Taking college tuition control away from the state Legislature and other financing issues dominated discussions Monday with the state higher education review commission.

What was not discussed — but could take up much of today’s meeting — are controversial recommendations to consolidate the LSU System, University of Louisiana System and Southern University System management boards into one state board.

Other proposed recommendations include merging the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans and, in the Shreveport area, merging LSU at Shreveport with Southern University at Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College.

The review panel, often dubbed the Tucker Commission after House Speaker Jim Tucker who sponsored the formative legislation, is tasked with advising ways to streamline higher education.

Gov. Bobby Jindal has asked the commission to recommend how to cut $146 million from college budgets during lean financial times.

“There’s just no money,” Terrell said. “There’s no way to increase anything.”