Published March 19, 2014
Dr. Joshua Stockley, associate professor of political science and L.M. McKneely endowed
professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, presented at the 75th Annual Conference
of Louisiana Colleges & Universities in Baton Rouge on March 7.
As part of a panel titled, “Current Political Trends Affecting Higher Education,”
Stockley spoke to a statewide audience about the fiscal decisions made by Louisiana’s
government that have resulted in cuts to higher education.
Stockley’s research shows that more than 3,000 higher education jobs have been lost
in the last five years within the network of campuses that make up the LSU and University
of Louisiana systems.
“It was an honor to have been invited by Dr. Joseph Savoie, president of the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette, to give this presentation,” said Stockley.
“I was alarmed by the number of people unaware of the magnitude of the cuts to higher
education and the reasons for these cuts. I hope the information that I shared will
allow others to spread the word about the fiscal situation facing higher education
in Louisiana and the economic value of higher education to Louisiana.”
The Conference for Louisiana Colleges and Universities (CLCU) was established with
the purpose of improving postsecondary education in Louisiana. It serves as a communications
medium for all institutions of higher education in the state and other constituents.
The CLCU is comprised of representatives from Louisiana’s accredited two-year and
four-year colleges and universities, as well as members of the Louisiana Board of
Regents and the management boards for each system.
The conference attracts higher education leaders and government officials from across
the state to exchange ideas on the improvement of post-secondary education in Louisiana.
