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University of New Orleans Seeks Support Amid Budget Crunch at Washington Mardi Gras

Facing a $10 million budget shortfall, the University of New Orleans (UNO) is turning to Washington Mardi Gras in a bid to secure private donations and federal research dollars. It’s a strategic effort to address financial challenges that have plagued the institution for years. UNO’s leadership and supporters gathered at the annual event in the nation’s capital, highlighting the university’s achievements and needs.

Rebuilding Connections After 15 Years

The 2025 Washington Mardi Gras marks UNO’s first major presence at the event in over 15 years. The university hosted a Saturday brunch led by President Kathy Johnson, who emphasized the importance of private funding for UNO’s participation. Alumni, potential donors, and public officials, including prominent Louisiana politicians, attended the event.

“We have a plan to get from where we are right now,” Johnson explained, underscoring the role of private money in financing the university’s outreach efforts.

This year, UNO has also brought in Washington Navigators, a federal lobbying firm specializing in higher education, to amplify its profile and advocate for increased research funding. While UNO previously employed federal lobbyists, this is its first partnership with Washington Navigators, funded by the private University of New Orleans Foundation.

Strengthening Research and Retaining Talent

Maintaining its R2 status for “high research activity” is critical for UNO. The university must invest at least $5 million annually in research and confer 20 doctoral degrees each year to keep this designation. For now, UNO is well above those thresholds, having spent $20 million on research in 2023.

University of New Orleans campus entrance

Scott Sudduth, a partner with Washington Navigators, highlighted the significance of raising UNO’s profile among federal agencies like the National Science Foundation. According to Sudduth, showcasing the university’s standout researchers and programs will be essential in securing additional grant funding.

Increased funding would also help stabilize the faculty, a crucial step as the university grapples with ongoing challenges.

“It starts with raising your profile,” Sudduth explained, adding that he plans to visit the UNO campus to better understand its research strengths.

UNO benefits from Louisiana’s influential Republican congressional delegation, including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Cassidy’s presence at the UNO brunch further underscored the importance of leveraging political connections to advocate for the university’s future.

Lingering Financial Challenges

UNO’s budget struggles are not new. The university’s enrollment plummeted from 17,000 students before Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to just 6,488 in the fall of 2024. This sharp decline strained the university’s finances, especially as Louisiana’s higher education system faced significant budget cuts during Gov. Bobby Jindal’s tenure from 2008 to 2016.

These reductions shifted the financial burden onto students, resulting in higher tuition costs across the state. For UNO, the enrollment drop created additional challenges, as its expenses did not adjust proportionately.

Johnson has implemented cost-cutting measures to address the imbalance, including administrative consolidations and furloughs for most employees earlier this month. Further staff reductions are expected later this year, a sobering reality for a university struggling to align its budget with its smaller student population.

Past Successes Offer a Blueprint for the Future

Despite its current challenges, UNO’s history of resilience and achievement provides hope for its recovery. The university’s leaders and advocates are banking on increased visibility, stronger lobbying efforts, and renewed financial support to navigate these turbulent times.

UNO’s presence at Washington Mardi Gras demonstrates a commitment to securing a brighter future for the institution and its students. By building relationships with donors and leveraging political connections, the university is making a case for why its mission and research deserve continued investment.

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