LSU System and UL System to Work Together as UNO Transition Awaits Final Approval by SACS-COC

NEW ORLEANS – Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed legislation into law, which begins the formal approval process to transfer the University of New Orleans from the Louisiana State University System to the University of Louisiana System.  The formal transfer under the legislation takes place when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) approves accreditation under the new management board at its next meeting scheduled for December 3-6.

“As the gatekeeper of quality assurance, we are cognizant of the important role SACS-COC plays.  We will work diligently with the campus and the LSU System to set the groundwork for a seamless transfer once final approval is granted.  We are fortunate to have a longstanding, collaborative relationship with our sister system,” said UL System President Randy Moffett.

“Over the next five months, the LSU System will work closely with the UL System to ensure a smooth transition.  During this interim period, normal operations will continue to flow through the LSU System, but we will consult with the UL System on any significant matters.  Additionally, in light of the anticipated transfer, we are closing the previously suspended UNO Chancellor Search and discharging the search committee with thanks so that the UL System may initiate its own process at the appropriate time,” said LSU System President John Lombardi.

Now that the legislation has been signed into law by Governor Jindal, immediate next steps in the transition are for UNO to send a letter to SACS-COC requesting the change in governance, and a related Substantive Change Report must be filed by the campus to SACS-COC by October 1.  Concurrently, the campus and both systems will identify transition issues and actions that need to be implemented in areas such as finance, operations, academic and student affairs.

“We have much work to do, but the goal is to minimize disruption to students, services and personnel at UNO,” said Lombardi and Moffett.

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ABOUT UNO: Founded in 1956, the University of New Orleans has been one of the city’s foremost public resources for over 50 years.  Today, it enrolls over 11,000 students from across the globe.  Classified as a Carnegie II Institution with High Research Activity, the university has over 90 undergraduate and graduate programs with over 20 research centers.

ABOUT THE LSU SYSTEM: The LSU System is a wide-ranging enterprise that includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. Its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution within the LSU System plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and new technologies into their daily lives.  LSU researchers are working on developing innovations that increase the national prominence of the university system. LSU medical education and healthcare delivery institutions are improving the quality of life in Louisiana with disease management and advanced medical treatments.

ABOUT THE UL SYSTEM: The University of Louisiana System is the largest higher education system in the state enrolling over 83,000 students at 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.