“The news about Southeastern is like the movie; there’s the good, the bad and the ugly,” said interim Southeastern Louisiana University President John Crain as he addressed the Covington Rotary at a recent meeting.

The good news for the university is continuing steady rising enrollments, new campus facilities, new degree programs, including master’s degrees and a doctoral program in educational leadership.

Crain said they are planning on continued growth. But the bad news is with the current economic outlook, there is a hiring and spending freeze at the university. And the ugly is that with the current economic woes of the state, cutbacks may be necessary. In addition, the dwindling population numbers of high school students in the state may necessitate even more cuts.

Shown at a recent Covington Rotary meeting are state Rep. John Schroder-R, Covington; SLU interim president John Crain; and Covington Rotarian Karl Mulling. (Staff photo by Debbie Glover)

“It is incredibly important for the university to be successful,” Crain said.

He explained that unlike many universities, SLU is truly a regional university, providing an annual economic impact of $550 million annually within a 25-mile radius, including parts of St. Tammany.

It is the third-largest four-year institution in the state with an enrollment in the fall of 2008 of over 15,220 and a freshman class of 3,200. Crain said with the advent of admissions standards, the university is now attracting well-qualified students with the average ACT composite score of entering freshmen at 21.4 and about 20 percent having a score over 24.

Crain said part of the reason SLU has seen steady growth is its location in the fastest growing area of the state, its improved reputation for strong academics and an increase in the number of quality workforce-related degree programs.

New degree programs since 2000 for undergraduates include supply chain management; engineering technology; health studies radiologic technology; occupational safety, health and environment; sport management; athletic training; health education and promotion.

Southeastern also provides resources for the Northshore region, including the Southeast Louisiana Business Center, the Small Business Development Center and the I-12 Alliance, all used to aid and promote the economic attractions of the area.

Offerings such as the Northshore School for the Arts, the Community Music School, Fanfare, and Columbia Theater provide cultural opportunities for the entire Northshore. The Center for SE Louisiana Studies provides archival and preservation of the history of the area. The original map of the city of Covington is being preserved and will be stored there.

The challenge, according to Crain, is to make whatever changes are necessary to balance the state’s budget without affecting the integrity of programs and to protect the core mission of the university to lead the educational, economic and cultural development of Southeast Louisiana by focusing on quality.