Wednesday, November 30, 2011
EDUCATION
The Daily Reveille
page 3
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
Commission plans to restructure higher ed Legislature must approve changes
better serve our state’s citizens.” But without the authority to give money to universities, management boards at the system level, like the Board of Supervisors, may argue this move takes away Andrea Gallo their prime jurisdiction over uniStaff Writer versities, Droddy said. The LSU System Board of The board’s recommendaSupervisors could lose its au- tions also would give universities thority to award money to the the ability to sidestep the LegUniversity after the Governance islature and instead raise tuition Commission adopted a proposal by empowering higher education Tuesday that would create a con- managing boards with tuition austitutional amendment to give thority through a policy set up by budgetary authority the Board of the board. Regents. And while universities could The constitutional amend- more easily tack numbers onto ment, with the other 21 proposals their tuition price tags, students the board adopted, must be ap- could also lose TOPS dollars. proved by the Louisiana LegislaTOPS money is currently corture. related with tuition costs, meaning Jason Droddy, director of students who attend more expenexternal affairs, said this consti- sive public universities qualify for tutional amendment “changes more tuition relief from TOPS. everything” in terms of higher The board proposed separateducation alignment in the state. ing TOPS money from tuition Droddy said the board’s argument costs, which could put TOPS at a to gain control over the budget fixed rate that is not dependent on is that it canthe university a stunot be held acdent attends, Droddy countable for said. its decisions Securing legislaif its money is tive approval for all shuffled at the of these proposals lower system could be a difficult level. task, Droddy said, “The clear because the Legismessage we lature has rejected received from plans to make one the legislative higher education Greg Davis authors of the governing board in resolution cre- Governance Commission chairman the past. ating this com“The Legislature mission is that stronger account- hasn’t been keen on a single board ability and efficiency is critical to or on changing board power,” the future success of postsecond- Droddy said. ary education, and we certainly Additionally, the board’s recconcur,” said Governance Com- ommendations included making mission Chairman Greg Davis in a the Board of Regents accountable news release. “These recommen- for higher education performance dations warrant immediate con- instead of creating a higher edusideration and action by the Loui- cation governing board, recognizsiana Legislature and the higher ing the board’s funding formula education community in order to as a recommendation tool and
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‘Stronger accountability and efficiency is critical to the future success of postsecondary education.’
BRIANNA PACIORKA / The Daily Reveille
The Lil Final Boyz, center, and friends do the Les Miles clap Tuesday while filming for the new Finals Week video.
distribution model for systems and aligning universities under the appropriate governing board. “This commission has acted with great fidelity and concern for what really matters — providing quality higher education opportunities that assist students in achieving the American dream of a college degree,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Jim Purcell in the release. “I think these strategic recommendations, if adopted by the Legislature, will increase our transparency, boost the performance of our colleges and universities, and create the authority necessary for the Board of Regents to drive the improvements our citizens and policy makers demand.”
Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com
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