Ruston and Baton Rouge may be 200 miles apart, but the universities serving the two cities have similar challenges and goals, said Chancellor Michael Martin on Thursday. Martin was accompanied by Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau as he discussed the state of higher education at the final Faculty Senate Chancellor Forum of the semester at the Shaver Theatre.Reneau spoke about past partnerships between the universities that lead to patents and research breakthroughs, and he highlighted potential partnerships for state energy issues.Martin opened the forum outlining growing skepticism from the public toward higher education, higher costs and educators  retiring as potential problems facing higher education.He also outlined strategies for improving LSU.More efficient spending in non-academic areas such as travel and supplies is imperative, Martin said.LSU officials project savings of $6.5 million through a state-mandated spending freeze and taking advantage of growing campus revenues.Martin then spoke about the concept of cutting programs to accentuate other programs in which the University can become a leader.”I want us to have programs at LSU of such a nature that when something happens in Indonesia … [someone] says ‘We ought to call LSU about this. That’s where the experts are,'” Martin said.Both administrators voiced their support for the LA GRAD Act, which could see tuition and fees at the University raised by 5 percent — in addition to the 5 percent raise already approved. It could  also mean annual 10 percent increases for years to come. “I support the GRAD Act 100 percent,” Reneau said. “The way we are going to get out of this is … on the backs of students, unfortunately. Good students will pay for a good education.”—-Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at [email protected]