SUNO-UNO merger study allowed to continue

The study of a possible merger of Southern University at New Orleans with the University of New Orleans can resume, after a temporary restraining order that had stalled the study was lifted today. District Judge Tim Kelley dissolved the restraining order, which had been issued earlier this week by District Judge Janice Clark, saying it had procedural problems. The Board of Regents has hired a Colorado-based consultant to look at a possible merger of the historically black SUNO campus and the largely white, heavily commuter-based UNO campus, at the request of Gov. Bobby Jindal. A group of Southern University students filed a lawsuit against Jindal and the Regents seeking to stop any effort toward consolidation until the board’s composition is reworked. The lawsuit, filed on the students’ behalf by former state Sen. Cleo Fields, argues the board makeup is unconstitutional because it doesn’t adequately represent black and female Louisianans. A court hearing is scheduled Thursday on the lawsuit’s request for an injunction and for a declaration that the board’s membership is unconstitutional. Jindal requested recommendations on a possible SUNO/UNO consolidation from the Regents by March 1.