A letter from Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne to public university system leaders across the state Thursday evening informed them state higher education faces a potential $131 million reduction in state funding.

According to the letter, higher education and healthcare stand to take the brunt of a projected $262 million budget shortfall.  

The letter requests that system leaders submit a budget reduction plan as soon as possible.

The LSU System’s operations would bear approximately $65 million of the state’s budget shortfall, according to an LSU Budget Hub update from LSU President F. King Alexander sent to students Friday morning.

Alexander said in the update that he would submit a general plan within the next four days, which would be developed by “working collaboratively with campus stakeholders.”

The update also outlined Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to stabilize the budget using a combination of one-time money and revenues which would prevent mid-year cuts to higher education.
“It’s unfortunate that Louisiana’s budget is in this condition, but Gov. Edwards remains committed to prioritizing higher education and is putting every funding option on the table in order to avoid cuts,” Alexander said in the update.