HB-470 A bill to merge Louisiana State University in Shreveport with Louisiana Tech in Ruston has been filed by State Representative Cedric Glover – Democrat from District 4. According to several media reports, HB-470 aims to improve academic programs and increase enrollment. This caught LSUS officials by surprise and yesterday Chancellor Larry Clark held a press conference to offer his response to the bill.
"If there to be a merger that ultimately had this campus being Louisiana Tech, do you think just changing the name alone would create the result that Representative Glover seeks?" asked Clark. "And the answer is of course 'no', it would take investment. And there's not been investment."
Clark explained that recent state support for higher education has been limited and more investment in buildings, academic programs and teacher's salaries is needed. He also added that LSUS has a record total enrollment with more than 7400 students and that a merger would mean higher tuition for students who currently pay less at LSUS.
"Our students pay a tuition fee of $7,256, at Louisiana Tech they would pay $9,645," explained Clark. "One-third of our applicants could not get into Louisiana Tech because of a differential in terms of what the board of regents direct in terms of admissions, one-third of our current applicants would not be able to come in."
Chancellor Clark added he doesn’t think HB-470 will succeed. The bill will be part of the upcoming legislative session that begins in Baton Rouge next week.
