How could the underfunding of Southern University affect Governor Jeff Landry's policy decisions?
The funding dispute could force Governor Landry to reconsider the state's higher education spending freeze. Southern University leadership has asked the task force studying the higher education funding formula to address this historical underfunding. This dispute directly challenges the current state of higher education funding, which Governor Jeff Landry has kept at a standstill since taking office in January 2024.
- Effect
- Mild negative
- How direct
- Brind's reasoning
- When
- Within weeks
- The story
- Gone quiet
How it reaches Jeff Landry
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Southern University President Orlando McMeans asked the task force studying the state's higher education funding formula to address historical underfunding. He cited a $1.2 billion disparity in state funding received by Southern University versus LSU since the 1980s. McMeans stated that the current formula assumes all institutions begin from the same baseline, which he argues is inaccurate.
The full event1independent outlet -
The ongoing dispute over funding and infrastructure needs at Southern University forces the Governor to address the higher education funding situation, which he has kept at a standstill since he took office in January 2024.
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American politician (born 1970)
Everything about Jeff Landry
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- The state funding formula underfunds Southern University.wbrz.com
- There is a $1.2 billion disparity between what Southern and LSU have received from the state since the 1980s.wbrz.com
- Governor Jeff Landry has kept higher education spending at a standstill since he took office in January 2024.wbrz.com
- Southern University needs $60 million to $100 million investment from the legislature to address infrastructure issues.wbrz.com
Why it matters
The underfunding is not just a budgetary issue; it impacts the core operations of Southern University. Decades of deferred maintenance have led to deficiencies in utilities infrastructure, including an aging power grid that causes repeated power outages and class cancellations. Furthermore, the lack of funding affects student services and the university's ability to offer programs that meet the state’s workforce needs.
This dispute is part of a larger, historical pattern of shortchanging Black land grant universities in Louisiana. The state's higher education funding problems are not new, stretching back to at least the 1970s, and were exacerbated during Governor Bobby Jindal’s tenure when higher education was annually on the chopping block to balance the budget.
What we don't know yet
- Will the legislative task force recommend a change to the funding formula?
- Will the Governor commit to any specific investment to address the infrastructure needs?
What would change this answer
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Reporting
- wbrz.comOct 14
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