WEST MONROE (AP) — Louisiana College asked for approval Monday from the Louisiana Baptist Convention to ask for $12 million from the organization’s member churches.

Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard told the group about 12 percent of the Pineville college’s funding comes from the convention.

He said the college has grown by 50 percent since 2006.

The Town Talk reports the $12 million is part of the college’s $50 million capital campaign for improvements across the campus.

The private Baptist college can approach the 1,500 Louisiana Baptist Convention churches for the donations over the next five years upon full approval from the convention.

The money would be used to improve student housing.

Aguillard said every housing unit on campus is to be renovated. Restrooms and technology in student housing also will be updated. He said about 80 percent of the student body at Louisiana College is in inadequate housing.

The $50 million total campaign is to be collected over 10 to 15 years. The remaining $38 million will go for academics, athletics and infrastructure, Aguillard said.

He said the capital campaign likely will start in 2013.

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Information from: Alexandria Daily Town Talk, http://www.thetowntalk.com