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Senate committee adopts amendments to move University of New Orleans transfer bill to next steps
Summary
Senate Education Committee adopted a multi-party amendment package and reported Senate Bill 202 favorably after lawmakers, Board of Regents and LSU representatives described a transition plan and fiscal and accreditation requirements for transferring the University of New Orleans into the LSU system.
Senate Bill 202, which would transfer the University of New Orleans (UNO) into the Louisiana State University system, was amended and reported favorably by the Senate Education Committee after lawmakers and higher-education officials outlined transition steps and financial contingencies.
The bill was presented by Senator Harris, the author, who said the measure would transfer "the University of New Orleans to the Louisiana State University system" and that the legislation reflects a Board of Regents study recommending the move. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education, and John Walters, representing LSU, described timelines and transition responsibilities included in the amendment package adopted by the committee.
The amendments require the LSU Board to develop policies on tenure for UNO employees, form a transition team with New Orleans stakeholders, and deliver a comprehensive transition plan by April 1, 2026, to the Board of Regents and education committees. Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed told the committee the package "requires them to form a transition team with stakeholders" and to report on a comprehensive plan. The amendment package also shifts certain indemnification and transfer-cost responsibilities to the state Commission of Administration, clarifies that the transfer requires Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation approval, and allows the legislature to place funding conditions tied to transition benchmarks.
Former state Representative Julie Stokes, who identified herself as an alumna and said she sits on the UL board, testified with concerns about approving a transfer without seeing a fuller plan but said she was not opposed and asked for safeguards. John Walters of LSU described systemwide enrollment gains and said UNO's enrollment had fallen from about 17,000 pre-Katrina to about 5,600 and that LSU plans to pursue enrollment and program growth if the transfer proceeds.
Committee members emphasized fiscal scrutiny: senators anticipated the bill will be referred to finance and noted a commitment from legislative leaders to consider appropriation and transition costs. The committee adopted the amendment package (14-02) without objection and, after discussion, "reported [SB 202] favorably" as amended; senators indicated the bill will also be reviewed by Senate Finance for the financial aspects of the transfer.
What happens next: committee members asked for a transition plan and for finance staff to review indemnification and funding responsibilities. The committee record shows that senators and the administration pledged to work with UNO, the Board of Regents and LSU to address continuity of operations, budgeting and accreditation steps before any final authorization of a transfer.
