Author: Emily Gautreaux

UL System Drops Returning Adult Tuition

On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Jim Henderson, UL System President, announced that the University of Louisiana System will lower its tuition immediately to a flat-rate price of $275 a credit hour for returning adults.  This tuition drop, which is nearly a 45% decrease in original price, will apply across the system’s nine schools.

The decision to reduce adult tuition was reached as part of an initiative to encourage adults who haven’t yet completed their degree(s) to return to school.  It is part of the system’s “Compete Louisiana” program, which was started in 2019 in the hopes of boosting the percentage of Louisianans with a college degree to 60% by 2030.

Results of a study conducted by the University of Louisiana system showed that approximately 653,000 adults in Louisiana had achieved some college credits, but not earned a degree.  Henderson relayed that tuition price was the main reason that these former students were unable to complete their degrees.  With this reduced cost incentive, students are anticipated to feel encouraged to return.

Henderson said that, with the burden of paying for college shifting from state appropriations to students through tuition and fees, “we have substantially priced so many would-be college graduates out of the market. Because of price, they’re unable to get that credential that will open so many doors. It’s about taking a consumer-driven mindset and not to make a college education a commodity or a product because it’s really so much more than that… focusing on the needs of the student rather than the institution.”

Henderson went on to explain that the Compete Louisiana initiative makes business sense.  While a majority of the system’s courses generally ranged from $400 to $500 per credit hour, the lowered price of tuition will not result in “a loss of revenue in any way”.  This is because the number of expected students returning will produce a sufficient total revenue that will offset the discounts.  In essence, the program will pay for itself and the universities will earn at least a portion of the remaining tuition they did not receive when the former students dropped out.

“They cannot come to us on a traditional model,” Henderson said. “They can’t come to us in a traditional time, our traditional place or at our traditional price. But if we can come up with a way to leverage our collective capacity, served at a lower cost than ever before, and certainly offer them a price that’s much more accessible, much more affordable, then that’s going to grow everybody from a financial perspective and from a mission perspective.”

Former students qualifying for the returning adult tuition program will have immediate access to the lowered tuition rate, including the UL System’s upcoming summer coursework.  While the campuses of their system remain shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic, schools are preparing plans for a return in the fall semester.

In order to qualify for the Compete Louisiana initiative and receive the lower tuition rate, students must meet three qualifications:

  • Must be a Louisiana resident
  • Must have earned some college credit but no degree
  • Must be out of school for at least two years.

Tuition prices for regular students remain unchanged. Former students can access the program through CompeteLA.org.  Schools in the UL System include: Louisiana Tech University, Grambling State University, Nicholls State University, McNeese State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, University of New Orleans, and University of Louisiana at Monroe.

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Recipes from Around the World At Home

Tired of the same-old weekly menu or scouring Pinterest to switch things up?  Not to worry because HuffPost has put together 8 of the easiest recipes to break out of the rut your evening menu may be in.  Take a trip around the world with these fresh and EASY new recipes and broaden your culinary horizons while treating your taste buds to a whole new world of flavors.

  1. Crispy Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks with Mango Chutney

This crispy tandoori chicken is really easy to make – the magic is in the overnight marinating.  The marinade consists of yogurt, citrus and spices.  That’s it!  Then either grill or broil the chicken and serve with the fruity, tangy mango chutney, which is also super simple to make. You can even use leftover chutney thinned with water to glaze chicken or duck for other tasty dishes.

  1. Easy Thai Curry Shrimp

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this delicious meal that is less than 30 minutes away with just a few staples from your pantry. Plump shrimp, simmered in a rich and fragrant herb-infused coconut sauce, are sure to have your family impressed. Make sure to serve this exotic new menu offering with jasmine rice and get ready to add this one to your rotation.

  1. Asian BBQ Chicken

Imagine a mix of Chicken Teriyaki and the flavors of India combined.  It sounds a little out there, but is actually kid-friendly and simple to perfect. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, marinated in soy sauce, brown sugar, fresh lime juice, oil, garlic, ginger, and spices, is what makes this recipe pop.  You can find the key ingredient, Garam Masala, an aromatic South Asian spice blend at most large supermarkets.

  1. Grilled Moroccan Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce

This recipe combines ground beef (or turkey for a healthier alternative) rolled with warm spices, fresh herbs, and garlic, then grilled until charred.  We know, we know – meatballs aren’t usually for the pit, but with the right consistency, they grill great!  The delicious yogurt sauce also balances the weight of the meatballs.  Serve this one over couscous!

