LSU facing 'dramatic' budget cuts while it builds lazy river - Quincy Hodges, The Times-Picayune

Does it make sense that LSU, currently facing the prospect of a $55.5 million state funding cut, is embarking on an $84.75 million overhaul -- featuring a lazy river in the shape of L-S-U, of its student recreation center? It's a question Huffington Post set out to answer. Student recreation fees, which were approved in 2011, are funding the rec center renovations. Given the ongoing construction it appears "awkward" as the state legislature attempts to address $600 million in cuts to higher education funding to help fill a $1.6 billion budget shortfall, the article says. "The funds for the project come directly from the student fee and can only be used for the project," LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard told The Huffington Post. "Similar to donations to the university or funds from the state for capital projects, these types of funds can't be shifted to fill in budget holes or be used in another way. They can only be used for what they were originally designated for." LSU began putting together the necessary paperwork in April to file financial exigency http://www.nola.com/news/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/05/lsu_facing_dramatic_budget_cut.html