HLS 12RS-4663 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARMODY
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Relative to the LSU 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 RESOLUTION1
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 HLS 12RS-4663 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, as the area's urban university,1
is best positioned to serve regional needs through an expansion of current course offerings2
in targeted program areas; and3
WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, in collaboration with4
colleagues at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and5
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, has developed the6
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan for the continued growth of7
Louisiana State University at Shreveport; and8
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural9
and Mechanical College on April 27, 2012, unanimously endorsed the Louisiana State10
University Shreveport Commitment Plan and directed its implementation through close11
collaboration with all institutions in the Louisiana State University System thereby12
recognizing that all Louisiana State University entities have a stake in the successful13
development of Louisiana State University at Shreveport; and14
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan defines15
both a series of short-term initiatives designed to provide immediate impact from new16
program offerings combined with longer-term initiatives to grow selected graduate17
programs; and18
WHEREAS, as institutional, regional, and state funding resources permit,19
investments should be made to further grow Louisiana State University at Shreveport into20
a strong urban research university with a mix of baccalaureate, master's, professional, and21
targeted doctoral programs, accompanied by strategic research endeavors that enhance22
economic development in the metropolitan area; and23
WHEREAS, during this period of budget austerity, the implementation of the24
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan presents a cost-effective,25
expeditious, and efficient way to address regional postsecondary education needs.26
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the27
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby find that the Louisiana State University Shreveport28
Commitment Plan as adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and29
Agricultural and Mechanical College on April 27, 2012, can be a cost-effective, efficient,30 HLS 12RS-4663 ORIGINAL
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and immediate strategy for enhancing postsecondary education needs in the region, including1
raising the educational attainment of the population; improving the quality of life and2
economic well-being of Shreveport-Bossier residents; ensuring that students are provided3
the educational resources they need to have a reasonable chance for success in their4
academic pursuits; making optimal use of facilities, faculties, and other academic and fiscal5
resources associated with the public postsecondary institutions; and maintaining and growing6
foundation and alumni monies attained for the purpose of supporting Louisiana State7
University at Shreveport.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all public institutions of postsecondary9
education in the region and the Board of Regents are urged and requested to fully cooperate10
and support implementation of the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan.11
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State12
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall report in writing to the legislature13
as provided by R.S. 17:771 and 772, the House Committee on Education and the Senate14
Committee on Education, and the Board of Regents two weeks after the end of each Fall and15
Spring semester for the next three academic years on its progress in implementing the16
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan, which report shall include but not17
be limited to details on new programs offered and put into effect as well as student18
enrollment and completion data for such programs. 19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted20
to the presiding officer of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and21
Agricultural and Mechanical College, the president of the Louisiana State University22
System, the presiding officer of the Board of Regents, and the commission of higher23
education.24
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 HR No. 112
Provides legislative findings relative to the LSU 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 HLS 12RS-4663 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 112
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implementation, 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.