The University of New Orleans rejoins the LSU System today and the school will be known as LSU New Orleans. University officials believe the LSU brand can help the return the school to being a research and workforce engine. It starts with boosting enrollment and interim chancellor Jeanette Weiland says tuition rates that are affordable will help attract more students.
“When we look at our tuition rates, compared to the entire state and the public institutions at least; we don’t even want to go there with the privates, they’re so expensive. And then, even nationally, we’re competitive on that lane,” Weiland noted.
Before Hurricane Katrina, the school had an enrollment of 17,000. It’s now down to 5,000 and they are pushing for an enrollment of 6,000 this fall. Weiland says their recruiting efforts are not just in Louisiana, they are looking to attract out of state students and they believe the campus has a lot to offer.
“Again, back to the price point: We’re competitive. We are in an urban city that, for lack of better words, is just cool. We’ve got culture, we’ve got professional sports teams. We have everything here,” Weiland said.
And Weiland says the quality of the education is legit.
“Our professors are phenomenal instructors. Our professors are earning highly competitive research grants, and our undergrads get to experience the research part of learning as well,” Weiland explained.
Weiland says they are also making internships in local industry a high priority, because they want LSU New Orleans graduates to remain in the metro area after graduation to help boost the region’s population.
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