The (LA Tech/LSUS) Merger Thread II

[Cal&Ken]

All members of the committee from north Louisiana: Carmody (6th District), Thompson (8th), Burns (9th), Jefferson (11th) and Shadoin (12th) voted for the bill. Based on some of the posts on this board, Thompson's approval was a bit of a surprise.

Of the six members who support the Blueprint Louisiana agenda, only one voted against the bill, Bishop (99th)

Republicans voted 10-1 in favor, Democrats were split 3-3, and the lone Independent on the committee voted in favor of the bill.

Yes, it certainly was. He had told me different last week. I like Jeff and was hoping he would change his mind.

[detltu]

Thanks for the play by play guys. Some of us couldn't watch it and it was nice to be able to catch up.

[HogDawg]

Yes, it certainly was. He had told me different last week. I like Jeff and was hoping he would change his mind.

That's GREAT news to hear that he "flipped" to support the merger. Please THANK HIM for supporting it. (Unfortunately, I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate hearing from some of us Texans.)

Thanks to you guys in Louisiana who reached out and talked to these pols and let them know you are watching their vote!!! In some cases, it made a real difference.






HD

[Cal&Ken]

I already sent him a message thanking him. He was never adament against the merger, but was giving the "safeguard" speak. I am very glad he voted yes! Maybe once he started looking he was satisfied with what is in place. I haven't talked to him since the initial conversation.

[TechAlum05]

Thanks for the play by play guys. Some of us couldn't watch it and it was nice to be able to catch up.

The video from the meeting will be archived once the meeting is over.

http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/H...o_OnDemand.htm

[JuBru]

I'm surprised some of you are shocked that these people opposing this wonderful and necessary idea are against it because they don't want to lose their obedience to LSU and/or are in risk of losing their jobs because they lack the credentials and mental fortitude to do them.


Someone said earlier there are 4 4-year degree institutions within 100 miles of each other. But if you add LSU-A, it would be 5. This does not take into account Centenary or the other small improperly state-funded private schools in that radius either.

[DQDawg]

Great job, guys. Thanks for all the updates. Didn't you forget SUSLA for a 4 year school??

[Dawg06]

Agreed. Rep Smith voted against it, and she was the one grilling them about the costs of the merger. The pro-merger team has GOT to be better prepared to address the costs, and be able to COST JUSTIFY the merger. For example, while it may cost us $1.5M to complete the merger, I'm sure there will be some "savings" as as result of the merger. In fact, there will probably be a lot of savings. However, this was not pointed out at all in the presentation.

It's a pretty simple argument that I think Fannin may have tried to make, but he didn't deliver it well.

This merger is NOT about saving money. It's about CREATING money. It's about enrollment growth on the Shreveport campus. It's about having a much larger selection of degree programs that lead to higher paying jobs and a stronger workforce. It's about the businesses and industries that will come to Northwest Louisiana and flourish and boosting the businesses already in Northwest Louisiana. It's about attracting people and businesses from out-of-state to come to NW Louisiana. All of those things will create much more tax revenue than the costs associated with the merger. That's why all the chambers of commerce support this. In addition, Louisiana Tech has an ROI of over $7 for every $1 of state funding given to Tech.

[Dawg06]

Great job, guys. Thanks for all the updates. Didn't you forget SUSLA for a 4 year school??

2-year JUCO like BPCC

[GermDawg]

I'm surprised some of you are shocked that these people opposing this wonderful and necessary idea are against it because they don't want to lose their obedience to LSU and/or are in risk of losing their jobs because they lack the credentials and mental fortitude to do them.


Someone said earlier there are 4 4-year degree institutions within 100 miles of each other. But if you add LSU-A, it would be 5. This does not take into account Centenary or the other small improperly state-funded private schools in that radius either.

Who's shocked? Only people against it are some of the LSUS faculty & alums and the System; the 4 reps that voted No I think could be swayed yes if we get the numbers behind the state savings straight and/or an outside plan to help pay for the transfer/merger costs...

[Dawg06]

If you are from Webster Parish, please let them know what you think.

http://www.press-herald.com/index.ph...nput-on-merger

That ignorant LSUS professor is weighing in again...

#4 Professor Emeritus — Charlene H. Barlow 2012-05-07 14:09 No for the LSUS take-over by Tech! There is no reason for the Ark-La-Tex to hand over LSUS to Ruston. LSUS is a bargain for area students who desire a degree from a big name university (LSU) without having to relocate. The average person on the street outside of Louisiana has never heard of Tech. No new jobs will be added to this area because of a merger. If anything, local jobs will be taken away. In addition, if you will check Tech's ranking in U.S. News and World Report, you will find that LSU BR outranks Tech in every division. No, it would be a terrrible mistake to give this or any other local campus to Ruston. Ask the LSUS faculty what they think: most are opposed to this takeover.

[Dawg06]

The Times: Merger heads to La. House

[ChuckK3]

If you are from Webster Parish, please let them know what you think.

http://www.press-herald.com/index.ph...nput-on-merger

That ignorant LSUS professor is weighing in again...

Am I correct in saying LSUS is in SHREVEPORT and LSU BR is in BATON ROUGE? Or did something happen with the geography of this state when I wasn't looking?

[HogDawg]

This merger is NOT about saving money. It's about CREATING money. It's about enrollment growth on the Shreveport campus. It's about having a much larger selection of degree programs that lead to higher paying jobs and a stronger workforce. It's about the businesses and industries that will come to Northwest Louisiana and flourish and boosting the businesses already in Northwest Louisiana. It's about attracting people and businesses from out-of-state to come to NW Louisiana. All of those things will create much more tax revenue than the costs associated with the merger. That's why all the chambers of commerce support this. In addition, Louisiana Tech has an ROI of over $7 for every $1 of state funding given to Tech.

I agree with you. I know this is all about economic growth in the SB market. However, I also know how politician's think; they are not entrepreneurs. They think in terms of "cost savings", not economic growth. And this is expecially true in tough economic times, when government is making cuts everywhere. The pro merger group needs to keep this in mind and appeal to the pols' conservative "cost cutting" characteristics.







HD

[GermDawg]

I'm a little disappointed in Fannin, he came to bat with the Cost Savings argument and had NOTHING to back it up...