re: Here is an easy $62.5 million to address the states shortfall.

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Take a moment and think critically about the implications of what you're proposing. Do you really think it would be that easy?

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I have thought about it for years. We have too many full 4 year universities serving a small number of state residents. The average enrollment is about 10,000, but that is skewed by LSU, ULL and Southeastern. Several of these universities have less than 5000 students. We have two separate boards governing those universities. Each university has to have their own administration, physical plant, etc. This duplication of costs is unnecessary, especially in a state our size.

There is no reason why we need full 4 year universities for each geographic area of the state. People may have to travel to go to school.

I doubt the economic impact is as large as you are stating. Many of the areas with these universities have not grown tremendously due to hosting universities. The Monroe/Ruston area has three universities. The combined population of those two towns is under 75,000. Staggering growth has not occurred. Moreover, none of the smaller schools are world class research universities bringing in millions of dollars via their research.

Yes, people would lose jobs. People are losing jobs all over the state right now. When the budget deficit is as large as advertised hard decisions must be made. Very little reason exists for paying for such a bloated system. We would have a stronger university system if we consolidated and focused what money we do have on building a few very strong, populous universities rather than diluting the state's limited funds to maintain facilities in so many different areas.

As for the brain drain, it has been advertised for years. It has either already happening or is overrated. Closing down universities with small enrollments and no real research facilities will not contribute to brain drain.