Governance commission convenes today

A special task force charged with investigating the structure of Louisiana’s public postsecondary education system kicked off a two-day inaugural meeting this morning and is expected to gather monthly until the 2012 regular legislative session. The state Governance Commission was established by the Legislature earlier this year at the urging of Rep. Thomas G. Carmody Jr., R-Shreveport. Among other topics, the commission has been asked to investigate the creation of a single board to govern public postsecondary institutions and offer a “detailed articulation” of the distribution of authority and responsibilities among entities, offices and institutions. This month’s agenda also covers performance funding, tuition and financial aid. Several presenters are slated to speak today, including Rich Petrick, executive director of the Ohio Business Alliance for Higher Education and the Economy. The commission’s official recommendations must be handed over to lawmakers 60 days prior to next year’s session. Additional information, such as membership on the commission and future meeting dates, can be found here. All meetings will be streamed live here. —Jeremy Alford