Aldermen OK resolution opposing closing LSUE

Eunice aldermen passed a resolution to be sent to legislators and the governor to oppose closing Louisiana State University Eunice.
The action at Tuesday’s meeting came at the request of Jack Burson, alderman at-large.
“What has led me to propose tahat is I was reading my newspaper with coffee last week and found out the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee was saying the way to bring the budget in line would be to close LSUE and LSU Shreveport,” he said.
But Rep. Phillip DeVillier said there has been no discussions on the appropriations committee about closing LSUE and that the school is in great shape.
DeVillier, who was in attendance, was not consulted before the vote.
“There is absolutely no discussion of closing down LSUE,” DeVillier said. “I think it is ridiculous for people to say that whenever there is no truth behind it.”
DeVillier said he put Cameron Henry, chairman of the appropriations committee, on the phone with Burson after the meeting.
In December, LSU President F. King Alexander said the closure of LSU Shreveport and LSUE would save $9 million, “but would displace 10,000 students with no place to go.”
Alexander made his comments during budget hearings conducted by the House Appropriations Committee.
The overall general fund budget impact of LSUE is $4.6 million, DeVillier said.
A state budget deficit of $300 million has been projected.
“You’ve got to close it 66 times to gain that kind money. It makes absolutely no sense,” DeVillier said of closing LSUE.
“I was on campus yesterday before the meeting. Everything going on there is just so positive and we need to keep it that way,” he said.
LSUE Chancellor Kimberly Russell made the same point about the budget at Wednesday’s Eunice Rotary Club meeting.
LSUE graduates about 300 students each year, provides a resource for a rural area by generating revenue from its employees and students.
“...Would it make any kind of economic sense to give up that physical plant for $4.6 million a year?” she said.
Russell also said when she was hired, “There was never ever a question as to whether or not LSUE was going to remain part of the LSU system or even, for that matter, remain open.”
Burson said he wanted the resolution to show that city government is opposed to any plan to close LSUE.
Closing LSUE would be a “devastating blow” to the community and to area students.
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said students come from 47 parishes to LSUE.
Fontenot asked that area governments be asked to join the resolution.
The LSUE resolution was added to the agenda at the end of the meeting at Eunice City Hall.
Other business included:
— Hearing from DeVillier and St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Charles Jagneaux about establishing early voting at the Eunice City Hall.
— DeVillier said construction is to begin next week on the La. 91 (Maple Avenue) bridge. The construction will result in the closure of the road until August.
— Burson said an ideal time to overlay West Maple Avenue would be after the bridge work.
— Robert Johnson was named recreation director.
— Property at 121 S. 11th St. was approved for rezoning from residential to commercial. A used furniture store is planned, according to board proceedings.