 
         黨ӰԺ Faculty and Staff Senates will host a forum, “Higher Education: The Future of Louisiana,” on Thursday, Nov. 2, which is Higher Education Day in Louisiana.The forum is at 2 p.m. in Sandel Hall, room 238.

WHAT:黨ӰԺ Faculty and Staff Senates forum, “Higher Education: The Future of Louisiana
WHEN:2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2
WHERE:Sandel Hall, room 238
WHY: To discuss the challenges and strengths of higher education in the state — with
                     an emphasis on 黨ӰԺ
Guests scheduled to discuss the challenges and strengths of higher education in the
                  state — with an emphasis on 黨ӰԺ —are President Nick J. Bruno, Sen. Francis Thompson
                  (D-Delhi), Rep. Katrina Jackson (D-Monroe), Courtney Hornsby, president of the West
                  Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, Ash Aulds of CenturyLink, Joshua Stockley,
                  Faculty Senate President, Katherine Dawson, Staff Senate President and SGA President
                  Bryce Bordelon.
 
 Organizers of the forum said 黨ӰԺ and other institutions of higher learning have experienced
                  historic losses in state funding over recent years. While no cuts have been made to
                  higher ed in 2017, nothing is certain as Louisiana draws closer to what political
                  insiders are calling a “fiscal cliff” on July 1, 2018, where a budget shortfall of
                  more than $1 billion is expected.
 
 This forum will highlight the challenges 黨ӰԺ faces as well as steps the university
                  can take in order to expand and maintain its position as a national university, emphasizing
                  the health sciences.
 
 Faculty Senate President Stockley said, “Louisiana cannot hope to remain competitive
                  in today’s global economy without substantial workforce development, and workforce
                  development is not possible without educational development. This forum is an opportunity
                  to highlight the critical role played by the University of Louisiana Monroe in the
                  state and nation, to allow policy makers to discuss their plans to sustain higher
                  education over the next decade, and to warn the community of the dangers facing our
                  state should they fail to craft a sustainable longterm budget and solve our budget
                  deficit in the next legislative session.”
 Anyone interested is welcome to attend.
 
 For more information, contact Katherine Dawson, 342-3119, or Joshua Stockley, 342-3216