Under the threat of lawsuit, the LSU Board of Supervisors will respond to multiple public records requests seeking LSU presidential candidates’ identities at a special meeting Wednesday.

Daily Reveille Editor in Chief Andrea Gallo originally told the Board and other parties involved on March 18 they had a week to seek Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s opinion on the matter or face legal action. The Board asked for a two-day reprieve Monday so it can discuss its response in an executive session at Wednesday’s meeting, said Scott Sternberg, Gallo’s attorney.

“They’ll probably meet to discuss if they should request an attorney general’s opinion, grant our original public records request and whether they think our threat of litigation is serious, which I assure them it is,” Sternberg said.

The Board will not disclose exactly what will be discussed Wednesday because its attorneys will be involved, according to Shelby McKenzie, LSU lead legal counsel.

“It will be an opportunity for the Board to discuss the situation with its attorneys,” McKenzie said.

A vote to approve LSU President Designate F. King Alexander’s appointment is also expected Wednesday.

Gallo’s public records request was originally denied because the search was funded by private dollars, following a similar denial handed to The Advocate in February.

“If they decide to release the names on Wednesday, then I would say this whole thing should blow over pretty quickly,” Gallo said.

The Society of Professional Journalists and the Student Press Law Center have also been paying attention to the potential legal action.

“We’re not the only ones in this game. There are other media organizations out there that are taking a very hard look at what they’re doing,” Sternberg said.