  1. Vietnamese Shredded Chicken Salad

Take a stroll on the lighter side with this easy dinner salad that tastes like it’s straight out of a Vietnamese market.  Shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped veggies and a simple whisked dressing is all that stands between you and a sensational Southeast Asian dining experience.

  1. Chicken Curry

For a quick crowd pleaser, this 30-minute curry dish is the ticket.  Simply thinly slice chicken, sautée with curry powder, then simmer in an aromatic and semi-sweet curry sauce, and finish with green peas and cilantro. The potential for switching this one up is limitless with different proteins and curries. Be sure to serve with basmati rice no matter how creative you get.

  1. Thai Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups

You’ve been warned!  These are going to be a hit. With the bold flavors of ginger, lime and chili pepper, combined with a prep time of 30 minutes, these lettuce cups are a quick way to take your taste buds on a trip to the other side of the globe. Try not to eat them all while you cook this recipe from around the world.

  1. Stir-Fried Szechuan Green Beans with Shiitake Mushrooms

Proteins always get the spotlight – let’s give the veggies a shot with this quick and delicious, authentic Szechuan green bean dish. Whether as a different side dish or a vegetarian main course, these greens are tasty! We’re gonna have these with some jasmine rice or stir-fry noodles. Yum!

For more delicious recipes from around the world, click here.

 

Entertainers Unite To Feed Louisiana

An eclectic collection of Louisiana entertainers and personalities have joined to support Feed Louisiana Love, a social media campaign to increase awareness and funding for Feeding Louisiana, a statewide network of food banks.

Most well-known among these caring celebrities wanting to help feed Louisiana  are musicians Hunter Hayes, Amanda Shaw and rock band The Revivalists, as well as Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves.

Funds raised through this campaign to feed Louisiana will assist in covering the direct costs of feeding the needy, including purchasing food, storage and refrigeration, as well as with repackaging and distribution.

“The need for support is urgent,” said Korey Patty, executive director of Feeding Louisiana. “In April, Louisiana food banks reported an 80% increase in demand for their services. About 40% of the families were requesting help for the first time.”

Feeding Louisiana, which is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, is a partnership of five regional members: the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, Food Bank of Central Louisiana in Alexandria, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe and Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana in Shreveport.

According to Feeding Louisiana:

  • 1 in 6 households struggle to put food on the table.
  • 1 in 20 households report skipping meals because they lack money for food.
  • 23% of seniors face hunger, ranking Louisiana as the 2nd worst state for senior hunger.
  • 1 in 4 children live in food-insecure households, one-third in several rural parishes.

Celebrities participating in the initiative are working to spread awareness of the campaign to feed Louisiana through videos and messages on their social media channels, using the hashtags: #FeedLouisianaLove and #FeedLouisiana. With the exposure from such celebrities, the hope is their messages will encourage donations and challenge others for support as well.

Donations for the Feed Louisiana Love campaign can be made at feedlouisianalove.com. Donors are able to select a specific food bank they want to help or have their donation spread equally among all five banks.

Mr. Patty further said, “We’re getting food to our affiliates, but distribution is a challenge.  Monetary donations are critical to helping us coordinate within our network so that food can go to the places where it’s needed most.”

Some celebrities involved in the campaign are listed below.

Amanda Shaw – New Orleans/Mandeville (country/pop music artist)

Cassie Kelley – Lafayette (country music personality)

Dan Smalley – Shreveport (country music artist)

DJ Slab 1 – New Orleans (hip-hop radio personality/DJ)

Dudley Dubossier – New Orleans (lawyer)

Dylan Scott – Bastrop (country music artist)

Dylan Walsh – New Orleans (actor)

Garrett Jacobs – Bossier City (American Idol season 16 contestant – 2018)

Hunter Hayes – Breaux Bridge (country music artist)

Jordan Davis – Shreveport (country music artist)

Normani – New Orleans (pop/hip-hop artist)

Sam Burns – Shreveport (PGA Tour golfer)

Terrance Simien – Lafayette (Zydeco musician)

The Revivalists – New Orleans (rock group)

Todd Graves – Baton Rouge (co-founder of Raising Cane’s)

Wild Wayne – New Orleans (hip-hop radio personality/DJ)

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

 

At-Home SAT to be Offered by College Board

According to an article from the U.S. News and World Report, students will be able to take their SAT test at home if school does not resume this coming fall.  This decision comes at a pivotal time for the administrators of these standardized tests, as they are currently attempting to remain “essential” as various educational institutions are turning away from the testing requirement previously needed for admission.

