Despite a decline in full-time undergraduate enrollment, the University of Louisiana (UL) has increased its hiring. Since 2015, the university has lost 1,700 undergraduate students, resulting in a $20 million loss in revenue.
Each undergraduate student generates approximately $12,000 per year for the university. Meanwhile, UL has added a net of 467 positions during this period.
“They are the students who really pay the bills,”
said interim UL President Jaimie Hebert at a town hall meeting on September 25, addressing the budget shortfall for the first time. Although online and graduate student numbers have increased, it has not been enough to offset the loss.
Author's summary: UL's enrollment decline contrasts with its hiring increase.