MONROE, La. – During Wednesday’s October Board meeting on the campus of the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM), the Board of Regents adopted a policy for the responsible, ethical, and secure use of artificial intelligence (AI).
This policy seeks both to prohibit the misuse of AI that undermines data system security and integrity and to encourage appropriate standards for AI use for education and research in public postsecondary education in Louisiana.
The Board also adopted a resolution urging Louisiana’s public postsecondary systems to create similar policies for their systems and member institutions, setting clear standards governing AI use across Louisiana’s public colleges and universities.
“As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in our everyday lives, it is imperative that we develop comprehensive and sound AI policies addressing both cybersecurity responsibility and knowledge development,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed. “We look forward to engaging with our systems and institutions to ensure that they provide solid guidance that allows students to understand the power and utility of AI in the workforce and everyday life, but also the responsibilities necessary for ethical and safe use of this fast-evolving tool.”
During the meeting, Board members also approved the FY 2026–2027 budget request for public postsecondary education. Regents will transmit the approved higher education budget request to the Division of Administration by November 1, 2025, as required by state law.
The Board further approved the FY 2026–2027 Capital Outlay budget recommendation, which includes 68 continuing projects and 11 new project requests. This information will be submitted to the Division of Administration for consideration.
In addition, the Board received annual reports on two statewide financial aid programs – the M.J. Foster Promise adult financial aid program and TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students). Both programs continue to successfully expand educational access to Louisiana citizens.
The M.J. Foster Promise Program, which was recognized as College Promise’s 2025 National Impact Award winner on Tuesday in San Antonio, is a $10.5M program providing aid to adults seeking to earn high-demand, short-term credentials through Louisiana’s community and community technical colleges.
According to the latest M.J. Foster Promise Report, the program supported the education and training of 6,308 students in 2024–25. Forty-five percent (45%) of the students were 30 years of age or older, and almost 70% earned less than the ALICE Household Survival Budget for a single adult in Louisiana ($29,316) prior to returning to school.
In 2024–25, 3,900 MJFP credentials were earned, with an overwhelming majority of completers in healthcare (2,191) and transportation occupations (741). On average, the credential earned enabled a completer to increase their annual salary by $36,000.
“The M.J. Foster Promise Program continues to stand as the cornerstone of affordability and workforce development for adult learners here in Louisiana,” said Chair Misti S. Cordell. “Its impact is clear. Participants are completing their credentials and earning higher annual wages, which yields a positive economic impact for our state.”
The annual TOPS Report tells a familiar student success story. Students who receive TOPS support are much more likely to complete their degrees, and in a shorter timeframe, than their peers who do not. This year’s report shows continuing strong TOPS completion rates and record retention rates. Yet, despite these strong academic statistics, the proportion of eligible students who choose to accept their TOPS award continues to decline, as it has done for the last decade. This year, the state legislature created a new TOPS Excellence award, which provides increased financial aid funding designed to retain Louisiana’s highest-performing high school graduates.
Both reports will be submitted to the appropriate legislative committees as required by law. They can be accessed at www.laregents.edu/legislative.
Chair Cordell also named the Board’s nominating committee, assigned to recommend the 2026 slate of officers.
The Board of Regents will hold its final regularly scheduled meetings of 2025 on Wednesday, December 10, beginning with its biannual joint meeting with BESE, followed by its December Committee and Board meetings.
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Contact
Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications
chris.yandle@laregents.edu • 985-373-5845