Tally on tap: The latest commission set up to study the governance, management and funding of Louisiana’s public colleges is set to start voting on its recommendations, which are due to lawmakers by January. The 18-member study commission waded through a pile of proposals Monday, with votes on the ideas scheduled for today. Proposals include revamping the state’s free college tuition program, called TOPS; reshuffling schools among the different university systems; and changing the funding plans for colleges. Nearly all would need legislative approval to enact. The study group includes lawmakers, higher education officials, business leaders and others. It has been meeting monthly. A similar study commission—composed of national and regional higher education experts—was convened last year. The Legislature adopted some, but not all, of that commission’s recommendations.
On the rise: A vertical construction kickoff ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the corner of Lafayette and Main streets for the new Hampton Inn & Suites. Ground was broken Sept. 21 on the $17 million, 137-room hotel. Greenville, S.C.- based Windsor/Aughtry Co. is developing the property. Bo Aughtry of Windsor/Aughtry Co., Mayor Kip Holden and Walter Monsour of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority are among those slated to be on hand. Refreshments will be available following the ceremony at the Kress Gallery on Main Street, adjacent to the site.
Going pro: The foundations of Baton Rouge natives and former LSU basketball greats Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Tyrus Thomas will host the Baton Rouge Classic Charity Game at the Baton Rouge Community College Auditorium at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. The game will benefit their respective foundations—The Glen “Big Baby” Davis Foundation and The Tyrus Thomas Foundation—along with the BRCC athletic department. NBA players expected to take part in the game include Marcus Thornton, Brandon Bass, Rudy Gay, Danny Granger, Stephen Jackson, Joakim Noah and Stephen Curry. Tickets for the game are $20 and will go on sale online in the coming days. For more information click here.
