Latest news with #SenateBill202
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
UNO to rejoin LSU system after 14 years in a major Louisiana higher ed shift
University of New Orleans In a significant restructuring of the Louisiana higher education landscape, legislators have approved the transfer of the University of New Orleans ( UNO ) from the University of Louisiana (UL) System back to the Louisiana State University (LSU) System. This decision marks a major development in US public higher education, with implications for governance, funding, and institutional identity. The move, approved by both the Louisiana House and Senate, is part of a broader effort to address UNO's worsening financial crisis. Senate Bill 202, sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Harris of New Orleans, now awaits the signature of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to take effect, as reported by the LA Illuminator. A return to LSU roots amid financial strain UNO was originally part of the LSU System from its founding in 1958 until 2011, when it was transferred to the UL System. At the time, the move was welcomed by alumni and boosters who felt the university had been overshadowed by LSU. However, a prolonged budget crisis has since placed UNO in a precarious financial position, prompting this reversal. The university currently faces a $30 million shortfall and has already implemented a spending freeze, layoffs, and furloughs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experts Tested 17 Hearing Aids. Their #1 Pick Will Shock You Undo According to the LA Illuminator, the proposed state budget includes $20 million to settle UNO's outstanding debts and an additional $450,000 for a comprehensive academic and financial audit to inform the transition. Enrollment decline and shifting system dynamics UNO's fiscal challenges are closely tied to a significant decline in student enrollment. Prior to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the university enrolled approximately 17,000 students. That number plummeted to around 6,000 post-storm and has remained stagnant. As of the Fall 2024 semester, enrollment stood at just 6,488 students. In contrast, all institutions within the LSU System have reported enrollment growth in recent years, defying national trends of declining college attendance. This contrast reinforces the state's hope that aligning UNO with the LSU System could revitalize its appeal and performance. Oversight and transition steps outlined As detailed by the LA Illuminator, the legislation mandates a step-by-step transition. By August 1, UNO President Kathy Johnson must notify the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the accrediting body, of the planned governance change. The LSU System Board of Supervisors is required to form a transition committee composed of legislators and stakeholders from the greater New Orleans area. This committee must operate under the state's open meetings law and submit its findings to the state Board of Regents and legislative education committees no later than April 1. Academic standing and athletic alignment The move will also shift the academic and athletic positioning of UNO. Within the LSU System, UNO would be the only undergraduate R2 research institution—classified as having high research activity—second only to LSU's flagship R1 campus. It would also be the only other LSU System school with an NCAA Division I athletics program. The legislation instructs both the UL and LSU boards to work cooperatively during the transition. Even before SACSCOC gives final approval, administrative and supervisory responsibilities are to be gradually transferred, ensuring UNO's budget is balanced in collaboration with the LSU board. As quoted by the LA Illuminator, Sen. Harris emphasized that 'this is about saving an institution that means a great deal to New Orleans' and steering it toward a sustainable and competitive future. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislators approve transferring UNO to the LSU System. What happens next?
Flowers grow Dec. 15, 2022, in front of the University of New Orleans sign on Lakeshore Drive. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana legislators have approved legislation that will kick off a lengthy process to transfer the financially embattled University of New Orleans to the LSU System from the University of Louisiana System. Senate Bill 202 by Sen. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans, easily passed the House Monday and already has Senate approval. It must receive approval from Gov. Jeff Landry before it takes effect. The university's likely return to LSU's control is in response to UNO's acute budget crisis. The school faces a $30 million budget shortfall and has implemented a spending freeze, layoffs and staff furloughs in an attempt to make ends meet. The proposed state budget, which lawmakers have to approve by Thursday, includes $20 million to pay off UNO's remaining debts and $450,000 for a financial and academic audit of the university. Harris' legislation spells out several steps before the transition can be finalized. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Aug. 1, UNO President Kathy Johnson must send a letter to the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the accrediting body for most Louisiana colleges and universities, seeking approval for a change in UNO's governance. The LSU System Board of Supervisors must set up a transition committee that will make recommendations to the board based on the audit's findings. The transition committee's meetings are subject to the state's open meetings law, meaning it must meet and take any votes in public. The committee must be made up of legislators and stakeholders from the greater New Orleans region, and it must submit its report to the state Board of Regents and legislative education committees no later than April 1. The legislation instructs the UL System Board of Supervisors to work with their LSU counterparts so the transfer can take place immediately after SACSCOC gives its approval. Before the transfer receives accreditation approval, the UL and LSU boards are instructed to enter into agreements to transfer as many administrative and supervisory functions as possible to the LSU System before final approval is given. The UL board is also instructed to continue to balance UNO's budget in close collaboration with the LSU board. UNO's fiscal troubles are related to an enrollment decline. The school had a student body of around 17,000 before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with an immediate drop to around 6,000 after the storm. For the fall 2024 semester, its total enrollment was 6,488. Unlike UNO, every school in the LSU System has reported enrollment increases over the past few years, in contrast to nationwide trends of declining student numbers on college campuses. UNO had been in the LSU System since its founding 1958 until 2011, when alumni and boosters applauded the switch to the UL System because many felt the university was overshadowed by LSU. UNO would be the only undergraduate degree-granting school in the LSU System classified as an R2 university, meaning it has high levels of research activity, second only to LSU's main campus, which is a R1 school with the highest research activity rating. In the UL System, two other campuses have research-level rankings: UL Lafayette, an R1 school, and Louisiana Tech, an R2. UNO would be the only other school in the LSU System with an NCAA Division I athletics program. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of New Orleans transfer to LSU System expected to cost $23 million this year
