by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech University emerged from the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session with major investments in athletics, academics, campus infrastructure and operating support as the Bulldogs prepare for their first year in the Sun Belt Conference.
The funding package includes a $4 million appropriation to replace lost conference revenue, more than $40 million for campus construction projects, a projected $2.1 million annual Sports Fund distribution and a $3.1 million increase in recurring formula funding.
Taken together, university officials say the investments represent more than a series of appropriations. They view them as a strong endorsement of Louisiana Tech’s direction.
“Governor Landry and the state legislature made meaningful investments in Louisiana Tech, especially in infrastructure that will serve our growing student population,” said Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson. “Their direct support of our transition to the Sun Belt Conference affirms a key part of our Athletics Department’s strategic financial vision while reducing the travel burden on our student athletes and positively impacting the economies of multiple Louisiana communities.
“Additionally, we look forward to working with our policymakers in the coming months as they explore measures to reward institutional performance in the state’s funding distribution model.”
For Louisiana Tech Executive Vice President for External Affairs Cami Geisman, one of the session’s most significant accomplishments was the Legislature’s decision to provide $4 million to replace conference distribution revenue Louisiana Tech will no longer receive after leaving Conference USA to join the Sun Belt Conference.
“One of the most important things from our perspective was refilling that conference distribution that, with our exit, we didn’t receive,” Geisman said. “The Legislature’s investment to really replace that conference distribution that we didn’t get through Conference USA is a direct endorsement of this transition that we know is going to be a net positive not only for the fans, but a net positive for our budget.
Louisiana Tech officially joined the Sun Belt on July 1 after spending 13 years in Conference USA. The move reunites the Bulldogs with longtime regional rivals, including UL Lafayette and ULM, while reducing travel costs and creating more fan-friendly schedules.
“We’re especially pleased with the investment that the Legislature recognized for our athletic transition, what it’s going to do for our fan base, what it’s going to do for UL Lafayette, ULM, as these regional rivalries are reinvigorated,” she said. “I just think that recognition was an endorsement on this work, which is very pleasing.”
Geisman said lawmakers recognized both the financial challenges that accompany conference realignment and the opportunities the move presents.
“That was a huge endorsement, and we’re really appreciative of that,” she said.
Lawmakers also increased statewide higher education formula funding from $635.5 million during fiscal year 2026 to $691.5 million for fiscal year 2027, a $56 million increase. Louisiana Tech’s share of that funding rose from approximately $35.1 million to $38.2 million, an increase of about $3.1 million.
Meanwhile, the Legislature continued funding several major capital outlay projects already underway across the university.
The University of Louisiana System received approximately $218 million in capital outlay funding this year, with Louisiana Tech securing funding for multiple high-priority projects.
Among them is the ongoing renovation of George T. Madison Hall, commonly known as GTM. The Legislature approved $31.6 million in Priority 1 funding for the project, allowing work to continue during the current fiscal year. Priority 1 funding is reserved for projects that are ready to move forward immediately and are expected to spend state dollars during the current budget cycle.
Earlier this year, Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson announced the renovation was running approximately two months ahead of schedule. When completed, the nearly 60-year-old building will be transformed into what university officials have described as one of Louisiana Tech’s premier academic facilities.
“We have these great construction projects already underway,” she said. “So that continued investment is very appreciated.”
The Legislature also approved an additional $9 million in Priority 1 funding for Louisiana Tech’s Forest Products Innovation Center, which is expected to open later this year.
Once complete, the center will include classrooms, laboratories and wood-processing capabilities designed to support student learning while advancing research into sustainable forestry, mass timber construction and innovative wood products. University leaders believe the facility will strengthen partnerships with industry while creating new opportunities for workforce development and economic growth across Louisiana.
Lawmakers also approved smaller appropriations to complete remaining work on Louisiana Tech’s Origin Bank Center for Student Athlete Success and upgrades to electrical switchgear serving the campus power plant.
The Legislature also authorized a new $5 million waterproofing project for Wyly Tower, home to Louisiana Tech’s library and several administrative offices.
Although only $500,000 was placed in Priority 2 this year, Geisman said the initial funding should allow planning work to begin before larger construction appropriations become available in a future budget cycle.
Geisman said recent heavy rains underscored the need for the project, noting water intrusion has become an ongoing concern inside the building.
“This building still has years left in it,” Geisman said. “It’s the best view on campus. It’s great for our touring visitors to come up, but it’s also our library. State investment in that is going to be vital.”
Athletics also stand to benefit from another relatively new state funding source.
The university received approximately $2.1 million through the state’s Sports Fund during fiscal year 2026 and is projected to receive another $2.1 million during fiscal year 2027. Created by the Legislature in 2025, the fund distributes a portion of state sports betting revenue equally among Louisiana’s Division I athletic programs.
Geisman said the equal distribution model provides meaningful financial support as college athletics continues to evolve.
“Those dollars are really important, really kind of the first investment that I know of that the state has made in our athletics programs,” Geisman said. “Having those resources is really nice, as well as just the way it’s structured and that it’s equal among all the programs.”
Combined with the $4 million conference realignment appropriation, the Sports Fund provides Louisiana Tech with more than $6 million in additional athletic support.
While athletics and construction projects drew much of the attention during the session, Geisman said another important victory came through the state’s higher education funding formula.
The Legislature increased statewide formula funding by $56 million, raising the total allocation from $635.5 million in fiscal year 2026 to $691.5 million for fiscal year 2027. Louisiana Tech’s allocation increased from approximately $35.1 million to $38.2 million, an increase of about 8.9%.
Formula funding provides recurring operating support for Louisiana’s public colleges and universities, helping fund instruction, student services and other institutional operations.
Although pleased with the increase, Geisman said Louisiana Tech continues to believe the current formula does not fully recognize the university’s performance.
She noted lawmakers have created a task force to review the formula later this year, offering universities an opportunity to recommend changes before future funding decisions are made.
“We’re heartened that our message about the inequities in funding was heard,” Geisman said. “I think when you see the outcomes of when we talk about enrollment growth and we talk about success metrics and graduation rates, retention rates, time to degree, those will be recognized in future iterations of the formula, and we can correct some of those inequities. That’s the hope.”
Geisman acknowledged the formula is complex, incorporating numerous performance measures rather than relying solely on enrollment. Still, she believes Louisiana Tech’s strong retention rates, graduation rates and enrollment growth position the university to receive a larger share of future formula funding if lawmakers adopt changes recommended by the study committee.
Looking across the legislative package, Geisman said the various appropriations work together to advance Louisiana Tech’s long-term strategic goals.
