TITLE 17. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 26.COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

PART III. UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS

 

17:3230    The University of New Orleans;  transfer to the University of Louisiana System

 

A. (1) Not later than August 1, 2011, the chancellor of the University of New Orleans shall submit a letter to the president of the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, stating his intent for a change in governance for the institution from the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

 

(2) The chancellor, faculty, and administration of the University of New Orleans shall take every action necessary to efficiently and expeditiously comply with all established timelines, requirements, and procedures to ensure that the requested change of governance may be effected immediately upon receipt of commission approval.

 

B. (1) Pursuant to the authority granted to the legislature by Article VIII, Section 5(D)(3) of the Constitution of Louisiana to transfer an institution from one board to another by law enacted by two-thirds of the elected members of each house, the University of New Orleans, and the assets, funds, obligations, liabilities, programs, and functions related thereto, are hereby transferred to the University of Louisiana System, and shall be under the management and supervision of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

 

(2) The provisions of this Subsection shall become effective immediately upon receipt of approval from the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, for the requested change in governance.

 

C. The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System shall develop policies and procedures to resolve issues related to the status and tenure of employees of the University of New Orleans which may arise from the transfer of the institution to the University of Louisiana System.

 

D. The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall:

 

(1) Continue to exercise its authority to supervise and manage the University of New Orleans until such time as the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, grants approval for the requested change in governance and transfer of the University of New Orleans to the University of Louisiana System.

 

(2)(a) Work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System to ensure that the requested transfer may be effected immediately upon receipt of commission approval for the change in governance.

 

(b) Prior to receipt of such approval, enter into agreements to transfer as many administrative and supervisory functions as possible with respect to the University of New Orleans to the University of Louisiana System, without adversely impacting the accreditation status of the institution.

 

(3) Upon receipt of such approval, immediately transfer all assets, funds, facilities, property, obligations, liabilities, programs, and functions relative to the University of New Orleans to the University of Louisiana System.

 

E. The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall not:

 

(1) Interfere with, or impede in any way, the processes to transfer the University of New Orleans to the University of Louisiana System.

 

(2) Sell, transfer, or otherwise remove any asset or thing of value, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, attributable to or owned by the University of New Orleans, or owned, leased by, or operated by any foundation related to such institution.  In addition, access to any asset leased to any foundation related to the University of New Orleans shall not be restricted or denied.

 

(3) Incur, transfer or assign any debt or other responsibility or obligation to the University of New Orleans that is not properly attributable to the institution.

 

(4)(a) Disproportionately reduce or reallocate the level of funding that would otherwise be allocated to the University of New Orleans pursuant to the postsecondary education funding formula.

 

(b) Until such time as the University of New Orleans is transferred to the University of Louisiana System, impose any budget reductions or changes in funding allocations upon the institution without prior review and approval from the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

 

(5) Take any personnel action with regard to any instructional or administrative employee of the University of New Orleans without the prior approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

 

F. The commissioner of administration shall ensure that sufficient funds and resources are available to fully effect the transfer of the University of New Orleans to the University of Louisiana System.  Such funding and resources shall not impact the Board of Regents' formula for the equitable distribution of funds to institutions of postsecondary education.

 

G. (1) The University of New Orleans, pursuant to their agreement with the University of New Orleans Foundation, shall reimburse the state for the purchase of available insurance for indemnification and costs which may arise from the transfer;  provided however, that the state of Louisiana shall indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System for any liability and costs which may result from the transfer of existing contracts, financing, or immovable property.

 

(2) Effective beginning with the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year, any and all funds previously paid by the University of New Orleans to the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College shall be paid instead to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System;  however, the total amount of such payments shall not be less than that paid during the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year.

 

H. The legislature shall appropriate sufficient funds to the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College and the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System to fully effect the transfer of the University of New Orleans to the University of Louisiana System.

 

Added by Acts 2011, No. 419, ยง 1, eff. July 12, 2011.