SUNO chancellor: Low grad rate is no reason to merge

Victor Ukpolo, the chancellor of Southern University of New Orleans, says the historically black school’s low graduation rate is no reason to merge it with the neighboring campus of the University of New Orleans. Ukpolo says the 2008 graduation rate of just under 7% was largely due to Hurricane Katrina, which severely damaged the campus in 2005 and sent many students away temporarily or permanently. SUNO officials say enrollment is rebounding despite lingering signs of Katrina’s destruction. Their remarks followed a meeting today where hundreds of students and alumni voiced opposition to the merger idea, which is being studied by the state’s top higher education board at the behest of Gov. Bobby Jindal.