2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 17 — Education
RS 17:3138 — Postsecondary education review commission; creation; power and duties; report

§3138. Postsecondary Education Review Commission; creation; power and duties; report

A. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that postsecondary education is one of the most critical components of economic development in the state because it provides the human resources necessary for research, planning, innovation, and implementation of all economic development endeavors; however, the current economic climate of the nation and the world is imposing great stresses on postsecondary education in Louisiana, since available resources are being reduced while constitutional limitations make the postsecondary education sector one of the most vulnerable to state budget cutbacks. It is, therefore, of crucial importance to find ways to maximize the use of available resources in order to obtain optimal performance from the state's postsecondary education institutions. This can be achieved most effectively by undertaking a complete review and analysis of postsecondary education in the state to determine strengths and weaknesses and areas for constructive change.

B. Creation; purpose. The Board of Regents shall create and establish a commission, to be designated as the Postsecondary Education Review Commission, to review postsecondary education in Louisiana. The purpose of the commission shall be to review all aspects of postsecondary education in order to ensure that the enterprise is operating efficiently, effectively, and in a manner that best serves students, their families, and the state and to make recommendations for changes necessary to ensure that the system is operating in that manner.

C. Composition. (1) The commission shall be comprised of nine members as follows:

(a) The president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or his designee.

(b) Two members appointed by the Board of Regents from nationally recognized postsecondary education organizations or groups.

(c) Two members appointed by the governor.

(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.

(e) The president of the Senate or his designee.

(f) The chairman of the Board of Regents or his designee.

(g) The president of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education or his designee.

(2) Each appointed member of the commission, including designees, shall have attained at a minimum a postsecondary credential and shall have expertise in postsecondary education. Appointing authorities shall ensure that the commission is balanced as to types of educational experience and expertise and that the membership is diverse.

(3) Appointed members and designees shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

(4) Any vacancy in the appointed membership shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.

(5) Commission members shall be entitled to receive a per diem for attendance at meetings of the commission and reimbursement for actual travel expenses to attend commission meetings.

D. Scope of review. The review of postsecondary education undertaken by the commission shall be comprehensive and may include governance, facilities, all programs, funding, and any other issues that impact postsecondary institutions. The commission shall also identify any rules or regulations that are barriers to achieving administrative efficiencies.

E. Organization. The commission shall hold its first meeting by August 15, 2009, on the call of the chairman of the Board of Regents, and shall meet at least once each month thereafter. The commission shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman and such other officers as it deems necessary.

F. Administrative support; assistance; funding. (1) The commission shall be housed at the offices of the Board of Regents, and the board shall provide administrative support for the commission.

(2) The commission shall retain nationally recognized experts in postsecondary education recommended by the Board of Regents to advise, research, and provide any assistance the commission deems appropriate.

(3) The commission may call upon any postsecondary institution, board, or system of the state for data and assistance, and all such institutions, boards, and systems shall cooperate with the commission.

(4) The commission may create or appoint advisory committees or task forces to act in an advisory capacity or to assist in its studies, composed of such representatives of the public or private sectors as it deems appropriate.

(5) Funds necessary to staff the commission, retain appropriate outside experts and consultants, reimburse or pay for travel of experts and consultants, reimburse or pay for per diem and travel for commission members as otherwise authorized in this Section, and pay any other expenses associated with the operations of the commission shall be appropriated to the Board of Regents.

(6) The commission may accept grants, donations, gifts, monies, aid, facilities, and services from public or private sources for the purpose of completing its work and preparing and submitting its report as required by this Section and any such grants, monies, facilities, services, and donations, as well as the names of the donors thereof, shall be recorded in the record of the proceedings of the commission and such records shall be open to inspection by any person.

G. Report; termination of commission. The commission shall complete its work and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Board of Regents at least forty-five days prior to the convening of the 2010 Regular Session of the Legislature. The Board of Regents shall review the report and submit the report and its comments to the legislature at least thirty days prior to the convening of the 2010 Regular Session of the Legislature. The commission shall terminate and all authority for its existence shall end on August 1, 2010.

Acts 2009, No. 309, §1, eff. July 1, 2009.