WWL.com March 15, 2011 Regents approve consolidating UNO and SUNO administrations, not merging schools By Dave Cohen The Louisiana Board of Regents has voted 9 - 6 to recommend to the Louisiana legislature that the administrations of the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans be combined. "We are not talking about a merger," said consultant Dennis Jones. "If you proceed with a merger, frankly it is inconsistent with our criteria and recommendations." Board members then approved Jones' recommendations and stressed that the move will not eliminate either institution. Both schools will retain their names and separate missions. Before the vote, the panel discussed insuring that the "history, tradition and culture" of each of the Universities will be preserved under the plan. The move, which goes next to the Louisiana Legislature, will allow students at either university to utilize the resources of both schools and combine what officials called "back office operations." The goals expressed included improving the ability of both universities to offer students better opportunities for success by consolidating governance and saving money by not duplicating administrative functions of universities. Critics, however, insisted that combining any aspects of the two institutions waters down the identities of both universities. The vote came after very critical comments from SUNO students, faculty, staff and supporters. One student begged the board, "Don't take my school away, don't take it away." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org www.hbculibraries.org 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org Honor the ancestors, honor the children.