But F. King didn’t take a stand on the immigration order, either way.

From the Baton Rouge Business Report:

LSU President F. King Alexander sent a statement to all students and faculty on Monday afternoon, taking no position on President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration ban but acknowledging it is causing “significant alarm” on campus.

Alexander affirms the university’s support for international students in the statement, and says LSU is “monitoring the issue” and will update students and faculty who could be affected.

“Our colleagues from the international community are more than simply welcome at LSU—they are respected and valued, and we are appreciative of their contributions to the success of our university,” Alexander says.

LSU Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Dereck Rovaris says there are over 100 students at the university affected by the order, as well as faculty members with families. He has heard concerns from students since before the election about traveling home, and he says many chose to stay in the U.S. for winter break due to their concerns.

International students are actually big business for universities. They often pay full tuition and it is either out of pocket or through a third party such as a private scholarship or employer. Universities want international students from just about everywhere. That is a major reason why many universities have come against Trump’s immigration executive order.

F. King was trying to straddle the fence. He was very careful not to take a stance against it. Probably because he knows that most of the Legislature agree with Trump on this issue.

F. King doesn’t realize it, but that’s another reason why he shouldn’t rely so much on the Legislature for his funding. It gives him and LSU more political independence.