It's a debate sweeping across Louisiana, should Southern University and the University of New Orleans merge.
"I've asked regents to see if it makes since, for those two school to combine into one university and be under the university louisiana school system," said Gov. Bobby Jindal. "Partner with Delgado Community College to better serve our students."
With an eight percent graduation rate, Gov. Jindal adds those statistics are unexceptable. All he's asking is for officials to look at a study bringing the two schools together.
"Bottom line this is not about politics, it shouldn't be about management boar or turf it needs to be about doing what's best for our students," he added.
A lawsuit filed this week, states the possible merger is unconstitutional and isn't fair to blacks and female citizens in louisiana.
"Some folks tried to go to court and stop them from doing that study," he adds. "Thank goodness the courts said they can proceed with that and there will be another court hearing next week."
"Look at the end of the day, Louisiana can't support 14 nursing schools, we can't support 14 agg school and we can't support 14 technical schools," explained Representative Jane Smith.
Smith said with funding cut backs, the state needs to explore all options that would be in the best interest of students.
"Maybe looking at solutions to help k-12, but as we look at ways to save our universities in certain areas, it may mean they need to do some creative thinking with other universities," Smith concluded.
