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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145
BY SENATORS PEACOCK, ADLEY AND TARVER
A RESOLUTION
To endorse the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan, as adopted by the
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical
College to enhance programs to meet higher education needs in the region; to
establish the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan
Implementation Group to monitor the implementation of the plan; and to require the
Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical
College to provide a written report semiannually for the next five academic years on
the progress of implementing the plan.
WHEREAS, Shreveport-Bossier is the third largest metropolitan area in Louisiana
and deserves a strong, vibrant, comprehensive research university to meet the educational,
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, there are still limited opportunities for comprehensive undergraduate
and graduate degree programs in Northwest Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana State University at Shreveport (LSUS), as
Shreveport-Bossier's urban university, is best positioned to serve regional needs through an
expansion of current course offerings in targeted program areas; and
WHEREAS, LSUS, in collaboration with colleagues at the LSU Health Sciences
Center at Shreveport and LSU A&M, developed the Louisiana State University Shreveport
Commitment Plan for the continued growth of LSUS; 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 LSU System by recognizing that all LSU entities
have a stake in the successful development of LSUS; and SR NO. 145 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan defines
both a series of short-term initiatives with immediate impact from new program offerings
and 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 LSUS 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
metro area; and
WHEREAS, during this period of budget austerity, the implementation of the
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan represents the least expensive and
most expeditious and efficient path for addressing regional higher education needs; and
WHEREAS, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 69 of the 2008 Regular Session,
which was adopted by the legislature, the Board of Regents was urged and requested "to take
the necessary steps to approve the expanded role, scope and mission to include selected
doctoral degrees at Louisiana State University in Shreveport..."; and
WHEREAS, the energetic and full support of LSUS by the Louisiana Board of
Regents and the legislature, in partnership with regional community leaders, the LSU Board
of Supervisors, and all LSU System campuses, would increase the capacity of LSUS to offer
higher education degrees and certificates in Shreveport/Bossier to cultivate the managerial,
educational, technical, and scientific workforce needs of the metro area.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana that
the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan, as adopted by the Board of
Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, is
hereby endorsed as the most effective and immediate strategy for enhancing programs
offered to meet higher 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 foundation and alumni monies SR NO. 145 ENROLLED
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attained for the purpose of supporting Louisiana State University at Shreveport.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all institutions of higher education in the region
and the Louisiana Board of Regents are urged to fully cooperate and support implementation
of the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Regents is hereby urged and
requested to approve the proposed new role, scope, and mission of Louisiana State
University at Shreveport to increase the institution's capacity to meet the managerial,
educational, technical, and scientific workforce needs of the region.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Regents is hereby urged and
requested to make a written report to the Senate and to the Senate Committee on Education
not later than October 1, 2012, on the steps taken by the board since 2006 to expand the role,
scope and mission, of Louisiana State University in Shreveport, including added doctoral
degrees, and the current status of each step.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is hereby established the Louisiana State
University Shreveport Commitment Plan Implementation Group to monitor the
implementation of the plan, which shall consist of the following members:
(1) Two representatives of the Louisiana State University System selected by the
chairman of the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors.
(2) Two representatives of the Board of Regents selected by the chairman of the
board.
(3) Two representatives of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and
Mechanical College selected by the chancellor of the university.
(4) Two representatives of Louisiana State University at Shreveport selected by the
chancellor of the university.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that individuals selected to be members of the
Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan Implementation Group shall be
submitted, on or before September 1, 2012, to the chancellor of LSUS who shall call the
hearings provided by this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State University Shreveport
Commitment Plan Implementation Group shall, for the next five academic years, hold SR NO. 145 ENROLLED
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hearings on the LSUS campus regarding the implementation and status of the plan, including
courses and programs added or dropped and the total enrollment numbers at the beginning
and end of each semester of LSUS for the added courses and programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State
University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall provide a written report to the
Senate and to the Senate Committee on Education semiannually for the next five academic
years, within one month following completion of the Fall and Spring semesters at LSUS, on
the progress of implementing the Louisiana State University Shreveport Commitment Plan,
which report shall include details on new programs offered and put into effect, student
enrollment and completion data as well as income from tuition, fees, state, and other sources
for each semester.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Board of Regents, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural
and Mechanical College, the chancellor of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and
Mechanical College, and the chancellor of Louisiana State University at Shreveport.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE