Eight ULS Universities Vie for $439,000, Based on Performance

Published on under 2002 / News

Eight ULS Universities Vie for $439,000, Based on Performance – Mar 1, 2002

Under a plan adopted today by the University of Louisiana System (ULS) Board of Supervisors, eight universities will compete for a share of $439,000, based largely on how well they keep and graduate students.

“This plan gives our universities cash incentives to work with K-12 schools to reduce the need for remedial courses in college. We’re also measuring how well our universities retain TOPS scholarship recipients, achieve program accreditation, and graduate students,” said ULS President Dr. Sally Clausen.

Dr. Clausen said taxpayers get more value for their investments in higher education when students are ready for and succeed in college.

“It is more efficient and economical – both for families and the state – when students hit the ground running and perform well in college,” Dr. Clausen said.

She said the $439,000 comes from funds made available to the UL System by the Legislature and Board of Regents to supplement their appropriations, based on performance measures. Last year, the universities shared about $295,000 in performance funding.

The funds will be awarded based on achievements in the following areas:
· Program accreditation rates
· Freshman-to-sophomore retention rates
· Graduation rates
· Reduction of remedial costs and hours taught
· Percent of TOPS students eligible to return
· Accomplishments in the Unique Areas of Excellence
· Performance on financial audits

Dr. Clausen said information is being collected now from the universities, and the funds will likely be awarded at the April 26 meeting of the ULS Board in Baton Rouge.

The ULS schools vying for the funds are Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

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For More Information Contact:
Catherine Heitman
225/342-6950