Higher education leaders delivered a united message Monday: further reductions in state funding will hinder the ability of Louisiana小蝌蚪APP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, 小蝌蚪APP of Louisiana System president; Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, 小蝌蚪APP 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. 小蝌蚪APP淭his is a Louisiana problem, one that will reverberate far beyond the higher education system,小蝌蚪APP she said.
Savoie noted that UL Lafayette produces about 3,000 graduates each year 小蝌蚪APP渨ho are the backbone of the workforce of this community.小蝌蚪APP He also cited the regional economic impact of the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 roughly 18,000 students, which has been estimated at about $360 million each year.
小蝌蚪APP淚t小蝌蚪APP檚 more than just the issues that are facing the colleges and our day-to-day operations. It小蝌蚪APP檚 really about the economic vitality of a region,小蝌蚪APP Savoie said.
Woodley said Louisiana needs more education, not less. 小蝌蚪APP淓ven if some of our institutions receive a 5 or 10 percent cut, the margin小蝌蚪APP檚 so thin, it could be very detrimental to their ability to provide quality programming,小蝌蚪APP 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 小蝌蚪APP of Louisiana System .
Photo info: Panelists, left to right, were Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, 小蝌蚪APP president; Dr. King Alexander, LSU president; Dr. Sandra Woodley, 小蝌蚪APP of Louisiana System president; Dr. Natalie Harder, South Louisiana Community College president; and Dr. Joseph Rallo, state commissioner of higher education.