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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVES CARMODY AND HENRY BURNS
A RESOLUTION
To provide legislative findings relative to the Louisiana State University Shreveport
Commitment Plan as unanimously endorsed by the Board of Supervisors of
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on April 27,
2012, to urge and request all public postsecondary education institutions in the
region to fully cooperate and support plan implementation, and to specify that the
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical
College shall make certain written reports to the legislature, the legislative education
committees, and the Board of Regents for the next three academic years on its
progress in plan implementation.
WHEREAS, Shreveport-Bossier is the third largest metropolitan area in Louisiana
and deserves a strong, vibrant, comprehensive research university to meet the education,
workforce, and economic development needs of the region; and
WHEREAS, many civic and business leaders in the region have expressed deep
interest in exploring various methods for expanding the regional capacity for additional
academic programs; and
WHEREAS, while current postsecondary programs at the technical and associate
degree level are ample and diverse, there still are limited opportunities for comprehensive
undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Northwest Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, as the area's urban university,
is best positioned to serve regional needs through an expansion of current course offerings
in targeted program areas; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport, in collaboration with
colleagues at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, has developed the ENROLLEDHR NO. 112
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Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan for the continued growth of
Louisiana State University at Shreveport; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural
and Mechanical College on April 27, 2012, unanimously endorsed the Louisiana State
University Shreveport Commitment Plan and directed its implementation through close
collaboration with all institutions in the Louisiana State University System thereby
recognizing that all Louisiana State University entities have a stake in the successful
development of Louisiana State University at Shreveport; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan defines
both a series of short-term initiatives designed to provide immediate impact from new
program offerings combined with longer-term initiatives to grow selected graduate
programs; and
WHEREAS, as institutional, regional, and state funding resources permit,
investments should be made to further grow Louisiana State University at Shreveport into
a strong urban research university with a mix of baccalaureate, master's, professional, and
targeted doctoral programs, accompanied by strategic research endeavors that enhance
economic development in the metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, during this period of budget austerity, the implementation of the
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan presents a cost-effective,
expeditious, and efficient way to address regional postsecondary education needs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby find that the Louisiana State University Shreveport
Commitment Plan as adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and
Agricultural and Mechanical College on April 27, 2012, can be a cost-effective, efficient,
and immediate strategy for enhancing postsecondary education needs in the region, including
raising the educational attainment of the population; improving the quality of life and
economic well-being of Shreveport-Bossier residents; ensuring that students are provided
the educational resources they need to have a reasonable chance for success in their
academic pursuits; making optimal use of facilities, faculties, and other academic and fiscal
resources associated with the public postsecondary institutions; and maintaining and growing ENROLLEDHR NO. 112
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foundation and alumni monies attained for the purpose of supporting Louisiana State
University at Shreveport.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all public institutions of postsecondary
education in the region and the Board of Regents are urged and requested to fully cooperate
and support implementation of the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the authority of the Board of Regents to
formulate and make timely revision of a master plan for postsecondary education and the
process for so doing as provided by R.S. 17:3128 is hereby recognized, and the board is
urged and requested to continue to apply its policies and procedures in evaluating the
proposed role, scope, and mission statements of any public postsecondary education
institution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall report in writing to the legislature
as provided by R.S. 24:771 and 772, the House Committee on Education and the Senate
Committee on Education, and the Board of Regents two weeks after the end of each Fall and
Spring semester for the next three academic years on its progress in implementing the
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan, which report shall include but not
be limited to details on new programs offered and put into effect as well as student
enrollment and completion data for such programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the presiding officer of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and
Agricultural and Mechanical College, the president of the Louisiana State University
System, the presiding officer of the Board of Regents, and the commissioner of higher
education.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES