

01:14 AM on 10/20/2010

It wasn't the LSU President. It was the Student Government President...a student.

Les Miles is mostly compensated by TAF (Tigers Athletic Foundation) which is funded by private donations and not fully by the state budget (don't know why because no one likes him).

Majority of LSU's foreign language programs have been cut or reduced significantly. A huge chunk of our English teachers recently received termination letters. This is a REAL CRISIS and I applaud J for the noble actions he took especially since they went against his own political beliefs.