Student Government held a town hall meeting Monday to address Louisiana’s historic budget crisis. A panel made up of faculty, students and state legislators’ aides answered students’ questions.
LSU President F. King Alexander, a panelist at the event, said the cuts to the University are not something administrators would bluff about.
“I’m not toning this down,” said Alexander. “I’m telling the truth.”
Louisiana currently ranks 46th in the nation for state spending per student. Alexander said budget cuts would affect University accreditation, which would directly affect access to federal grants and loans.
Since 2008, the state budget has been cut 13 times, with the majority of cuts aimed toward higher education. In that time, Alexander said 75 programs have been eliminated, and the University faces a net loss of 220 faculty members.
Alexander also addressed the fears surrounding the future of TOPS, mentioning that 75 percent of TOPS funding for fall 2016 is not yet accounted for. Alexander voiced his frustration that the state currently spends more per prisoner than per student.
“This assumption that we operate like a state government where they can just cut a department is very difficult,” Alexander said.
At the same time, Louisiana gives out $13 billion in tax credits every year. Samantha Bopp, a legislative aide for Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, said the legislator plans to focus on repealing wasteful spending within these credits to provide TOPS funding.
While faculty continues to support students during this time, Staff Senate president Tammy Millican said faculty and staff members have been negatively stereotyped. Despite a lack of pay raises in the immediate future and a hiring freeze, Millican said staff works diligently to take on more responsibilities.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you we’re watching good [potential staff members] walk away,” Millican said.
So far, the legislature has approved a $300 million fix of settlement money from the 2010 BP oil spill, but legislators are still at odds when it comes to raising taxes.
Panelists agreed the best way for students to voice their concerns is by contacting their legislators.
“We need [students] to understand the severity of this,” Alexander said. “This is a crisis situation … and we need your help.”