Low Cost, High Quality Higher Education
Louisianans clearly do not want major cuts to colleges and universities, they consistently give state colleges and universities the highest grades of state government service, and they recognize the value of access to college education and the role of universities in economic development. Despite the strong support for colleges and universities, a majority of Louisianans strongly agree (6.3 percent) or agree (46.4 percent) that state colleges and universities can absorb a significant cut without affecting the quality of academic programs. And, they are not supportive of allowing state colleges and universities to consolidate programs by closing branch campuses or raising tuition and fees to offset spending cuts. However, when asked specifically about cutting higher education during periods of economic downturn, respondents generally wanted to increase funding (36 percent) or keep funding at present levels (40 percent). Finally, Louisianans are generally supportive of changing the funding formula for higher education to reward performance rather than enrollments. Sixty-five percent of respondents supported changing the funding formula, while 29 percent were opposed and 6.5 percent said they did not know.