Halfway through LSU President F. King Alexander’s first full semester at the University, he is looking to the future of higher education and the University.
Alexander spoke Wednesday at the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge and emphasized the importance of investing in a higher education, saying students should remain engaged and encouraging Rotary Club members to invest in University students.
He said the University is taking action to refine and prioritize its resources.
Although the nation is seeing a trend of college cost and student indebtedness, Alexander said the University is not a part of this problem, saying with TOPS, the average student is paying about $1,000 a year in tuition and fees.
“The value of an LSU degree has never been greater,” Alexander said.
His plan is to have the University lead the effort in improving higher education on a national level.
In his speech, Alexander also addressed the faculty loss in the University and a different hiring strategy.
There are currently 108 searches underway — 24 are spillovers from last year, six are for dean positions and the rest are faculty replacements.
Instead of simply replacing all positions across the board, this year the University is strategically hiring based on University needs.
Thus, while business, engineering and STEM programs are growing, the University will hire more professors in these departments, reducing class sizes and adding to the faculty.
“Students are sensitive to the market,” Alexander said.
“The value of an LSU degree has never been greater.”

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Richard Redmann

LSU president and chancellor F. King Alexander speaks before the Baton Rouge Rotary Club on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013 at Boudreaux's.