Colleges Brace for Budget Cuts

[Swamp]

Throw in building their stadium masquerading as dorms/housing (my dad was one of the early residents) Huey’s self serving kingdom set itself up in perpetuity.

NEZ.

[HoustonCajun]

In 1929, Louisiana State had a $500,000 budget. Huey blew it up net 5 fold to $3,000,000 in 1930. Throw in building their stadium masquerading as dorms/housing (my dad was one of the early residents) Huey’s self serving kingdom set itself up in perpetuity.

But in 1929, UL was SLI with likely under 5,000 students. Why wouldn't the governor at that time lend full support to the state university in the capital city? LSU got a huge step on every other state university, but they were all small regional colleges at that point. We can't compare UL today to 1929. Today, we should have 2 major universities like most states have, University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University, with proper funding for both and with all other universities feeder schools to both.

[ULGrad@HOU]

But in 1929, UL was SLI with likely under 5,000 students. Why wouldn't the governor at that time lend full support to the state university in the capital city? LSU got a huge step on every other state university, but they were all small regional colleges at that point. We can't compare UL today to 1929. Today, we should have 2 major universities like most states have, University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University, with proper funding for both and with all other universities feeder schools to both.

Who knows, maybe he did and ancestor of T-Joe-Authement said "oh no cha, we don't want none of that here Governor!"

[NOCajun]

On October 23, 2025, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) announced it is cutting 70 positions across all university divisions to help close a $25 million budget deficit. The reductions will occur through a combination of layoffs, reassignments, resignations, and retirements.
This announcement follows an initial round of job eliminations in September, which saw six positions cut and the restructuring of the communications, marketing, and auxiliary services offices. The total of 76 positions eliminated so far is part of an ongoing effort to address the university's significant financial challenges.
Factors contributing to the deficit
Administrative expansion: Interim UL Lafayette President Jaimie Hebert stated that despite a decade-long drop in full-time undergraduate enrollment, the university added 554 new positions between 2015 and March 2025.
Declining enrollment: A decrease of 1,700 full-time undergraduates since 2015 resulted in a $20 million reduction in revenue. While online and graduate enrollment has risen, this has not been enough to offset the loss of revenue from undergraduate tuition and fees, which are the main source of income for the university.
Athletic department finances: The university's Athletic Department was found to have a $12.6 million deficit in an audit earlier this year.
Untimely billing practices: Audits from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor had previously flagged issues with the university's finances, including late billing over three consecutive years.
Administrative response and future actions
Budget reduction targets: With the latest job cuts, UL Lafayette has identified $20.5 million in deficit reduction. The administration now plans to find an additional $15 million in reductions in the coming months.
Divisional budget cuts: To manage expenses, all divisions except Academic Affairs were asked to reduce their operational expenses by 10%. Academic Affairs is cutting 5% of its budget to minimize the impact on student learning.
Other cost-saving measures: The university will not fill vacant positions and will terminate a costly hotel lease in January, saving an estimated $900,000.
Avoiding "last resort" options: Hebert characterized asking the state for a bailout or selling off assets as "last resort" options for resolving the debt.
Administrative changes: The previous university president, Joseph Savoie, unexpectedly stepped down in July 2025, a year before his contract was set to expire. The university's vice president of finance and administration also resigned abruptly in May.
Emphasis on moving forward: When questioned at an October town hall about accountability for the financial crisis, Interim President Hebert emphasized moving forward, stating, "The more time we spend worrying about who's at fault... the less time we have to work on where we need to be going".

[cajunfan96]

On October 23, 2025, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) announced it is cutting 70 positions across all university divisions to help close a $25 million budget deficit. The reductions will occur through a combination of layoffs, reassignments, resignations, and retirements.
This announcement follows an initial round of job eliminations in September, which saw six positions cut and the restructuring of the communications, marketing, and auxiliary services offices. The total of 76 positions eliminated so far is part of an ongoing effort to address the university's significant financial challenges.
Factors contributing to the deficit
Administrative expansion: Interim UL Lafayette President Jaimie Hebert stated that despite a decade-long drop in full-time undergraduate enrollment, the university added 554 new positions between 2015 and March 2025.
Declining enrollment: A decrease of 1,700 full-time undergraduates since 2015 resulted in a $20 million reduction in revenue. While online and graduate enrollment has risen, this has not been enough to offset the loss of revenue from undergraduate tuition and fees, which are the main source of income for the university.
Athletic department finances: The university's Athletic Department was found to have a $12.6 million deficit in an audit earlier this year.
Untimely billing practices: Audits from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor had previously flagged issues with the university's finances, including late billing over three consecutive years.
Administrative response and future actions
Budget reduction targets: With the latest job cuts, UL Lafayette has identified $20.5 million in deficit reduction. The administration now plans to find an additional $15 million in reductions in the coming months.
Divisional budget cuts: To manage expenses, all divisions except Academic Affairs were asked to reduce their operational expenses by 10%. Academic Affairs is cutting 5% of its budget to minimize the impact on student learning.
Other cost-saving measures: The university will not fill vacant positions and will terminate a costly hotel lease in January, saving an estimated $900,000.
Avoiding "last resort" options: Hebert characterized asking the state for a bailout or selling off assets as "last resort" options for resolving the debt.
Administrative changes: The previous university president, Joseph Savoie, unexpectedly stepped down in July 2025, a year before his contract was set to expire. The university's vice president of finance and administration also resigned abruptly in May.
Emphasis on moving forward: When questioned at an October town hall about accountability for the financial crisis, Interim President Hebert emphasized moving forward, stating, "The more time we spend worrying about who's at fault... the less time we have to work on where we need to be going".

It would be nice to see a breakdown of what positions and actual savings. I for one am tired of writing $7,000 tuition checks per semester!

[Cajunrunner]

It would be nice to see a breakdown of what positions and actual savings. I for one am tired of writing $7,000 tuition checks per semester!

That's on par with in-state college tuition in other Gulf Coast states. Unless you think the taxpayers should further subsidize tuition for you.

[MarlinMan3]

Checks notes: if a team pays more for a coach they have a better coach, does it not follow if a student pays more for tuition they have a better education, lmao

[CajunNation]

The entirety of higher education is so off the rails and divorced from reality. There are really only a few majors that can come close to justifying the debt incurred. Most of them are an absolute waste of money.

[cajunfan96]

The entirety of higher education is so off the rails and divorced from reality. There are really only a few majors that can come close to justifying the debt incurred. Most of them are an absolute waste of money.

Boom!

[cajunfan96]

That's on par with in-state college tuition in other Gulf Coast states. Unless you think the taxpayers should further subsidize tuition for you.

Oh, so that makes it ok! I don't want any additional money from the taxpayer! Universities are lost!