Regents backs consolidation of SUNO/UNO management

Louisiana’s top higher education board has voted to back a consolidation of Southern University at New Orleans and the University of New Orleans under a new management structure. Today’s 9-6 vote of the Board of Regents came against the wishes of SUNO leaders and students who argued such a move would leave black students with fewer educational opportunities. The Regents chose one of two scenarios recommended by a Colorado-consultant to improve education in New Orleans. The proposal wouldn’t be a complete merger. The campuses would share technology, human resources and other administrative functions under the umbrella of a new “University of Greater New Orleans.” They would be shifted to the University of Louisiana System, but they would maintain separate academic officers, separate accreditations and separate missions. Gov. Bobby Jindal came out Monday in favor of the suggestion adopted by the Regents and says he wants to use it as a starting point for drafting legislation to consolidate the schools.