The University of New Orleans sign sits in front of the University Center on Dec. 15, 2022. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana lawmakers are advancing legislation to transfer the University of New Orleans from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System at a cost of about $23 million, Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said. Senate Bill 202 by Sen. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans, unanimously passed the Senate Tuesday. It will next be discussed in a House committee and must also receive approval from the House of Representatives and Gov. Jeff Landry before it takes effect. The bill would reverse the action legislators took 14 years ago to move UNO to the University of Louisiana System from the LSU System, which it had been a part of since the university was founded in 1958. The implementation of Harris' legislation is subject to funding. LSU estimates the transfer will cost $41 million in the first year and another $40.4 million over the next four years. 'That's more of a pie-in-the-sky type thing,' Harris said of LSU's estimate. Lawmakers don't plan to spend that much this year, Henry said in an interview after the vote. Instead, he expects to spend $20 million to wipe out debt to vendors and another $3 million for must-do deferred maintenance costs. Those deferred maintenance dollars will likely come from existing funds for campus construction projects, Henry said. The university's possible return to LSU's control is in response to UNO's acute budget crisis. The school faces a $30 million shortfall and has implemented a spending freeze, layoffs and staff furloughs in an attempt to make ends meet. UNO administrators have kept open the possibility of further layoffs and furloughs. Its budget crisis is largely tied to enrollment. The school had a student body of around 17,000 before Hurricane Katrina, with an immediate drop to around 6,000 after the storm. For the fall 2024 semester, its total enrollment was 6,488. Unlike UNO, every school in the LSU System has reported enrollment increases over the past few years, in contrast to nationwide trends of declining student numbers on college campuses. The Louisiana Board of Regents, which oversees all higher education in the state, has already approved the transfer. At the time of the system switch in 2011, UNO alumni and boosters applauded the plan, as many felt the university was overshadowed in the LSU System. UNO would be the only institution in the LSU System classified as an R2 university, meaning it has high levels of research activity, second only to LSU's main campus, which is a R1 school with the highest research activity rating. In the University of Louisiana System, there are two other schools with research-level rankings: the University of Louisiana Lafayette, an R1, and Louisiana Tech, an R2. UNO would also be the only other school in the LSU System with an NCAA Division I athletics program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers advances plan to transfer struggling UNO back to LSU System
Flowers grow Dec. 15, 2022, in front of the University of New Orleans sign on Lakeshore Drive. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana legislators are advancing legislation to move the University of New Orleans, which has struggled with enrollment and finances, back into the LSU System. Senate Bill 202 by Sen. Jimmy Harris, D-New Orleans, unanimously cleared the Senate Education committee Thursday. The bill would reverse the action legislators took 14 years ago to move UNO to the University of Louisiana System from the LSU System, where it had operated since the university was founded in 1958. The university's possible return to LSU's control is in response to UNO's acute budget crisis. The school faces a $10 million budget shortfall and has implemented a spending freeze, layoffs and staff furloughs in an attempt to make ends meet. UNO administrators have kept open the possibility of further layoffs and furloughs. Its budget crisis is largely tied to enrollment. The school had a student body of around 17,000 before Hurricane Katrina, with an immediate drop to around 6,000 after the storm. For the fall 2024 semester, its total enrollment was 6,488. Unlike UNO, every school in the LSU System has reported enrollment increases over the past few years, in contrast to nationwide trends of declining student numbers on college campuses. One notable opponent of the UNO transfer is Julie Stokes, a University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors member and former Republican state representative from Kenner. She also earned an accounting degree from UNO. Stokes raised concerns that there is no transition plan yet for the system switch. Harris' bill requires one, but not until April 1, 2026. That would be after an Aug. 1, 2025, deadline UNO President Kathy Johnson is required to meet to notify the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges of its intent to transfer systems. The association is the accrediting body for UNO and other schools in the region, providing assurance that its educational offerings meet high standards. Stokes also objected to the composition of the transition team in Harris' legislation. It calls for a committee made up of 'stakeholders from the Greater New Orleans region' and members of the legislature's two education committees. Stokes said she believed the committee should include members of the LSU and University of Louisiana system boards. The Louisiana Board of Regents, which oversees all higher education in the state, has already approved the transfer. Shortly after the Regents gave their approval, Johnson said in an interview with the Illuminator that she was 'agnostic' on the plan. She declined to answer questions Thursday as she left the Senate Committee on Education meeting with Stokes. At the time of the system switch in 2011, UNO alumni and boosters applauded the plan, as many felt the university was overshadowed in the LSU System. UNO would be the only institution in the LSU System classified as an R2 university, meaning it has high levels of research activity, second only to LSU's main campus, which is a R1 school with the highest research activity rating. In the University of Louisiana System, there are two other schools with research-level rankings: the University of Louisiana Lafayette, an R1, and Louisiana Tech, an R2. UNO would also be the only other school in the LSU System with an NCAA Division I athletics program. Harris' bill will next be discussed by the Senate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill would make swatting a four-year felony
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A bill introduced Tuesday in the Michigan Senate would make it a four-year felony to make a swatting call. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security as 'making malicious hoax calls to emergency services to falsely report an ongoing emergency such as a violent crime or explosive device at a certain location,' with the goal of drawing an emergency response. 'Swatting' at schools: Police investigate false reports 'If the false report is made with the intent that it cause a response to address the reported crime, regardless of whether or not a response occurs, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00,' reads. If there is a response and someone suffers injury, serious impairment or death as a result, the person responsible for the false report would face harsher penalties, the bill continues. State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, introduced Senate Bill 202 Tuesday alongside , which specifies penalties for swatting incidents. The bills were referred to committee. Swatting has , including in West Michigan. For instance, in October, after the high school was the target of a fake threat. Officers searched each school in the district and didn't find any threat, so the schools were released from lockdown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
