Higher ed is tackling new budget challenges - Sarah Eddington, News-Star

Although continuing budget reductions will make 2012 another difficult year for higher education, campus leaders across northeastern Louisiana say they are up for the challenge. Another round of midyear budget cuts was implemented recently as part of higher education's $50 million share of the state's $251 million deficit — a move that resulted in the University of Louisiana System cutting $17.2 million, or 5.1 percent of its budget, and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System trimming $7.3 million, or 2.48 percent of its budget. While the new year is starting off with some unwanted belt tightening on an already cinched waist, area universities and colleges remain determined to meet their 2012 goals.