LSU Chancellor Michael Martin announced last week that the outcome of the 2011 Louisiana state legislative session was favorable for LSU.
Three passed bills and one denied bill will affect University funding.
A tuition increase authorized last year under the original LA GRAD Act received legislative approval.
The act will help LSU adjust tuition fees to mirror other state schools. The bill gives University management the authority to increase tuition up to 10 percent as long as LSU meets performance goals.
The increase will allow LSU to raise tuition from $5,764 to $6,350 this fall.
Martin said increases may strain students but are important for the University’s long-term success and growth.
“No one likes tuition increases, but LSU students can be assured that every dollar is going to maintain quality education. LSU remains one of the best bargains for a national university and provides a disproportionate amount of need-based aid,” Martin said in an email to The Daily Reveille.
LA GRAD Act 2.0 was also passed this session with an overwhelming 37-1 vote. It will also give the University autonomy, which will help save money on bulk purchasing, contracts and other projects.
Martin said in a broadcast email to faculty and staff that the bill’s success was imperative.
“The passage of this critical initiative means that LSU will be able to exercise operational autonomies that will lower the cost of our business operations and allow us to direct funding back to our academic core,” Martin said.
Retirement plans for University employees will remain the same.
Several bills were set to increase contribution rates and alter benefit calculation. However, the bills were not approved.
The University also received funding to purchase additional land around South Campus and to renovate the French House and art buildings.
An additional 100 acres south of the University on Nicholson Drive near Gardere Lane will be used to build 3.1 million square feet of new facilities.
 
 
—–
Contact Laura Furr at [email protected]