Higher Ed. & TOPS face massive cuts; Governor Edwards Speaks out

In late January Governor John Bel Edwards notified higher education in Louisiana was notified by of a possible $131 million budget cut. Of this cut the Southern University System faces almost an $80 million budget reduction. As of Sunday February 14 the special legislative session began to devise a plan of action to address the potential financial disaster.
President-Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton mentioned in a previous article that we will weather this storm, how we always have, and we are sure that the legislatures will step up and give us the relief we need.
During this special session Governor Edwards is asking lawmaking legislatures to consider increasing sales tax on goods such as cigarettes, alcohol, and rental services.
Due to the state’s financial crisis Taylor Opportunity Program for Students(TOPS) was temporarily ceased on February 11 and resumed on February 12. TOPS was left with an underfunded amount of $28 million, which in return the universities will absorb, after being ordered by Edwards.
“I am a first generation college student,” said Animal Science Major Brianna Bellard of Opelousas
“If I don’t get TOPS next semester I’m not sure if I can afford to pay for my tuition, meaning I would have to sit out,” said Bellard.
Senior Mechanical Engineer Benjamin Key of Brusly says he is close to graduation, and is not looking forward to giving that accomplishment up.
“I’m about to graduate and next semester without TOPS funding, I’m not sure how we as students will be able to afford to go to class. I do not plan to sit out a semester, because usually when a student does that, they never come back,” said Key.
According to the Louisiana Office of Financial Aid (LOSFA) there are currently over 46,000 students that receive the TOPS scholarship. Although funds were resumed for this semester, funds are not promising for the next. In the event that the legislatures do not find a way to support TOPS, in order to sustain the program, the qualifications of students would be raised, such as requiring a higher GPA and ACT score.
Junior Secondary Education major Natori Sims, of Zachary, says that the idea of not having TOPS is a wow factor.
“I’m thinking this is crazy. what do they expect us as students to do? I am sure there are some many students that are so close to graduation, and may have to wait,” said Sims. Students would have to have a higher GPA and ACT Score to qualify.
Affecting students statewide, several universities have proposed suggestions, some in the event of a worst case scenario, and some active immediately.
Nicholls State University in Thibodaux is considering closing school for two weeks as their absolute last option, while Grambling State, who has not had a permanent Athletic Director since 2014 has paused the search of a new Athletic Director, due to the budget crises.
“Closing universities mid-semester could mean students would receive an incomplete grade in this semester’s classes,” said Governor Edwards during his special address.