University Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jack Hamilton was accompanied by 140 empty chairs Monday in an attempt to dispel common “myths” regarding the budget crisis in a speech to the Baton Rouge Press Club.
As the future of the University’s budget rests in the hands of politicians over the next six months, Hamilton called the address “LSU’s own version of Myth-Busters.”
Hamilton used the 140 empty chairs at hand to illustrate his first point: that the University is not “fat” or unharmed by budget cuts.
“Count, and you’ll find 140 seats, representing the 140 faculty positions eliminated at LSU since the budget cuts began,” Hamilton said. “That’s 140 faculty who could be teaching class, producing research, winning federal grants and shaping students’ lives.”
Hamilton also made comparisons illustrating the University’s lean administration, claiming the University has a lower percentage of employees paid above $100,000 than Angola Prison.
Hamilton then moved to dispel claims that budget cuts haven’t made a difference to the University, giving examples like the reduced foreign language offerings and reductions in music scholarships.
Next on Hamilton’s list of myths was the notion the University’s faculty and staff won’t leave because “everyone is in this boat.”
“In the past year, LSU has lost two deans to deanships at universities with better resources,” Hamilton said. “These aren’t even promotions, just lateral moves. Some of our best faculty members are being poached by other universities with offers of bigger salaries, better laboratory space, research support and the promise of greater financial stability.”
Hamilton cited the University’s 61 percent graduation rate as evidence the University is performing satisfactorily and is a good investment for the state.
Hamilton ended the address by illustrating the damage potential cuts would cause to the University.
“We have proven we can get better, and we want to continue to get better,” Hamilton said. “But if we stay on our current course, LSU will exist as only an insignificant university with a good football team.”
 
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Contact Xerxes A. Wilson at [email protected]