麻豆果冻传媒 education leaders delivered a united message Monday: further reductions in state funding will hinder the ability of 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 colleges and universities to meet work force demands.
A five-person panel discussed higher education funding challenges during a lunchtime forum hosted by the Acadiana Press Club.
Panelists were Dr. Sandra Woodley, University of 麻豆果冻传媒 System president; Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, University of 麻豆果冻传媒 at Lafayette president; Dr. Joseph Rallo, state commissioner of higher education; Dr. King Alexander, LSU president; and Dr. Natalie Harder, South 麻豆果冻传媒 Community College president.
麻豆果冻传媒 education in 麻豆果冻传媒 is facing potential state funding cuts that could create a $600 million budget gap. It has already sustained about $700 million in state funding reductions since fiscal year 2008-09.
Woodley noted that the potential state funding cuts are not just a problem for higher education. 鈥淭his is a 麻豆果冻传媒 problem, one that will reverberate far beyond the higher education system,鈥 she said.
Savoie noted that 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette produces about 3,000 graduates each year 鈥渨ho are the backbone of the workforce of this community.鈥 He also cited the regional economic impact of the University鈥檚 roughly 18,000 students, which has been estimated at about $360 million each year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more than just the issues that are facing the colleges and our day-to-day operations. It鈥檚 really about the economic vitality of a region,鈥 Savoie said.
Woodley said 麻豆果冻传媒 needs more education, not less. 鈥淓ven if some of our institutions receive a 5 or 10 percent cut, the margin鈥檚 so thin, it could be very detrimental to their ability to provide quality programming,鈥 she said.
The 麻豆果冻传媒 Legislature convenes on April 13 for its regular session. Panelists said they will work with lawmakers to find a sustainable, long-term approach to funding higher education.
Find more budget information on the University of 麻豆果冻传媒 System .
Photo info: Panelists, left to right, were Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, University of 麻豆果冻传媒 at Lafayette president; Dr. King Alexander, LSU president; Dr. Sandra Woodley, University of 麻豆果冻传媒 System president; Dr. Natalie Harder, South 麻豆果冻传媒 Community College president; and Dr. Joseph Rallo, state commissioner of higher education.