§1875.  Centers of Excellence Program; creation; operation; funding

A.  The Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges, with the approval of and in coordination with the Board of Regents, may establish a Centers of Excellence Program to provide customized educational and training programs to meet areas of need as identified by Louisiana business and industry.

B.(1)  The board may establish an advisory board composed of not more than seven individuals representing private businesses with high workforce training demands, which shall have the following duties:

(a)  Assist in the identification of the needs of business and industry.

(b)  Provide consultation regarding admissions, curriculum, equipment needs, tuition and fee models, and other aspects of the operation of a Center of Excellence as prescribed by the board.

(2)  No public funds shall be used to compensate a member of the advisory board for the performance of his duties on the board or to pay any per diem or other expenses related to the performance of his duties as a board member.

C.(1)  A Center of Excellence may be established only with private sector support, including funding or the donation of land or equipment, and shall be operated on a business model conducive to real-time market responsiveness which provides for flexibility in pricing, service delivery, and administration.

(2)  The Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges may establish a tuition and fee structure for a Center of Excellence that differs from that established for other courses or programs offered by institutions within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

Acts 2010, No. 555, §1.