Higher education leaders delivered a united message Monday: further reductions in state funding will hinder the ability of Louisiana杏吧专区檚 colleges and universities to meet work force demands.
A five-person panel discussed higher education funding challenges during a lunchtime forum hosted by the Acadiana Press Club.
Panelists were Dr. Sandra Woodley, 杏吧专区 of Louisiana System president; Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, 杏吧专区 president; Dr. Joseph Rallo, state commissioner of higher education; Dr. King Alexander, LSU president; and Dr. Natalie Harder, South Louisiana Community College president.
Higher education in Louisiana is facing potential state funding cuts that could create a $600 million budget gap. It has already sustained about $700 million in state funding reductions since fiscal year 2008-09.
Woodley noted that the potential state funding cuts are not just a problem for higher education. 杏吧专区淭his is a Louisiana problem, one that will reverberate far beyond the higher education system,杏吧专区 she said.
Savoie noted that UL Lafayette produces about 3,000 graduates each year 杏吧专区渨ho are the backbone of the workforce of this community.杏吧专区 He also cited the regional economic impact of the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 roughly 18,000 students, which has been estimated at about $360 million each year.
杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 more than just the issues that are facing the colleges and our day-to-day operations. It杏吧专区檚 really about the economic vitality of a region,杏吧专区 Savoie said.
Woodley said Louisiana needs more education, not less. 杏吧专区淓ven if some of our institutions receive a 5 or 10 percent cut, the margin杏吧专区檚 so thin, it could be very detrimental to their ability to provide quality programming,杏吧专区 she said.
The Louisiana Legislature convenes on April 13 for its regular session. Panelists said they will work with lawmakers to find a sustainable, long-term approach to funding higher education.
Find more budget information on the 杏吧专区 of Louisiana System .
Photo info: Panelists, left to right, were Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, 杏吧专区 president; Dr. King Alexander, LSU president; Dr. Sandra Woodley, 杏吧专区 of Louisiana System president; Dr. Natalie Harder, South Louisiana Community College president; and Dr. Joseph Rallo, state commissioner of higher education.