Consolidation Might Be a Good Option

Legislators consider college consolidation to save money

By JORDAN BLUM
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Feb 13, 2009 - Page: 6A - UPDATED: 12:20 a.m.

Lawmakers on Thursday discussed the possibility of restructuring higher education and consolidating some colleges.

A recurring assessment voiced by some legislators was that it was a mistake to morph LSU at Alexandria, called LSU-A, from a community college into a four-year university in 2001.
State college leaders met with the state Senate Finance Committee Thursday to discuss the budget cuts and possible restructuring.

State Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Meaux, said the time is now for seriously discussing consolidating schools and reorganizing college systems. “The reasons these systems were created was for power – political power,” Gautreaux said. “People in this state are tired of the rhetoric from everybody.”

Citing a potential $1.2 billion budget drop in state general fund revenue, the Governor’s Office alerted colleges of the possibility of cutting $212 million to $382 million for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1. That roughly represents a 12 to 30 percent range of the state’s $1.4 billion appropriation to colleges.

State Commissioner of Higher Education Sally Clausen said she is willing to make hard decisions on possible restructuring. “But it is only irresponsible for me to recommend it when we don’t have a number,” Clausen said.

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s executive budget with recommended cuts is due March 13. Jindal said he does not expect colleges will be cut as badly as 30 percent.

“The conversation will get very specific very fast once there’s a number,” said LSU System President John Lombardi. “You don’t want to target people you’re not going to actually have to kill.”
The saving grace for colleges may come from the federal government, legislators said.

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