Students will see an increase in fees, the elimination of several scholarship programs, larger class sizes and elimination of student jobs if the University’s state support is cut by the proposed nearly $50 million, according to the University’s 2009-10 budget released this afternoon.
Submitted to the LSU System for review, the budget is the first draft of what will eventually be presented to the House Appropriations Committee on April 21. Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed state spending budget has higher education taking a $219 million reduction for the fiscal year that begins July 1, on top of the now permanent $55 million mid-year cut, to help make up for slacking state revenue.
If his budget is approved by the Legislature, whose session begins April 27, the University will have to cut about $50 million from its budget – a reduction that would set the University back decades, said Chancellor Michael Martin.
“A budget like this breaks a covenant between the state of Louisiana and students who have worked hard to get here,” Martin said.
Layoffs and elimination of vacant faculty and staff positions at the University would total nearly 400, according to the budget draft.
The Bengal Legacy Scholarships for Non-Resident Sons and Daughters of LSU Graduates, the Board of Supervisors Scholarships and the Louisiana Freshman Merit Award would be eliminated.
Student fees for Residential Housing, the Student Health Center, LSU Union, and Parking, Traffic & Transportation will increase. ——Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]