University of Louisiana System press release


CUTLINE:
The University of Louisiana System awarded $60,701 in performance funding to
Southeastern Louisiana University on Friday.  The university was recognized
for work in seven areas including program accreditation rates, student
retention and Unique Areas of Excellence. Pictured left to right are ULS
Board Member Elsie Burkhalter of Slidell; ULS President Dr. Sally Clausen;
Southeastern President Dr. Randy Moffett; ULS Board Chairman Gordon Pugh;
and ULS Board Member Andre Coudrain of Hammond.
 <> 

For Immediate Release:  April 26, 2002
Contact:  Rusty Jabour, 225-342-6950
Website:  www.ulsystem.net

ULS Board Awards $439,000 to Eight Universities for Performance

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System (ULS) today
awarded checks from $41,000 to $71,000 to its eight universities based in
part on how well they keep and graduate students.

"We agree with citizens who demand accountability from their public schools,
universities and students.  That's why we put a premium on performance,"
said ULS President Dr. Sally Clausen.

"This program gives our universities cash incentives to work with K-12
schools to reduce the need for remedial courses in college.  We also measure
how well our universities retain TOPS scholarship recipients, achieve
program accreditation, and graduate students," she said.

Dr. Clausen said taxpayers get more value for their investments in higher
education when students are ready for and succeed in college.   "It's more
efficient and economical - both for families and the state - when students
are ready for college.  They are more likely to stay in school and
graduate."

The $438,938 in performance funding was made available to the UL System this
fiscal year by the Legislature and Board of Regents.     

The ULS Board approved criteria for distributing the funds, and the
universities submitted performance data in seven areas:
*    Academic 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 and compliance audits    
Following is the list of ULS schools and the amounts they received:
Grambling State University, $41,112; Louisiana Tech University, $69,536;
McNeese State University, $50,538; Nicholls State University, $46,794;
Northwestern State University, $51,622; Southeastern Louisiana University,
$60,701; the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, $71,701; and the
University of Louisiana at Monroe, $46,944.