ANNOUNCEMENTS

News about LSU’s Future
December 8, 2010

From: Mike Martin, Chancellor
To: LSU Faculty, Staff and Students

Today I have two exciting announcements.

The first is that the University is rolling out “Flagship 2020: LSU Transforms Lives,” the next iteration of the University’s original Flagship Agenda, which led LSU to make such remarkable progress over the last decade.

The second is that I now have renewed confidence in the University’s ability to accomplish the goals of Flagship 2020, because of the work of a new, powerful group of LSU supporters, Louisiana’s Flagship Coalition. The Coalition’s aim is to push through the Legislature a plan that would put LSU on a path to long-term financial self-sufficiency. This plan proposes major cost reductions and a modest revenue increase to help LSU operate more efficiently, pose less of a burden to taxpayers, and advance as a nationally competitive university. If Flagship 2020 is our academic vision for the future, the Coalition’s plan is the vehicle to get us there.

The Flagship Coalition met with the Governor yesterday, and I am pleased to say that the Governor gave the Coalition’s plan his strong support. Of course, we will continue to look to our state leadership, particularly the Legislature, for courageous and creative initiatives that support a strong flagship university. And we will continue to work with the LSU Board of Supervisors and our System colleagues to ensure that we all complement each other’s efforts.

Please visit www.lsu.edu/flagshipagenda to view the Flagship 2020 Agenda, and please stay attuned to news of the Coalition’s plan. Both documents are vital to the immediate and long-term future of our University. We look forward to receiving feedback from the Board of Supervisors and other members of the LSU community.

This news about our future should encourage us all, as should the successes we have continued to make in the face of great challenges. Without doubt, the series of budget cuts we’ve experienced over the past two years have forced difficult decisions and adversely affected our capacity to keep the covenant we must maintain with our students and the residents we serve. Still, to date, thanks to the talents and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and supporters, LSU remains a top-tier, widely respected, internationally recognized university.

Enrollment—LSU welcomed the second-largest, most diverse, best-prepared class in LSU history. Louisiana students continue to value a high-quality education.

Forever LSU—We have successfully completed the $750 million “Forever LSU” campaign. Alumni in Louisiana and beyond still value a strong flagship university. We owe great thanks to Henson Moore for leading this effort.

Faculty and Student Awards—LSU’s students and faculty continue to win national awards and recognition at the highest levels, proving LSU provides national-caliber opportunities.

Research—LSU’s faculty members continue to be nationally competitive in scholarship. Grant and research activity are up more than 50 percent from just a decade ago.

Performance—By every measure—retention/graduation rate, research productivity, operational efficiency, and more—LSU leads the state and competes effectively with its peer institutions. LSU’s graduation rate is 61 percent, for example, while the average for all the state’s public universities is just 38 percent.

The LAGrad Act—The LAGrad Act, passed and made into law in the 2010 Legislative Session, is a meaningful first step in providing greater autonomy for improved performance for all Louisiana colleges and universities.  LSU is particularly well positioned to advance under this reform measure.

Impact—We recently recognized ten faculty members whose research on the BP oil spill will shape policy and response efforts to future environmental disasters. This is only one example of how the University continues to impact our community and state through scholarship, service-learning, outreach programming, and volunteerism.

Athletics and Academics—We are especially proud to be one of only two universities in the country whose athletic department receives no state funds, no student fees, and actually contributes financially to the classroom.

Campus Improvements—Despite the current economy, we have made long-term capital investments in the campus including the Business Education Complex, Choppin Hall Annex, a new band hall, construction of new and renovations of existing residence halls, and expansion of the PMAC.  

As we celebrate our 150th anniversary as a University, it’s clear that we have made great strides despite the challenges we face. I have every confidence that with great supporters like the Flagship Coalition, with the promise of a financial model appropriate for a flagship institution, and with the outstanding faculty, staff, and students of this University, we will continue our progress toward national prominence.

Have a very happy holiday season.