ADVOCATE FOR UNO

Occasionally, we see issues arise in the local, state, and federal governments that affect us here at UNO directly or indirectly. We'll post them as they arise and ask that you vote, write/call your congresspeople, or somehow advocate on behalf of UNO and higher education in Louisiana and the country.

Louisiana Amendment 1 - December 5, 2020 Ballot

Amendment 1, or The Lod Cook Act, was approved unanimously by the Louisiana House and Senate. It allows up to two out-of-state board members to serve on the state’s higher education management boards. UNO is a member of the University of Louisiana System, so this amendment would affect the UL System Board of Supervisors.

On the ballot, the wording of amendments is often confusing. Since this issue affects all the Louisiana higher education systems, we’d like to offer a clear explanation of the amendment and how it can benefit institutions like ours.

A "YES" Vote on Amendment 1 ...

WILL	Will NOT
√ Broaden expertise and welcome new perspectives to Louisiana higher education boards.	Ø Increase costs for taxpayers or universities since board members are volunteers who are not paid for their service.
√ Keep Louisiana residents as the majority of the board makeup.	Ø Disrupt the current board.
√ Place Louisiana alongside 30 other states that allow out- of-state residents on their boards.	Ø Mandate out-of-state members. It simply provides systems the option to recommend out-of- state appointees.
√ Increase the likelihood of external funding for higher education thanks to expanded networking and outreach.

Read the Letter to the Editor from the Louisiana Board of Regents and Chairs of all four Louisiana Systems of Higher Education:

Letter to the Editor, Page 1

Letter to the Editor, Page 2