Louisiana Board Puts 450 Academic Programs on Chopping Block

Louisiana's Board of Regents has identified more than 450 academic programs at the state's public universities that will have to defend themselves against potential elimination because of low enrollments, The Advocate of Baton Rouge reported. The regents said the larger number of programs targeted -- the board has cut a total of 245 programs the last two years -- was necessary if Louisiana's public universities are to remain efficient and focused as the state faces continuing budget cuts. Programs will have until February to argue that they should be consolidated or continued instead of cut, the Advocate reported; a final report is due in April.