Not what it was: Enrollment in Louisiana’s public higher education system has dropped by about 4.4% in a five-year span, The Advertiser reports. Enrollment has dropped by about 10,000 students in five years, from roughly 225,000 in 2010 to 215,000 in 2015. During that time, schools have significantly raised tuition and fees as well as cut costs through eliminating programs. The LSU System was the only state system to buck the trend—its enrollment increased about 5%, gaining 2,356 students since 2010. Fall 2015 enrollment was 45,626. The Southern University System, the smallest system in the state, lost 958 students, or 6.8% in five years. It has more than 13,000 students in four schools, down from 14,019 in 2010. According to College Board, the average tuition and fees for in-state schools went from $4,733 in 2010-11 to $7,871 in 2015-16, a 66% increase. Read the full story.
Feeding the hungry: Smithfield Foods is donating 80,000 pounds of protein to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, the company has announced in a news release. The donations will be delivered over the next two weeks. Currently, Smithfield’s refrigerated Helping Hungry Homes truck is housing 40,000 pounds of protein and a truck with another 40,000 pounds will be delivered by Friday. The food bank, which took in roughly four feet of water during Louisiana’s historic flood, has received donations from organizations, businesses and individuals from across the country. Last week, Helping Hungry Homes also provided 25,000 pounds of protein, which Operation BBQ Relief and Sam’s Club in Denham Springs served as warm meals for flood victims.
Signing off: Gastroenterology Associates has struck a deal with Baton Rouge General Medical Center to provide dedicated gastroenterology professionals at the General’s Perkins Road gastroenterology center, the hospital announced today. The deal, which goes into effect on Jan. 9, also will help Baton Rouge General provide additional coverage for gastroenterology procedures in its hospitals. The partnership is part of the General’s strategic plan that was announced last fall and designed to expand the hospital’s reach, enhance coordination among providers, and increase convenience and satisfaction for patients. “Gastrointestinal and digestive problems are incredibly common in Louisiana,” Baton Rouge General acting President and CEO Edgardo Tenreiro says in a statement. “By working together with Gastroenterology Associates, we can offer more patients the comprehensive, expert services that have created an unparalleled patient experience for the people of Louisiana.”
