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Board of Regents budget hearing: systems highlight deferred maintenance, capital priorities and program funding needs
Summary
At a Sept. 24 Board of Regents finance hearing, system leaders and Board of Regents budget staff outlined priorities: ramped capital projects and deferred maintenance, cybersecurity and IT modernization, workforce training, and campus safety. Several speakers warned about fragile scholarship budgets and athletics deficits across the UL system.
The Board of Regents finance committee heard detailed budget and program presentations on Sept. 24 from Board of Regents staff and leaders of Louisiana's public higher education systems. The hearing combined an REC fiscal overview with institutional briefings from the Board of Regents agency, LUMCON, LASFA/LSOFA (student financial assistance), LCTCS, Southern University, LSU (system and health centers) and the University of Louisiana System.
Board of Regents staff summary
Elizabeth Bentley Smith (Deputy Commissioner for Finance Administration, Board of Regents) reviewed the agency and system budget changes for FY26, noting modest general fund shifts but larger self‑generated revenue requests driven by enrollment increases at some campuses. She said mandated personal‑services adjustments were required under HB 1 and that “federal funding funding that is to correct an error” was being aligned in FY25. Board finance staff emphasized they are coordinating with system CFOs on mandatory adjustments and non‑recurring allocations.
LOSFA and scholarship pressure: "We will be blessed if we make it to Oct. 1"
Simone (LASFA/LOSFA senior…
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