Nearly one year ago, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s efforts to merge Southern University at New Orleans with the nearby University of New Orleans set off a firestorm of national criticism and advocacy. Today, Jindal dedicated a new building on the SUNO campus.

The $3.3 million facility will house the university’s College of Business and Public Administration.

Gerald Brooks, the Student Government Association’s executive secretary, said he hopes SUNO will “continue its long history of educating those who might not otherwise have access to a college education.”

After discussing repairs that still need to be done to campus buildlings, including the library, Cynthia Honore-Collins, president of the SUNO Alumni Association, said she will “hold Gov. Jindal’s foot to the fire to make sure that all these things are accomplished.” (NOLA.com)