The University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette has emerged from a series of state budget cuts primed to continue increasing enrollment and its graduation rate.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, said Tuesday that despite a 55 percent decrease in state funding since fiscal year 2009, the University has prospered, thanks, in part, to an increase in self-generated funds.
鈥淗igher education funding in our state has moved, from us being a state university to being state supported to being state assisted and now, we鈥檙e state located,鈥 he said jokingly during a State of the University address at Angelle Hall.
鈥淲e鈥檙e clearly becoming more and more dependent on ourselves,鈥 Savoie said.
He credited a new financial model that relies on more auxiliary and research funding, as well as efforts to increase enrollment, and retention and graduation rates.
鈥淲e attained some increased operational autonomy and because we met the requirements of the GRAD Act, we were able to increase tuition by 10 percent. We also received authority for some other targeted fee increases,鈥 he said.
The Granting Resources and Autonomy for Resources for Diplomas Act gives higher education institutions increased independence and tuition flexibility that depends on meeting statewide performance goals, including increasing graduation rates.
The University's graduation rate, which is measured by the percentage of undergraduates who earn degrees within six years, has risen by more than 49 percent over the last decade. It is third-highest in the state among public universities.
Enrollment also continues to climb steadily, following a slight dip in enrollment a few years ago due to tougher admissions standards.
For the Fall 2014 semester, 18,796 students enrolled at the University, the highest enrollment in school history. That total represented an increase of more than 3 percent over the previous fall, when 18,235 students enrolled.
Applications for admission from outside Acadiana have also risen by more than 18 percent this year. 鈥淚 think this is recognition of our rising to a statewide school of choice,鈥 Savoie said.
The president said the University plans to add 70 faculty members in the coming academic year. He also announced a 4 percent pay increase for faculty and staff.
Other plans include investing in more scholarships, boosting the number of graduate assistantships, expanding distance learning, upgrading academic facilities, and increasing support for Dupr茅 Library.
Dr. Jim Henderson, UL Lafayette provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, outlined a strategic plan that will guide the University for the next five years.
Development of that plan is being led by a steering committee that is seeking faculty and student input.