SUNO/UNO Merger Study Allowed To Continue

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The study of a possible merger of Southern University at New Orleans with the University of New Orleans can resume. State District Judge Tim Kelley on Friday lifted a temporary restraining order, which had been issued by another judge, that had stalled the study. The Board of Regents has hired a national consultant to look at a possible merger, at the request of Governor Bobby Jindal. A group of Southern University students filed a lawsuit seeking to stop any effort toward consolidation until the Regents board is reworked. The lawsuit argues the board's makeup is unconstitutional because it doesn't adequately represent black and female Louisianans. A court hearing is scheduled next Thursday on the lawsuit's request for an injunction and for a declaration that the Regents board membership is unconstitutional.