Communications & University Relations

Legislative & External Affairs

Higher Education Laws

This is a guide to laws that affect LSU.

Higher education in Louisiana adheres to federal and state laws. Louisiana's legal structure is based on a constitution (just like the federal government) and set of laws called Revised Statutes (R.S.). The constitution is organized by Articles, and education falls within Article VIII. The statutes are divided into major categories called Titles. Statutes related to education fall predominantly in Title 17. However, public universities must also adhere to other parts of the constitution and statutes, such as procurement, facilities, and Civil Service.

The governor also publishes executive orders which provide administrative guidance which are categorized the numerical order in which they were authorized by each administration. The attorney general also issues interpretations of law, the most notable being the finding that tuition and fees are equated to taxes and require a two-thirds vote of each house of the Legislature.

Louisiana laws can be searched on the legislative web site.

Advertising, R.S. 43:111

LSU Board of Supervisors

• Appropriations, Article VIII, Section 12
• Board Definition and Membership, Article VIII, Section 7
• Powers, Duties, & Responsibilities, R.S. 17:3351

Louisiana Board of Regents (coordinating board)

• Duties & Responsibilities, Article VIII, Section 5
• Regents Master Plan, and Role, Scope & Mission, R.S. 17:3128

Budget, State

• Budget Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund)

• Revenue Estimating Conference, Article VII, Section 10

• Revenues, Surpluses & Spending Caps, Article VII, Section 10

Capital Outlay (Facilities)

• Constitutional Process, Article VII, Section 11(B)
• Authorization, R.S. 39:112

Degrees, R.S. 17:3352

Endowed Chairs (matching program), Article VII, Section 10.1

Higher Education Louisiana Partnership Fund, Article VII, Section 10.4

LSU's Flagship Status R.S. 17:3215 (Act 45 of 1995)

Foundations (university affiliated), R.S. 17:3390

Legislative sessions, Article III, Section 2

Quality Trust Fund (from 8g funds), Article, VII, Section 10.1

Research Parks, R.S. 17:3389

Student Aid, R.S. 17:3129.7

TOPS, R.S. 17:3048.1

Tuition & Fees

• Academic Excellence Fee (2000)

• Academic Excellence Fee (2003)

• Operational Fee (2004)

• Operational Fee, Professional Schools (2004)

• Technology Fee, R.S. 3351.1