Elizabeth A. Bentley-Smith

The Board of Regents met to address several agenda items across multiple committees. The Finance Committee reviewed and accepted the fiscal year higher education budget, highlighting increases in general funds and revenue, and discussed a public-private partnership for student housing at LSU Shreveport along with energy efficiency projects for Louisiana Tech. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee approved the reauthorization of the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs, discussed a letter of intent for a Master of Science in Epidemiology at LSU Health Science Center, and considered a new undergraduate certificate and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The Planning, Research, and Performance Committee handled institutional licensing renewals and membership renewals.

The Board of Regents meeting covered several key topics. Discussion included the proposal of a feasibility study for legal education in Northwest Louisiana, the preliminary 2021 funding formula and budget requests for higher education, and the approval of capital outlay projects, including roof replacements and biology lab expansions. Additionally, the Board discussed the redevelopment of the Charity Hospital site in New Orleans. Academic agenda items included the reauthorization of the research institute on blindness at Louisiana Tech and the review of letters of intent for new Bachelor of Science programs at Southeastern and LSU.

The meeting featured a presentation by the Governor regarding the importance of higher education and its link to the state's economic future. Key discussion topics included the state's commitment to increased investment in higher education, the development of master plans, the expansion of dual enrollment opportunities for students, and the importance of workforce development. The board and various university system representatives expressed gratitude for the Governor's support and emphasized the collaborative efforts required to improve educational outcomes and career opportunities across the state.

The board meeting included a detailed review of the 2018 annual report for the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund, covering the fund's historical performance, asset allocation, and investment strategies. Additionally, the Board of Regents presented an update on the state's master plan for talent development, focusing on the goal of increasing the percentage of the population with post-secondary credentials by 2030.

The meeting included a joint session between the Board of Regents and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Key topics discussed included a presentation of the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund report, covering historical growth, portfolio asset allocation, and investment performance. The committee addressed the downward trend in oil and gas royalties, the impact of market volatility on the trust fund, and management strategies. Furthermore, the meeting featured an introduction to the Fast Forward project, a collaborative initiative between the Board of Regents and the Department of Education designed to expand opportunities for high school students and advance state educational attainment goals.