SHREVEPORT — Changes are on the horizon for both the University and the LSU system after the January Board of Supervisors meeting.
The subject of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s potential budget cuts loomed throughout the meeting.
All public comments, as well as the presentation by LSU-Shreveport Chancellor Larry Clark, addressed the topic.
“We’re very grateful to the WISE fund and concerned about whether or not it will continue,” Clark said, adding that the looming budget cuts are adding pressure to the campus as their accreditation approaches.
LSU President F. King Alexander cautioned members not to take the issue lightly.
He likened the cuts not to a loaded gun, but a loaded cannon.
“We outperform our peers in so many areas, but we certainly don’t outspend them,” Alexander said. “[These cuts] mean 2000 less graduates in la in state that ranks 49th in our country this needs to be mitigated in more ways than one. This can’t continue.”
The Board approved new LSU football defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s two-year, $1 million contract and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron’s two-year, $450,000 contract.
At the recommendation of Chairman Scott Ballard, the Board approved two agenda items from the Finance, Infrastructure and Core Development Committee.
The Board will continue to issue revenue and refunding bonds on behalf of the University. The funds generated by these bonds will finance or reimburse four campus projects.
Three of those projects will provide additional on-campus housing for the University.
These funds will contribute to the planning, design and construction of a new family housing complex for students with spouses and children. They also will fund the second of two new undergraduate residence halls and a renovation of Evangeline Residence Hall.
“It’s a good problem,” Ballard said. “We have a lot of people that want to come to school, we can’t house them, so it’s good to see.”
In addition to the housing projects, the funds also will contribute to the complete expansion and renovation of the Student Health Center.
After some debate, the Board also approved a cooperative endeavor agreement with Shorelight Education, LLC.
The agreement will expand the University’s international presence into 150 countries.
International recruiting is a big part of the University’s admission team’s focus, Ballard said, adding that international students will create diversity on campus as well as bring in more revenue.
The report to the Board says Shorelight will absorb all upfront cost of the endeavor and will be funded with 50 percent of surplus revenue generated by their recruiting after recuperating their initial investment.
The report estimated over $130 million generated for the University after 10 years, and that the number of international students would be tripled.
“We’ve been working with this group for the last several months and we’re finalizing the term of a co-op endeavor,” said Daniel Layzell, vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. “Part of the urgency here is we are looking to get the recruiting efforts up and going this spring.”
Executive Vice President and Provost Stuart Bell said the program was driven from an academic standpoint.
Bell said there are two ways to prepare students for a global experience — sending them on study abroad trips and cultivating diversity at home.