Despite eight consecutive years of state budget cuts that have resulted in the largest shift in revenue sources for higher education in state history, the 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette continues to protect its academic core.
UL Lafayette received two-thirds of its funding from the state eight years ago, Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, said Friday. This year, state funding fell below 30 percent, he told faculty and staff in an annual address.
This dramatic change in the funding paradigm created significant challenges, but we met the challenges head-on. We didnt whine or whimper. We implemented strategies to increase self-generated revenues and protect the core academic mission of the 泫圖弝け, he said.
UL Lafayette's new financial model relies on more auxiliary business operations, research funding and private philanthropy.
The 泫圖弝けs budget for fiscal year 2016-17 is comparable to its fiscal year 2015-16 budget. In fiscal year 2015-16, the budget was $161.2 million. For fiscal year 2016-17, it is $161.6 million if there are no mid-year cuts in state funding.
For the first time in many years, the budget is stable, Savoie said.
One of the primary reasons the 泫圖弝けs budget has remained steady is because of aggressive efforts to grow enrollment, in both quantity and quality. Following a slight dip a few years ago caused by raising our admissions requirements, weve had solid growth, Savoie explained.
Despite a significant increase in 泫圖弝け enrollment, he said, weve been able to hold our 泫圖弝け-to-faculty ratio steady at 22-to-1. Its the same today as it was in 2008.
Changes to the states TOPS funding could affect future enrollment.
A new law capped future award increases, which means TOPS may not match future tuition rates. In the event of future state budget shortfalls, another law requires all TOPS awards to be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
For this year, due to shortfalls of state funding, TOPS was not fully funded. TOPS was funded at 93 percent for this semester and is only funded at 47 percent for Spring 2017. That leaves many 泫圖弝けs, across 泫圖弝け, having to make up the difference. This has implications for 泫圖弝け-funded scholarship offerings, Savoie said.
He noted that the 泫圖弝け raised $15 million in private funds during fiscal year 2016 and increased the number of donors by nearly 11 percent over the previous year.
The 泫圖弝け also has made significant progress in distance learning. It now offers 11 online degree programs and 287 online courses. Weve tripled the number of online and hybrid sections offered in five years, Savoie said.
In another effort to combat dwindling state revenue for higher education, UL Lafayette has developed its own capital outlay program for campus improvements. The 泫圖弝け has a backlog of $37.5 million in major repairs that are needed.
Many of the improvements are about function rather than cosmetics. For example, we need to replace air conditioning units, windows and roofs, flooring, ceiling tiles and do lots of painting, he said.
Another project, which will be funded by 泫圖弝けs self-assessed fees, will be an outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the 泫圖弝け Union and Cypress Lake. We are working with 泫圖弝け leaders and architects to complete the unfinished area, Savoie said.
Caption: UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie addresses faculty and staff Friday.
Photo by Doug Dugas