College Board officials announced in early April that they would be outlining a revamped timetable as well as a digital option for the college entrance exam.

College Board CEO David Coleman said in a recent press briefing, “We know students and educators are worried about how the coronavirus may disrupt the college admissions process, and we want to do all we can to help alleviate that anxiety during this very demanding time.  In the unfortunate and unlikely possibility that schools do not open this fall, the College Board will be ready to provide a digital SAT at home.”

Coleman went on to describe the scenario as “increasingly unlikely” and one that would mandate at-home proctoring the likes of which has never before been seen.  “We would much rather see schools reopen,” he said. “But we will be ready.”

Officials with College Board have relayed that they have been experimenting with various types of software for security which could, for example, restrict access to the entire computer with the exception of than the software that administers the test, as well as to be able to access the device’s microphone and camera to be able to monitor students for any interference that might affect the integrity of test results.  The organization drew parallels between a digital SAT administration to how they are currently allowing 3 million students to take versions of AP examinations while under stay-at-home orders.

Coleman was noted as saying, “If we are forced to deliver a digital SAT at home, we will double our efforts to confront the digital divide.”  He added that they are prepared to work with states and local school districts to be able to deliver technology or Wi-Fi hot spots to guarantee that any potential student that would like to sit for the SAT is able to do so from the comfort of their home.

If public health officials give the all clear, the College Board intends to offer weekend SAT administrations every month through the 2020 calendar year, beginning in August. Students will be able to register in May for the August through October testings, and priority will be given to students expected to graduate in 2021 who have not yet sat for the SAT.

Ronald Ehrenberg, a professor at Cornell University and the director of the Cornell Higher Education Research Institute stated, “The uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the announcement that the College Board has temporarily suspended the administration of the SAT as it seeks ‘an at-home style solution’ will most certainly continue the trend towards placing less weight on standardized tests.”

College Board officials said that, with the unprecedented nature of the ongoing pandemic, they are sympathetic to the various college and university admissions departments decisions to offer flexibility to students when it comes to submitting an SAT score or not; however, they have been critical of this in the past.

Coleman of the College Board further states, “We support colleges and our members totally in whatever flexibilities they adopt in these very challenging times.  This virus hits students very differently depending on their circumstances.  There has never been an event that I can recall that’s laid bare the division and inequalities in our society.”

For more education related information, click here.

 

Easy Pork Recipes For Every Occasion

Head on over to Bon Appetit to check out their list of 49 dinner recipes with pork as the star – each one as delicious and easy as the next.  In 1987, pork was branded as “The Other White Meat” and significantly campaigned in the United States. Before 1987, pork was thought to be a fatty protein and at times made some folks shy away from cooking regular dishes with it.  With the re-branding, many came to realize the benefits of cooking with pork – including the various cuts of meat and different means of preparation, and the rest is history.

Pork is an incredibly versatile protein, which can be prepared in a myriad of ways that result in a tasty meal every time. Common cooking methods include grilling, roasting, rotisserie roasting, pan sauteing, slow cooking, braising and more. Regardless of your preferred cut and cooking method, pork is almost always juicy, tender and full of flavor.

Below is a listing of our favorite recipes from Bon Appetit’s article – ranging from pork skewers to pork enchiladas – you’re going to want to start throwing pork into the dinner line-up more often after reading these!

Pan-Roasted Brined Pork Chop

When it comes to making succulent, flavorful meat, brining – otherwise known as martinating in salt water and spices – is the way to go. Adding sugar also brings about a dark, caramelized sheen that will have your diners mouths’ watering.  Try brining on these pork chops and delight your taste buds like never before.

Party-Ready Pork Roast

This recipe differs from most pork roast recipes in that it calls for two smaller bone-in roasts versus one big one. This provides increased surface areas which lessens cooking time and results in a tasty golden crust. With limited ingredients and being easy to make, this one is sure to be a hit. We’re serving this one with a salad and steamed or roasted veggies on the side.

