LSU Chancellor: “It will be like the Flagship Agenda never happened”
LSU has already lost $42 million in state appropriations since January 2009. The state is asking LSU to prepare for another $62 million next year.
It took six years to chip away at the Flagship Agenda goals, and it could all be wiped away in 22 months.
LSU had a goal to increase faculty positions by 150, and in 22 months, the university has eliminated 140. This destroys all of the progress in reducing the student-faculty ratio and increasing research productivity. Access to courses will be more difficult, meaning graduation times could be affected.
Adding to the problem is the fact that LSU, like all other universities, has suffered a loss of endowment income because of the faltering national economy. To overcome a $62 million cut, LSU’s endowment would have to increase by $1.24 BILLION. After 30 years, LSU’s endowment is only in the $300 million range, not to mention the backlog of 110 professorships awaiting state match.
LSU’s Recent Performance and Successes:
- 2009 Top Tier ranking by U.S. News & World Report (first time in LSU history)
- $154 million in grant awards last year
- Prestigious Carnegie Community Engagement classification earned in 2008, based on curricular engagement, outreach and partnerships
- One of only 30 universities in the nation with land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant status
- Historically high graduation rates (6-year rate nearly 61% — highest in Louisiana among public universities)
- Historically high student retention rate (85.4%)
- Need-based “Pelican Promise” program assists low-income students