HLS 12RS-4639 REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 168
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARMODY AND HENRY BURNS
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Relative to the La. State University Shreveport Commitment
Plan as unanimously endorsed by the LSU Board of Supervisors on April 27, 2012,
provides legislative findings and for certain reports to the legislature, the legislative
education committees, and the Board of Regents for the next three academic years
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To provide legislative findings relative to the Louisiana State University Shreveport2
Commitment Plan as unanimously endorsed by the Board of Supervisors of3
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on April 27,4
2012, to urge and request all public postsecondary education institutions in the5
region to fully cooperate and support plan implementation; and to specify that the6
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical7
College shall make certain written reports to the legislature, the legislative education8
committees, and the Board of Regents for the next three academic years on its9
progress in plan implementation.10
WHEREAS, Shreveport-Bossier is the third largest metropolitan area in Louisiana11
and deserves a strong, vibrant, comprehensive research university to meet the education,12
workforce, and economic development needs of the region; and13
WHEREAS, many civic and business leaders in the region have expressed deep14
interest in exploring various methods for expanding the regional capacity for additional15
academic programs; and16
WHEREAS, while current postsecondary programs at the technical and associate17
degree level are ample and diverse, there still are limited opportunities for comprehensive18
undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Northwest Louisiana; and19
WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, as the area's urban university,20
is best positioned to serve regional needs through an expansion of current course offerings21
in targeted program areas; and22 HLS 12RS-4639 REENGROSSED
HCR NO. 168
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WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, in collaboration with1
colleagues at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and2
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, has developed the3
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan for the continued growth of4
Louisiana State University at Shreveport; and5
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural6
and Mechanical College on April 27, 2012, unanimously endorsed the Louisiana State7
University Shreveport Commitment Plan and directed its implementation through close8
collaboration with all institutions in the Louisiana State University System thereby9
recognizing that all Louisiana State University entities have a stake in the successful10
development of Louisiana State University at Shreveport; and11
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan defines12
both a series of short-term initiatives designed to provide immediate impact from new13
program offerings combined with longer-term initiatives to grow selected graduate14
programs; and 15
WHEREAS, as institutional, regional, and state funding resources permit,16
investments should be made to further grow Louisiana State University at Shreveport into17
a strong urban research university with a mix of baccalaureate, master's, professional, and18
targeted doctoral programs, accompanied by strategic research endeavors that enhance19
economic development in the metropolitan area; and20
WHEREAS, during this period of budget austerity, the implementation of the21
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan presents a cost-effective,22
expeditious, and efficient way to address regional postsecondary education needs.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby find24
that the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan as adopted by the Board25
of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on26
April 27, 2012, can be a cost-effective, efficient, and immediate strategy for enhancing27
postsecondary education needs in the region, including raising the educational attainment28
of the population; improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Shreveport-29
Bossier residents; ensuring that students are provided the educational resources they need30 HLS 12RS-4639 REENGROSSED
HCR NO. 168
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to have a reasonable chance for success in their academic pursuits; making optimal use of1
facilities, faculties, and other academic and fiscal resources associated with the public2
postsecondary institutions; and maintaining and growing foundation and alumni monies3
attained for the purpose of supporting Louisiana State University at Shreveport.4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all public institutions of postsecondary5
education in the region and the Board of Regents are urged and requested to fully cooperate6
and support implementation of the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the authority of the Board of Regents to8
formulate and make timely revision of a master plan for postsecondary education and the9
process for so doing as provided by R.S. 17:3128 is hereby recognized, and the board is10
urged and requested to continue to apply its policies and procedures in evaluating the11
proposed role, scope, and mission statements of any public postsecondary education12
institution.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State14
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall report in writing to the legislature15
as provided by R.S. 24:771 and 772, the House Committee on Education and the Senate16
Committee on Education, and the Board of Regents two weeks after the end of each Fall and17
Spring semester for the next three academic years on its progress in implementing the18
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan, which report shall include but not19
be limited to details on new programs offered and put into effect as well as student20
enrollment and completion data for such programs. 21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted22
to the presiding officer of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and23
Agricultural and Mechanical College, the president of the Louisiana State University24
System, the presiding officer of the Board of Regents, and the commission of higher25
education. 26 HLS 12RS-4639 REENGROSSED
HCR NO. 168
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carmody HCR No. 168
Provides legislative findings relative to the La. State University Shreveport Commitment
Plan as unanimously endorsed by the LSU Board of Supervisors on April 27, 2012, requests
all public postsecondary education institutions in the region to fully cooperate and support
plan implementation, requests the Board of Regents to continue to apply its policies and
procedures in evaluating proposed role, scope, and mission statements, and specifies that the
LSU Board of Supervisors shall make certain written reports to the legislature, the legislative
education committees, and the Board of Regents for the next three academic years on the
progress of plan implementation.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Adds provision relative to evaluation by the Board of Regents of proposed role,
scope, and mission statements.
2. Makes a technical correction