Plans to privatize the University’s child care center, which drew quick, cautious scrutiny from faculty-parents when announced last November, is moving forward with finding a suitable partner to operate the center.

During Friday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, members voiced their support for the plans to enter into a private-public partnership, which may save the University money as the current, LSU-run center is a “break-even” operation.

But, LSU President F. King Alexander said, “this is not simply an issue of efficiency.”

The board members maintained the move is aimed more at improving the services for students, and Alexander said it would help recruit and retain faculty and students with children.

Dan Layzell, vice president for finance and administration, is heading the project, and will look for a partner in the coming months, adding it “behooves” the University to go forth with the plan. The University expects to find a partner by early April.

The current child care center, which operates under Auxiliary Services, has had a long waiting list and leadership issues, but a low student-to-teacher ratio. Some faculty-parents feared that ratio could rise under a private partner, whose goal would be to turn a profit.

But board members pointed out a partnership could serve more students and parents.

“This is absolutely vital in recruitment and retainment of our faculty and staff,” Alexander said.

The board was also updated on the $86 million expansion of the UREC, which is on schedule to be completed in early 2017.

New recreation fields, tennis courts and parking have already been completed in the student fee-funded project. Students self-imposed the fee last year to fund the project.
“I’d much rather have them there than Tigerland,” Alexander said.