College class sizes will grow, and services will be trimmed as Louisiana’s public universities work out their budget-cutting plans for this fiscal year. But the widespread layoffs and program eliminations once predicted for college campuses appear unlikely.
Louisiana’s public colleges took a nearly $120 million reduction this year that was smaller and less devastating than the original cut proposals. University leaders say they’ll make due with shrinking funds, but they warn the cuts will curtail their course offerings, research work and student programs. Though the new fiscal year began July 1, the colleges still are working out their budget cut plans. Only LSU’s campuses have firmed up their plans so far. Final plans for all campuses are expected to be complete by early August.
