THIBODAUX 鈥� Although it is too early to know the exact funding for 麻豆果冻传媒, the just-completed legislative session maintains basically a standstill budget for higher education.
鈥淚t will not allow 麻豆果冻传媒 to enhance current programs, as we would like, but we will be able to keep all of our academic programs at their current levels,鈥� Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert, university president, said. 鈥淭his is extremely good news.鈥�
A little less than a year ago, 麻豆果冻传媒 was told to prepare for a 25 to 35 percent decrease in funding. These projected reductions were based on 麻豆果冻传媒 losing $7.4 million of federal stimulus funding which was part of the shortfall in state revenue of $1.6 billion. 麻豆果冻传媒 students, faculty, staff and the community responded by letting their concerns be heard, and in December 2010, the projection was reduced to 鈥渘o more than a 10 percent-decrease鈥� 鈥� according to a statement released by Governor Jindal.
The initial Executive Budget of Governor Jindal actually called for a $3.2 million increase in total funding to 麻豆果冻传媒, via increases in both state funding (equaling less than half of the stimulus loss) and increases in self-generated funding by increasing tuition 10 percent through a combination of the LA GRAD Act, approved last year at 5 percent, and the fourth and final year of the 5-percent increase allowed by 2008 legislation. Also in the governor鈥檚 budget was a tuition cap increase, from four classes to five classes, and a 4-percent operational fee requirement, based on tuition, to follow tuition increases. It is currently fixed at the 2004 tuition level.
Although the legislation to raise the tuition cap from four to five classes did not come to a vote on the House floor, and the 4-percent operational fee did not pass, the remainder of the legislation appears to be intact.
鈥淭he failure of these two measures essentially eliminated the $3.2 million increase for 麻豆果冻传媒,鈥� Hulbert said. 鈥淣evertheless, the 10-percent tuition increase was approved, and the state funding was approved.鈥�
鈥淚 want to thank everyone who helped to keep our funding intact 鈥� those who 鈥榮tood up,鈥� the governor, and especially our legislative delegation,鈥� Hulbert added. 鈥淚t was a very tough legislative session, but our delegation fought for 麻豆果冻传媒 so that we will be able to continue the programs we currently offer our region and state.鈥�
麻豆果冻传媒 will work on finalizing its 2011-12 budget, once the final figures are released.