The Board of Regents unanimously approved a graduate certificate program at LSU in climatology and climate change at its monthly meeting Thursday. The program will aim to provide a ready workforce to combat climate change’s projected effects on Louisiana’s coast.
Currently, LSU students who want to study climatology must major in geography with a concentration in climatology.
“[The program] will focus on a topic relevant to the state of Louisiana because climate change might affect hurricane activity,” said Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs Jeannine Kahn.
Kahn said the rising sea levels brought on by climate change are expected to influence coastal communities, and low-lying New Orleans is a specific area of concern for climatologists.
Later in the meeting, the Board of Regents Finance Committee addressed shortfalls in the state budget and its effects on higher education.
The total higher education budget in Louisiana, at $2.6 billion, draws 50 percent of its funds from tuition, fees and revenue from universities, said Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration Barbara Goodson.
Goodson said tuition and fees have increased and state support has decreased over the past eight years, while Chairman Roy Martin said he hopes state budget woes bypass higher education.
“There is a looming budget shortfall that we all have to face,” Martin said.
He added that lawmakers projected oil prices at $62 per barrel for the current year, but they currently sit at $45, adding to the state deficit.
Associate Commissioner for Sponsored Programs Administration Carrie Robison said budget shortages would likely cause a decrease in the Board of Regents Support Fund income.
The Support Fund backs research programs, such as Awards to Louisiana Artists and Scholars, as well as graduate fellowships, endowed chairs for professors and endowed scholarships for students.
“The state treasury is indicating we’ll see far lower budget levels than we’ve seen recently,” Robison said.

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Nicholas Martino

Louisiana Board of Regents' Committee Chair, Roy O. Martin, III (Left), along with other members, discussed looming state budget problems on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at the Claiborne Building.