Since March, Clark has worked behind the scenes to fill a projected $2 million budget gap at LSUS while wrapping up responsibilities in North Carolina.
He cut positions, including some faculty jobs, to save an estimated $475,000 before the 2014-15 budget year started today. A $1.5 million, long-term loan from the LSU system will plug the rest of the budget gap so LSUS doesn’t have to dip into money earmarked for scholarships and student assistance.
“The administrative leadership team has been superb. There are no dollars just sitting around to be cut,” Clark said. “I met with the Noel Foundation, and they provided $100,000 for the first year of interested on the loan from the LSU System. It is a loan, and we do have to repay it.”
“We really need to increase the number of students by 1,500,” he said. “In the short term, even 100 students -- 75 full-time and 25 part-time -- would have an impact.”