The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services. The keyword,
summary, 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)]
DIGEST
SB 202 Original 2025 Regular Session Harris
Present law (R.S. 17:3215) provides a list of institutions included under the Louisiana State
University System.
Proposed law retains present law and further adds the University of New Orleans to the list of
institutions within the LSU System.
Present law (R.S. 17: 3217) provides a list of institutions included under the University of Louisiana
System.
Proposed law removes the University of New Orleans from the list of institutions under the
supervision and management of the Bd. of Supervisors of the UL System.
Proposed law (R.S. 17:3230.1) provides for the transfer of the UNO from the UL System to the LSU
System as follows:
(1) Requires the president of UNO to submit a letter to the president of the Southern Association
for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS), not later than August 1, 2025,
stating her intent for a change in governance from the Bd. of Supervisors of the UL System
to the Bd. of Supervisors for the LSU System.
(2) Requires the president, faculty, and administration of UNO to take every action necessary
to efficiently and expeditiously comply with all SACS timelines, requirements, and
procedures to ensure that the requested change of governance may be effected immediately
upon receipt of commission approval.
(3) Transfers UNO to the LSU System, pursuant to the authority granted to the legislature by the
La. constitution to transfer an institution from one board to another by law enacted by
two-thirds of the elected members of each house. Also transfers the assets, funds, obligations,
liabilities, programs, and functions related to the institution. Provides that such transfer will
become effective immediately upon receipt of SACS approval for the change in governance.
(4) Requires the Bd. of Supervisors for the LSU System to develop policies and procedures to
resolve issues related to the status and tenure of UNO employees which may arise from the
transfer. Requires the board to maintain tenure policies and procedures that are in place for
UNO employees who have already been awarded tenure or are in a tenure-track position on
the date the transfer becomes effective. Provides that the UL Bd. of Supervisors shall:
(1) Continue to exercise its authority to supervise and manage UNO until such time as SACS
grants approval for the requested change in governance and transfer of the institution to the
LSU System.
(2) Work cooperatively and collaboratively with the LSU System board to ensure that the
transfer may be effected immediately upon receipt of SACS approval.
(3) Enter into agreements to transfer as many UNO administrative and supervisory functions as
possible to the LSU System, prior to receipt of SACS approval, without adversely impacting
the accreditation status of the institution.
(4)Immediately transfer all assets, funds, facilities, property, obligations, liabilities, programs,
and functions relative to UNO to the LSU System, upon receipt of SACS approval for the
transfer.
Provides that the UL Bd. of Supervisors shall not:
(1) Interfere with or impede in any way the processes to transfer UNO to the LSU System.
(2)Sell, transfer, or otherwise remove any asset or thing of value, movable or immovable,
tangible or intangible, attributable to or owned by UNO, or owned, leased by, or operated by
any foundation related to UNO on the effective date of proposed law. Further provides that
access to any asset leased to any foundation related to UNO shall not be restricted or denied.
(3)Incur, transfer or assign any debt or other responsibility or obligation to UNO that is not
properly attributable to either institution on the effective date of proposed law.
(4) Disproportionately reduce or reallocate the level of funding that would otherwise be allocated
to UNO pursuant to the postsecondary education funding formula. Provides that until UNO
is transferred to the LSU System, no budget reductions or changes in funding allocations for
the institution shall be imposed without prior review and approval from the Jt. Legislative
Committee on the Budget.
(5) Take any personnel action with regard to any instructional or administrative employee of
UNO without the prior approval of the Bd. of Supervisors of the LSU System.
Proposed law requires the commissioner of administration to ensure that sufficient funds and
resources are available to fully effect the transfer of UNO to the LSU System. Further requires the
legislature to appropriate sufficient funds to the Bd. of Supervisors of the UL System and the Bd.
of Supervisors for the LSU System to fully effect the transfer.
Proposed law requires the Bd. of Regents and the state of Louisiana to indemnify and hold harmless
the transferee and transferor management boards for any liability and costs which may directly result from the mandated transfer. Further provides that such funding and resources shall not impact the
Bd. of Regents' formula for equitable distribution of funds to institutions of higher education.
Proposed law provides that for one year after the effective date of the transfer, fees previously paid
by UNO to the Bd. of Supervisors of the UL System and which become due after the transfer shall
be paid to the Bd. of Regents, who will use the proceeds to defray transfer costs, including
indemnification insurance.
Proposed law clarifies that the proposed law does not preclude a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the boards under which an existing bonded indebtedness of the UL System. Board
would remain in force after an agreement that the Bd. of Supervisors for the LSU System would be
responsible for all payments, costs, and other covenants contained in the bonded indebtedness.
Requires the Bd. of Supervisors of the UL System "to make every effort" to maintain such bonded
indebtedness under an MOU if it is advantageous to the state.
Present law (R.S. 17:3230) provides that UNO is under the UL System.
Proposed law repeals this provision.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:3215(9) and 3241(B)(2); adds R.S. 17:3215(10) and 3230.1; repeals R.S.
17:3217(A)(9) and 3230)