UNO And SUNO Merger Study Date Pushed Back

An independent study examining a possible merger between two New Orleans universities was due today. However, Board of Regents spokesperson Meg Casper says the deadline has been pushed back until March 15th. Casper says litigation delayed work on a study examining whether the state should combine UNO with the Southern University of New Orleans. Governor Bobby Jindal requested the merger study. There was also a resolution passed by lawmakers last year to conduct a study into the overall higher education needs for the New Orleans area. Casper says the goal is to now get the study done by March 15th. Former congressman Cleo Fields filed a suit that resulted in a delay of the study. A restraining order was denied last week, but Fields has said he's considering an appeal. Casper says the Board of Regents is considering a special meeting to receive the report.