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Judge rules against LSU student journalist seeking Greek Life investigation records
A Louisiana district judge has ruled against the editor of LSU’s student-run newspaper in its attempt to unearth investigative records about a former Greek Life administrator accused of catfishing students. The university investigated the administrator, Donald Abels, on allegations that he created multiple Snapchat accounts with false personas to entrap fraternity recruits in violations of […]
Louisiana faculty sound the alarm on retirement crisis
Louisiana’s higher education faculty feel trapped. In the early days of their teaching careers, professors are asked to make an irrevocable choice about their retirement: choose the more portable optional retirement plan, or the more lucrative Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. Faculty do not pay into Social Security and therefore do not have the option […]
Louisiana Higher Ed: Federal funds for Northwestern, Grambling; Pennington earns health award
The Louisiana Illuminator takes a weekly look at news from universities and colleges around the state. Have a tip or want to submit a Louisiana Higher Ed news item? Contact [email protected] Northwestern State University received $2.1 million in federal funds to facilitate the development of the NSU Entrepreneurial Innovation Center, which will serve as an […]
Louisiana proposal would give local governments more say-so on library boards
A bill the Louisiana Legislature will consider would limit the power of local library boards by giving parish officials the freedom to remove members at will. Critics have concerns about how that will impact minority voices within the community. House Bill 25, sponsored by Reps. Paul Hollis, R-Covington, and Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, would give parish […]
Report: Louisiana third least educated state in nation
Louisiana is the third least educated state, followed only by Mississippi and West Virginia, according to a WalletHub analysis. The WalletHub report compared the 50 states on educational attainment and quality of education. The report found Louisiana ranked 47th in percentage of residents with high-school diplomas, 49th in percentage of residents with associate degrees or […]
Livingston Parish council member hired private investigator to check for porn in libraries
A Livingston Parish Council member has admitted he hired a private investigator to attempt to access online pornography in the parish library system. The news comes as conservative forces within the parish have pushed to censor certain titles and restrict access to content they have deemed unsuitable for younger readers. Councilman Garry Talbert revealed at […]
Critics say bill to restrict library materials is a solution in search of a problem
A bill the Louisiana Legislature will consider seeks to restrict minors’ access to certain library materials. Critics are concerned the proposal will violate the First Amendment and weaponize the state board that approves funding for library construction projects. Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, would require libraries to set up a […]
Louisiana Higher Ed: Community college system president asks Congress to expand Pell Grant
The Louisiana Illuminator takes a weekly look at news from universities and colleges around the state. Have a tip or want to submit a Louisiana Higher Ed news item? Contact [email protected] Monty Sullivan, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, testified to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce […]
LSU Board approves health partnership with Our Lady of the Lake
The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a partnership Friday between the university and Our Lady of the Lake. The agreement will see the Catholic health ministry take over most aspects of student health care. Kimberly Lewis, LSU’s chief administrative officer, told the board that LSU would continue to directly provide some services in the student […]
Louisiana teens eligible for Brooklyn Public Library card
The Brooklyn Public Library is offering free digital access cards to teens and young adults nationwide to fight back against a nationwide campaign to remove books from public libraries. Louisianians age 13 to 21 can request a card, which will give them a year of digital access to the library’s collection. The project is part of […]
Attorney general, legislators call for restricting minors’ access to library materials
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has called for legislation to restrict what children and teens can check out from public libraries. He released a report Tuesday on what he considers sexually explicit materials available to minors at libraries. Landry is also a candidate for governor who has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Louisiana. […]
Here’s what Brian Kelly’s $1 million overpayment could’ve paid for at LSU
The news that LSU football head coach Brian Kelly was overpaid a whopping $1 million in 2022 ruffled some feathers on campus, where faculty are consistently underpaid compared to the regional average. While $1 million may not sound like a lot in the context of LSU’s athletic riches, it’s a lot of money in the […]