By JIM BUTLER

LSU Alexandria’s net financial position improved about 47 percent in the year ending last June 30.

The annual legislative audit of the LSU System shows the Alexandria campus added $2.6 million to its previous year-ending $5.6 million net position.

The school’s burgeoning enrollment led to $4 million more in tuition and fees than the year before. That’s after a scholarships allowance deduction of $7.8 million.

The total operating income was $32 million, compared to $27 million a year earlier.

Operating expenses were $54.8 million, up $11 million.

About $20.1 million of that expense was instruction costs, an increase of $4 million.

The net operating loss of $22.7 million was covered by $23.6 million in non-operating revenue, including $8.6 million in state appropriations and $13 million in federal funds.

Legislative capital appropriations of $1.47 million and capital gifts and grants of $400,000 and the $886,000 net income margin resulted in the annual net position of $2.6 million, increasing the institution’s position to $8.2 million.