University president supports efforts to stop landfill, rallying

 Since 1876, our mission has been focused on providing high caliber educational opportunities. The collective efforts of our faculty, staff, alumni and students allow us to stand as a beacon of light and refuge for thousands of men and women in their pursuit of knowledge and self-affirmation.
 Balancing academics with service and civic engagement are important to the education and success of our student body. I commend the leadership that the Student Government Association has offered related to the placement of the proposed landfill. As a body, you have organized rallies, conducted research about the effects of such an entity, drafted petitions and collected the required signatures as well as attended meetings to explore the issue and express your views.
As a historian, I too have concerns about the placement of such an establishment, namely- the possibility of adverse effects on the heritage and integrity of our institution, which ultimately could affect future enrollment and growth. Please know, the administration of Prairie View A&M University has been closely following the issues related to the landfill.
I firmly believe that students have an obligation to exercise their constitutional rights, and I am glad to see them organizing so that they can do so. Therefore, I stand in support of the student body as it fights against the placement of the Pintail Landfill. Students have a voice and they are exercising a very important right of citizenship. We want to do everything we can to support the students in their efforts.
Over the years, we have charted a new path with increased enrollment, introduced cutting-edge technology, developed new course offerings and expanded our campus with several state-of-the-art buildings. The stand you are taking ensures that these opportunities are available for future generations of young men and women.
It is this support and dedication of our student body, which points Prairie View A&M University toward a new level of excellence while upholding its rich legacy and focusing on its mission of excellence in teaching, research and service.