Saw this as well.
COMMITTEE APPROVES LOWEST FEE INCREASE IN A DECADE
In a special meeting of the Executive Committee, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System approved fee changes for its nine universities. The average increase of less than three percent is the lowest fee increase in a decade for the more than 90,000 students served by the state's largest system of higher education.
"With the budget stability afforded to us by the legislature and our governor, in addition to the full funding of TOPS, our universities were able to minimize cost increases on our students," UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. "We will continue to work with our state's leadership to obtain a stable and significant investment in higher education."
Two universities, Grambling State University and the University of New Orleans, are not implementing any fee increases. The remaining seven universities' increases range from $98 to $212.
Louisiana ranks last among its peers in the Southern Regional Education Board in total resources per student. Universities in Louisiana operate with $12,125 per student, while competitors in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas provide $17,563, $17,510 and $15,370 per student respectively.
"The disparity puts Louisiana universities at a disadvantage in the recruitment and retention of faculty, especially at our research institutions," Henderson said.
Louisiana ranks seventh among its 16 peers in the SREB in total tuition and fees, and 15th in direct state support for colleges and universities on a per student basis.
"Higher education has evolved into a competitive enterprise," Henderson said. "While any increase in cost is significant to students, the average increase of $108 will provide valuable services in the classroom. Now, we must aggressively pursue a state policy environment and institutional cultures that ensure our universities are able to maximize the value received by our students."
Changes only apply to fees, tuition costs remain stable across the System. The Executive Committee met to consider time-sensitive agenda items after a scheduled Board meeting was cancelled due to Tropical Storm Cindy.
Other committee action;
Facilities Planning Committee
-UL Lafayette: approval to name the Student Athlete Performance Center the "Donald and Janice Mosing Student Athlete Performance Center."
-UL Lafayette: approval to name the Welcome Center at Cade Farm the "Dr. Thomas J. Arceneaux Welcome Center."
-UL Lafayette: approval to enter into a Ground Lease/Lease Back Agreement with Ragin' Cajun Facilities, Ic. to renovate and expand FG Mouton Hall to include the creation of the Maraist Financial Services Laboratory.
-UL Lafayette: approval to name the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration Financial Services Lab the "Maraist Financial Services Laboratory."
Thought this was interesting/funny;
LA Tech: approval to exchange propoerty with Brister Baptist Church located in Arkansas.