Editor’s note: This is the third in a three-part series looking back at F. King Alexander’s time at California State University Long Beach and ahead at his plans as the new LSU president.
While former Interim System President and Chancellor William Jenkins floated between offices in Thomas D. Boyd Hall and the Offices of the University System Building on West Lakeshore Drive, current President F. King Alexander has made his permanent office in the System Building, a move that reflects the larger scope of his position compared to past presidents.
In an effort to increase efficiency and save money across the LSU System, the University began the reorganization process earlier this year. The positions of president and chancellor were merged and the Transition Advisory Team — an appointed group of 10 people in charge of making recommendations for reorganization to the Board of Supervisors — attempted to outline ways to consolidate the resources spread throughout the various schools in the
LSU System.
Alexander said his primary role in reorganization is to facilitate cooperation between the different campuses and outsider schools in the LSU System. The difficult part of this, he said, is rebuilding trust between the chancellors after they have gone long periods without meeting in the past.
“We’re asking, ‘How can this campus help the other
campuses succeed?’” Alexander said. “Anything we can do together, we’re going to do jointly.”
As president of California State University, Long Beach, which houses the CSU System office on its campus, Alexander said he dealt with many issues that faced the student population of the entire system, which numbers almost 437,000. He said he feels confident his experience working within that system will find him well-prepared to face the
challenges of coordinating the various bodies of the University.
Despite Alexander’s confidence in his ability to adapt, there are differences between the two campuses he has never faced before. The LSU System includes, besides several campuses across the state, the AgCenter, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the LSU Health public hospital system.
CSULBAcademicSenate Chair Dan O’Connor said he thought Alexander would be
well-suited to a system-wide role, but it would take him time to adjust to a new school and a different state.
“He’ll have a quiet first year. He won’t make too many mistakes, but he’ll begin to manage and make sure people share his vision,” O’Connor said. “If anyone can do it, he can. He was a leader here among 23 presidents [of CSU system schools].”
While the TAT deliberates on further recommendations for
reorganization, Alexander said there is not much he can do but work with other chancellors to improve communication and relationships between the schools in the LSU System.
The TAT met most recently in July to discuss research-faculty funding, tenure evaluations and retention of faculty, among other things.
Alexander said in the coming months, he will focus on the University’s recruiting policy, fundraising and lobbying on behalf of the University.
He said other priorities of the TAT include reevaluating and streamlining the University’s methods of grant procurement and risk management.
Alexander will spend much of this week in Dallas, in preparation for the Cowboy Classic football game against Texas Christian University, meeting with alumni and large-scale donors, he said.
Editor’s note: This is the third in a three-part series looking back at F. King Alexander’s time at California State University Long Beach and ahead at his plans as the new LSU president.
While former Interim System President and Chancellor William Jenkins floated between offices in Thomas D. Boyd Hall and the System Building on W. Lakeshore Dr., current President F. King Alexander has made his permanent office in the System Building, a move that reflects the larger scope of his position compared to past presidents.
In an effort to increase efficiency and save money across the LSU System, the University began the reorganization process earlier this year. The positions of president and chancellor were merged and the Transition Advisory Team — an appointed group of 10 people in charge of making recommendations for reorganization to the Board of Supervisors — attempted to outline ways to consolidate the resources spread throughout the various schools included in the LSU System.
Alexander said his primary role in reorganization is to facilitate cooperation between the different campuses and outsider schools in the LSU System. The difficult part of this, he said, is rebuilding trust between the chancellors, after they have gone long periods without meeting in the past.
“We’re asking, ‘How can this campus help the other campuses succeed?’” Alexander said. “Anything we can do together, we’re going to do jointly.”
As president of California State University, Long Beach, which houses the CSU System office on its campus, Alexander said he dealt with many issues that faced the student population of the entire system, which numbers almost 437,000. He said he feels confident his experience working within that system will find him well-prepared to face the challenges of coordinating the various bodies of the University.
Despite Alexander’s confidence in his ability to adapt, there are differences between the two campuses he has never faced before. The LSU System includes, besides several campuses across the state, the AgCenter, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the LSU Health public hospital system.
CSULB Academic Senate Chair Dan O’Connor said he thought Alexander would be well-suited to a system-wide role, but it would take him time to adjust to a new school and a different state.
“He’ll have a quiet first year. He won’t make too many mistakes, but he’ll begin to manage and make sure people share his vision,” O’Connor said. “If anyone can do it, he can. He was a leader here among 23 presidents [of CSU system schools].”
While the TAT deliberates on further recommendations for reorganization, Alexander said there is not much Alexander can do but work with other chancellors to improve communication and relationships between the schools in the LSU System.
The TAT met most recently in July to discuss research-faculty funding, tenure evaluations and retention of facultly, among other things.
Alexander said in the coming months, he will focus on the University’s recruiting policy, fundraising and lobbying on behalf of the University.
He said other priorities of the TAT include reevaluating and streamlining the University’s methods of grant procurement and risk management.
Alexander will spend much of this week in Dallas, in preparation for the Cowboy Classic football game against Texas Christian University, meeting with alumni and large-scale donors, he said.
“He’ll have a quiet first year. He won’t make too many mistakes, but he’ll begin to manage and make sure people share his vision.”