• By JORDAN BLUM
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Feb 4, 2010 - Page: 1B

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Louisiana’s top college leaders gathered Wednesday at LSU to discuss the reality of budget cuts and the need to downsize while becoming more efficient.

The higher education officials and House Speaker Jim Tucker agreed that the Louisiana Legislature should hand over tuition control to college management boards, as long as it is done with limitations.

LSU System President John Lombardi said everything boils down to money, even though his colleagues like to say that educational values are most important.

“I say, ‘But where are the values without the revenues.’ They say, ‘Well, John, you’re a Philistine and you’re a jerk,’” Lombardi said.

“I say, ‘I know I’m a Philistine and a jerk, but I go to church,’ ” he continued. “I have been to every denomination in America and there isn’t one that doesn’t pass the plate. Not one.”

Wednesday’s Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities, which had not met in more than a year, focused much of its discussions on budget cuts, education reforms and tuition increases.

After finally reaching the Southern regional funding average in 2007, about $250 million was removed from Louisiana’s higher education coffers during the past 13 months because of declining state revenue. More than 200 academic programs were axed statewide in the past year and layoffs continue.

Gov. Bobby Jindal will unveil his executive budget proposal Feb. 12 for the 2011 fiscal year that begins July 1. More college cuts are expected, although Jindal has said he is working to “mitigate” such cuts.

“In 13 months, we’ve managed to undo the last 10 years,” University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett said.

But Tucker, R-Terrytown, said he wants colleges to begin having the ability to phase in tuition increases to reach the Southern averages. That would allow some schools to hike their costs by more than 50 percent over the next few years, provided lawmakers and voters approve the constitutional amendment that would be necessary to implement the change.

“The Legislature is coming around to the idea that we need to do something about tuition authority,” Tucker said. “But I’m keenly sensitive to the idea that colleges remain affordable.”

Tulane University President Scott Cowen said fundraising remains challenging, the public is less trusting of higher education.

“True transformation” of higher education is needed in Louisiana and nationally, Cowen said. He added that such total transformation is “near impossible” though without a major crisis.