Bills Proposed In Spring 2026 Regular State Legislative Session That May Affect...

 The Louisiana Conference of the AAUP is monitoring the activities of the Louisiana Legislature and will provide updates on bills under consideration during the upcoming session. House Bills HB1 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=249908  APPROPRIATIONS: Provides for the ordinary operating expenses of state government for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. HB99 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB99  WEAPONS/HANDGUNS:  Provides relative to the carrying of firearms on college campuses HB104 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=249736 HIGHER EDUCATION:  Authorizes each public postsecondary education management board to develop and implement a voluntary phased retirement program for faculty and staff HB195 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=249839  COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES: Prohibits, with exceptions, a public postsecondary education institution from prohibiting a student from possessing self-defense chemical spray on campus. HB229 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB229  CURRICULA/COLLEGE DEGREE:  Prohibits the use of public funds for certain postsecondary degree programs  HB391 — https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=250160 HIGHER ED/BD REGENTS: (Constitutional Amendment) Abolishes the Board of Regents HB649 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=250511 HIGHER EDUCATION:  Requires the establishment and administration of a statewide application process for dual enrollment programs     Senate Bills SB304 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=250738 COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES:  Provides for accreditation for public colleges and universities. (gov sig)  [SB399 — https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=250958 COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES:  Creates the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council. (2/3-CA7s2.1(A)) (1/1/27)   President: Vipin Menon, vip_menon@yahoo.com Vice-President: Steven Rushing, stevenrushing321@gmail.com Secretary: Kristie Perry Treasurer: Kevin Cope At-Large: Philip Auter, philauter@hotmail.com Past President: Thomas Miller, carville75@gmail.com  

2024-2026 Officers

The Louisiana Conference held elections on March 23, 2024, and the officers for 2024-2026 are as follows: President: Vipin Menon, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, vip_menon@yahoo.com Vice President: Steven Rushing, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, stevenrushing321@gmail.com Secretary: Kristie Perry, Southern University, Baton Rouge, kristie_perry@subr.edu  Treasurer: Kevin Cope, LSU-Baton Rouge, encope@lsu.edu At-Large (elected member of the Executive Committee): Philip Auter, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, philip.auter@louisiana.edu Past President: Thomas Miller, Southern University, Baton Rouge, thomas.miller@sus.edu  

The Annual Symposium of the Louisiana Conference of the AAUP will take place April 11 and 12, 2025. Here is a summary of the events: 4-11-2025 (Friday): An informal meet-and-greet will be held from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Tsunami Rooftop Bar in Baton Rouge. All members are welcome to attend. Address:  100 Lafayette St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801   Phone: (225) 346-5100 4-12-2025 (Saturday):  Louisiana Conference of the AAUP:  10 am – 3 pm at the P.B.S. Pinchback Engineering Building on the campus of Southern University Address: 186 Robert Smith Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70807   Please note: Complimentary coffee, snacks, and breakfast will be provided to all attendees.      SATURDAY EVENTS  1) 10 am—12 noon: Speaker: Dr. Brian Evans, President of the Texas Conference of the AAUP, will be the keynote speaker. Topics include Organizing, AFT, Academic Freedom, Shared Governance, and other matters about higher education.   2) 12 noon – 1 pm: LUNCH.  Please RSVP by 04-9-2025 (Wednesday), to vip_menon@yahoo.com, if you would like lunch at the venue.  The conference will provide lunch at the subsidized rate of $10 a person. Sandwiches from Jason’s Deli will include tuna, beef, turkey, and vegetarian options..   3) 1 pm –…

2024-2026 Officers

The Louisiana Conference held elections on March 23, 2024, and the officers for 2024-2026 are as follows: President: Vipin Menon, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, vip_menon@yahoo.com Vice President: Steven Rushing, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, stevenrushing321@gmail.com Secretary: Leslie Bary, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, leslie.bary@gmail.com Treasurer: Kevin Cope, LSU-Baton Rouge, encope@lsu.edu At-Large (elected member of the Executive Committee): Philip Auter, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, philip.auter@louisiana.edu Past President: Thomas Miller, Southern University, Baton Rouge, thomas.miller@sus.edu