The LSU Board of Supervisors asserted the necessity for change in a struggling state higher education environment as it voted to continue a transformation process that could result in a merger between the University and the System.

A special meeting on Friday featured brief discussion concerning the next steps in the transformation process after the Board voted to merge the president and University chancellor position last week at an Oct. 26 meeting.

The Board emphasized a set of “guiding principles” will be followed during the process of change for the LSU System as recommendations made by a Association of Governing Boards report is considered.

Those guidelines include creating a single Louisiana State University that boasts a national and international reputation.

Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins called the process “a significant discussion to determine the future of an institution that is absolutely vital for the wellbeing of the state of Louisiana.”

“We’re in a period of profound tectonic change, and we’re going to have to adapt and adopt,” Jenkins said.

The Board assured the crowded board room that the foregoing process would be inclusive to all LSU institutions and sensitive to individual need