Russell: Higher Ed, future hit hard by cuts

Like most things regarding the state’s budget crisis, higher education’s stake depends on your perspective.
For those in the higher education field, the dire outlook of yet another cut is less than ideal.
“The state of Louisiana is spending about $1,800 on a full-time student in the state,” said Dr. Kimberly Russell, chancellor of Louisiana State University of Eunice. “Just for comparison, the state of Texas spends about $3,500.
“Frankly, it’s embarrassing. Louisiana is now dead last in the number of college graduates living in the state. Less than 29 percent of us have achieved or possess an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree.”
Speaking of the “disinvestment” in Louisiana’s higher learning students, Russell made no qualms that higher education continues to take the brunt of Louisiana’s economic hits.
“Over the years, state appropriations for LSUE have been cut 13 times, nine of them were cut mid-year,” she said. “Those reductions, coupled with the decrease in tuition and fee revenue due to declining enrollment has nearly crippled this university.”
Higher education leaders have been given a best case scenario after cuts and tax measures seem to be gathering steam in the Louisiana legislature: $42 million statewide. Though the number is definitely an improvement over the potential $200 million higher education would have to take if nothing passes in the state’s special session, it also doesn’t include the $28 million schools will be absorbing in the TOPS cut.
What those numbers mean – a combined $60 million in total at best – for LSUE is $110,000 in TOPS money and $265,000 in the shortfall for the remainder of the semester. And, those numbers coming in the middle of the semester have put schools like LSUE in a bind and, at this point, the cuts are more like gaping wounds for higher education.
“We’re facing another devastating blow,” said Russell. “It is indeed a dismal state for the state of Louisiana.”
Russell was quick to commend the work that has been done thus far in the special session, but much work remains, including roughly a $150 to $200 million deficit remaining in this year’s budget.
“There are obviously no easy solutions,” Russell would later add as talk of revenue increases versus cuts continued.
Russell has committed herself to fighting for LSUE and higher education as a whole, stating her door is always open and she is happy to meet with anyone at any time both locally and at the state level to better educate them of the fight the school and institutions are going through.
She urged Rotarians to contact their local legislators and encourage them to fight for higher education before turning the floor over to questions.
During that time, Russell spoke about the growth over the years at the school – faculty, facilities, acreage, online course and dual credit – but she continually stated that there is a vast difference in what LSUE currently is as to what LSUE could be.
“LSUE could be so much more,” she said.
Finally, the question of too many colleges came and Russell pointed out that LSUE is a different college than SLCC (South Louisiana Community College) and four-year institutions are part of what proves that Louisiana is actually “under served.”
“I think we’re unique, we offer a different product,” she said. “We’re not going to duplicate services. We’re not SLCC. But what we can do is provide whatever niche that they need.
“I think Louisiana as a whole is under served (at the collegiate level), and I think it’s not true what people say that Louisiana has too many universities.”