College merger, consolidation talk won’t subside

If state revenue doesn’t pick up and the budget picture doesn’t brighten, all the chatter about merging and consolidating Louisiana’s campuses will become much more than talk. In the northern part of the state, there are concerns about moving Louisiana Tech University from the University of Louisiana System into the LSU System. The University of New Orleans, meanwhile, is in the process of shifting to the UL System. As for what’s on the horizon, particularly in Acadiana, look no further than Senate Resolution 98 by Sen. Mike Michot, R-Lafayette. It was adopted by lawmakers during the recent session. The resolution sets into motion a feasibility study that will explore merging Acadiana Technical College and South Louisiana Community College. Supported by the Lafayette legislative delegation, the resolution presents an argument that a study is needed “in order to more adequately address the educational needs of students and the economic and workforce development needs of the greater Lafayette area.” The Board of Regents and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will be overseeing the study, whose findings are due next year. For the rest of 10/12 Corridor Weekly, click here. —Jeremy Alford