Pork Marbella

If you’ve heard of Chicken Marbella, then you know how tasty this dish is.  Now, let’s pork it up!  This recipe takes the classic Chicken Marbella and incorporates quick-cooked pork tenderloin in its place, resulting in greater than 50% less preparation and cook time!  Better still, pork in this dish adds another layer of deliciousness!  We suggest marinating the pork overnight to infuse it with tons of flavor.

Curry-and-Coconut-Milk-Grilled Pork Skewers

If you love pork, curry and coconut milk, these Thai-style kebabs are where it’s at!  Not only are these skewers delicious and quick to prep and cook, everyone loves a good kebab – they’re just fun to grill and fun to eat.  You’re going to want to pair this one with a nice baked or roasted potatoes and a vegetable salad

Your New Favorite Pork Chops

Believe it or not, the trick to these pork chops is extra flipping.  Sounds crazy, right?  (It’s not!) Grab a few good looking cops and park your streaming device next to the stove so you can flip these beauties and baste them continuously during your cook time.  We can’t wait to get started on different chops (lamb!?) and spice combinations!

Pork Enchiladas Rojas

Looking for a fall-off-the-bone pulled pork enchilada recipe? Rolled into a tortilla, smothered in salsa roja and cheese, and baked until melty, gooey is all it takes to make this absolutely delicious dish.  Get ready for folks lining up for seconds on this one.  We’re gonna accompany this new pork experience with Mexican rice and refried beans.  Other suggestions for sides include black beans, Mexican street corn or some spicy roasted hominy!  YUM!

For more delicious recipes, click here.

NFL Draft Picks out of Louisiana Colleges

The last Saturday of the 2020 NFL draft, Saturday April 25th, was another big day for players from universities in Louisiana.  In total, ten players from universities of The Pelican State were drafted into NFL teams, of which four were from LSU, two from Tulane, two from Louisiana Tech and two from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  Two more LSU players went in the fourth round, which gave LSU a record-tying total of 14 players in the three-day draft.  The record is now shared with Ohio State, who produced 14 draftees in 2004.

Although the following recaps those Louisiana ten athletes that were selected on the last Saturday of the draft, it should be highlighted that the first NFL draft pick was that of LSU’s quarterback Joe Burrow, who led the team to a national championship after a 15-0 season.  Burrow was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Among Louisiana’s big Saturday draftees were LSU’s offensive tackle Saahdiq Charles, who was the second overall pick in the round, chosen by the Washington Redskins.  He started nine games in LSU’s national championship season of 2019.

The 12th LSU player drafted was Rashard Lawrence of LSU.  Touted as being good at the point of attack and holding his ground well against the run, he is remarkably seasoned, having started 34 of 44 games he played while at LSU.  Lawrence was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.

A solid and accomplished blocker, guard Kevin Dotson of UL-Lafayette, the second Ragin’ Cajun offensive lineman drafted (after Robert Hunt), was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Louisiana Tech saw two of its stars drafted back-to-back in the fourth round when defensive back L’Jarius Sneed was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs (2020 Superbowl champions) and corner back Amik Robertson was snagged by the Las Vegas Raiders.  Sneed is known for being a spectacular leaper and returning three interceptions for touchdowns at Louisiana Tech.  Roberston is described as an “electric talent” who plays with attitude and fears nothing.

Tulane star wide receiver Darnell Mooney was picked up by the Chicago Bears at pick 173.  He is remarkably fast and a consistent deep threat who scores nearly every time he touches the ball.

Long Snapper Blake Ferguson of LSU went to the Miami Dolphins.  Ferguson is an elite talent and was notably the only exclusive long snapper chosen in the draft.

At pick No. 237, Tulane cornerback Thakarius Keyes was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs.  Keyes, also known as “Bopete” was a two-year starter for the Green Wave of Tulane and started in all but one of the 24 games he competed in.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted University of Louisiana (Lafayette) running back Raymond Calais in the seventh round.  Calais is small, but is a fast and effective gunner which could increase his chances of starting for the Bucs.

Finally, LSU tied the record in the NFL Draft with a 14th selection as their tight end Stephen Sullivan was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks. Sullivan, a converted wide receiver, has a huge catch radius. He is big, but excels as a receiver as opposed to a blocker.  Although he was often lost in the crowd at LSU with so many great wide receivers, he was still picked up due to his intriguing talent on the field.

In sum, the coming years should be a great time for pro football enthusiasts in Louisiana as we go on to watch some of our favorite college ball athletes show off their talents on the NFL gridirons.

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