Research at UL-Lafayette contributes over 60-million dollars annually to the economy of Lafayette, according to University President, Dr. Joe Savoie. Addressing a meeting of the Chamber's Education Division last week, Dr. Savoie noted that research efforts on the Lafayette campus is in the top 6% of Universities across the U.S. and is a significant contribution to the intellectual capacity of the school.
Rob Guidry, Lafayette Chamber President and CEO, says the significance of the University research component will be the focus of the Chamber's annual Business Over Breakfast on June 21st. According to Guidry, the event is a collaborative effort with the University and the Center for American Progress to explore the University's research role in support of the Gulf Coast economy.
Business Over Breakfast will be conducted at the Cajundome Convention Center from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on June 21, 2011. Two of the University's progressive leaders, Dr. Robert Twilley and Dr. Mark Zappi, will headline the presentation which will unveil the concept of a Regional Innovation Corridor. The thrust is to create strategic investments in University research and industry partnerships.
In addressing the Chamber's Education Division, Dr. Savoie also noted that higher education officials in Louisiana are anxiously tracking progress of GRAD Act 2.0 in the state legislature. He identified the bill as one of the most pressing legislative issues in the 2011 session.
Dr. Savoie emphasized that the legislation does not increase tuition nor does it remove oversight of the state's higher education system. What it does do, he said, is provide for additional operational autonomies, including but not limited to authority and exemptions relative to budgetary management, capital outlay, and procurement.
The proposed budget also remains an issue of concern for all levels of education. According to Dr. Savoie, while the budget is being portrayed as a standstill spending plan, it is contingent on proposed revenue streams; 100-million dollars based on various measures before the state legislature. He says that UL-Lafayette has avoided layoffs up to this point but a potential budget shortfall of 21% of the university's spending plan would necessitate a review of all operational expenses.
Meanwhile, construction on the Lafayette campus is progressing with the first of two student housing units scheduled to be opened in the fall of 2011 along with a second on-campus parking garage. With the additional opening of another dorm in the spring of 2012, Savoie says it will double on-campus housing capacity.
The UL-Lafayette leader is also looking forward to the construction of a new student union which he says will create a vibrant hub of student activity. The proposed three story facility is nearing design completion and the entire process is expected to take about 2 ½ years.
While major construction projects are underway to serve immediate needs, Dr. Savoie says a long range master plan is being developed for the Lafayette campus which includes the Cajundome and Research Park properties.
Savoie encouraged a strengthening of the University's relationship with the business community, specifically an enhancement of the partnership with the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. He noted that he is determined to keep making progress so that UL and Lafayette will be "ahead of the game once the economy improves and the budget loosens.”
