The Louisiana Board of Regents took the first step in finding a new commissioner of higher eduction on Monday, with current commissioner Jim Purcell stepping down next month.
The board approved the formation of a selection committee that would review search firm applications. The search firm would then be in charge of selecting the new commissioner. Among other agenda items, the board also approved the lease for the construction of the new LSU Foundation building and the formation of an advisory council for teacher and leader preparation effectiveness.
Search firms across the country submitted requests for proposals to the Board of Regents, explaining the services they offer, vying to be chosen as the firm to select Purcell’s successor, said Katara Williams, assistant commissioner for public affairs for the Louisiana Board of Regents.
Board Chair W. Clinton Rasberry Jr. authorized himself, Board Secretary Albert Sam, former Interim Commissioner of Higher Education Tom Layzell, Regent Robert Levy and Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration Barbara Goodson to the selection committee to review and score the proposal to be presented at the March meeting.
The board also recognized Purcell for three years of service as commissioner of higher education. Rasberry commended Purcell for his “data-based comments,” which helped the board make “dramatically difficult decisions.”
Levy said Purcell “could not have come at a more difficult time,” referring to the “horrible five and half years” of budget cuts and turmoil in higher education. Levy thanked Purcell for stabilizing the situation and said he hopes the board can make him proud.
The board approved all of the agenda items, including the lease to construct the new LSU Foundation building, which will be the first of the proposed Nicholson Gateway Plan.
The total projected cost of the building is $12 million, which will be paid for by the Foundation Office Building, LLC, using only private donations and financing. Work on the project is scheduled to commence June 15 and should be completed by no later than June 15, 2016.
The board also approved the creation of an advisory council for teacher and leader preparation effectiveness. The council was formed because of a need for K-12 collaboration with higher education to adequately prepare new teachers and leaders to address the shifts occurring in K-12 schools, according to the board’s agenda.
The board will utilize the council to make systemic changes to the curricula of teacher and leader effectiveness programs in the state and pursue external funding to support those changes and implement research studies in Louisiana.

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Lauren Duhon

Louisiana Board of Regents chair W. Clinton “Bubba” Rasberry, Jr. discusses a proposal Monday, Feb. 17, 2014 at a meeting in the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.