College system heads have asked for ideas from campus leaders, and they've been floating suggestions to lawmakers and Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration in behind-the-scenes discussions.
This new addition request comes after six years of budget cuts that have taken $690 million out of funding for colleges, and tuition has filled only part of that gap.
Governor Bobby Jindal signs into law legislation giving state universities more freedom from contracting, purchasing, and budgeting rules required of other state agencies.