The LSU System Board of Supervisors took steps to strengthen the University on Friday by approving resolutions that further autonomy and set up a new nursing degree.
The board passed a resolution to give LSU System President John Lombardi the authority to grant an initial base level of autonomy to LSU institutions. The opportunity to gain some measure of autonomy is outlined in the LA GRAD Act 2.0, legislation passed by the state legislature last session.
The newly acquired autonomy will allow LSU institutions the ability to exercise more freedom from state agencies. The LSU System will now be able to retain unspent funds at the end of a fiscal year, execute individual contracts up to $49,999 in a 12-month period without further review by the state’s Office of Contractual Review and dispose of obsolete equipment without first getting the approval of another state agency, according to Charles Zewe, LSU System vice president for communication.
University officials predict LSU’s main campus will save more than $52 million over five years due to the operational freedoms autonomy would allow the campus.
“This has been a long time coming and we certainly hope to reach the savings estimated,” Zewe said.
In other business, the board approved a resolution to establish a doctorate degree in nursing practice at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. The degree is in demand and will help the University stay competitive, said Stephen Perry, vice chair of the academic and student affairs, achievement and distinction committee. The board did not specify when the future degree will be available for students to pursue.
“We’re very happy to have this prized degree on the way to availability at LSU,” Perry said.
The board also received a progress report on the building process for the University Medical Center. The $1.1 billion project is set to be built in New Orleans and will have 424 bed spaces, according to Board of Supervisors member Bobby Yarborough. The teaching hospital is slated to be completed in February 2015.
 
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Contact Josh Naquin at [email protected]