Extreme Makeover Road Edition: Governor gives $10 Million to Revamp Campus infrastructure

Governor Jon Bel Edwards reaffirmed his commitment to Southern University and A&M College last Wednesday, making an announcement to pledge $10 million towards fixing damaged campus roads due to erosion and failed drainage structures. The damage was brought to his attention in June as he toured the campus.
“In terms of natural beauty, Southern is unrivaled as a college campus in Louisiana,” Gov. Edwards pointed out to a packed crowd, “but [with that] presents unique challenges.”
Eight photographs stood behind him as he spoke under a tent across from T.T. Allain Hall.
The images showed noticeable examples from the effects of the damages.
Evidence of water damage became apparent in 2014.
The aftermath of last year’s severe flooding and previous temporary fixes did not help the situation. Edwards stressed that a permanent solution will finally be in place by the end of construction. He also made clear that “funding for the project will go to the highest priority of any college campus in the state of Louisiana.” $7.5 million of the cost for the project will come directly through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The other 25 percent will come from a joint effort of matched funds by the university, City of Baton Rouge, the Board of Regents, and Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). The DOTD will also oversee the project through its completion. No official timetable was given pertaining to the start or finish of the project.
Edwards says this move will benefit the university in terms of both safety and recruitment. “Now I know it says Agricultural, he joked, “but you shouldn’t have to drive through a pasture in order to get to the dormitories.”
Graduate law student, Jared Bordere, feels as if the current rate of construction is slow, but the new project to improve the campus as a whole is still necessary. “First impressions are everything,” he said, “It’s about time the areas around [Southern] are being addressed.”
Bordere uses the eroding bridge to commute five to six days out of the week. Administrative Assistant in the Department of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies Gail Rosemond does not use the bridge as often. However, she has received reports in the past of students complaining of dust and mud. “Construction is a good thing…we have to tear down to build up,” she points out, “but also consider the students.”