Concern about how to handle the LSU System’s future dominated Friday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The afternoon began with Integrated Committee meetings, the first of which was an update on the efforts of the LSU Health Sciences Centers. The committee meetings continued with the board approving six degree programs at LSU-Alexandria and LSU-Shreveport. The most unusual of which was a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at LSU Alexandria. The proposal stated that most degree programs in chemistry are listed as a bachelor of arts; however, this degree program is designed to educate future teachers in the field of chemistry. Athletic Director Joe Alleva then took the podium, asking the board to approve ten coaching contracts. The board also approved the employment contract for basketball Head Coach Johnny Jones, who took advantage of the opportunity to address the board and ensure success is just over the horizon. “I look forward to getting our basketball team to where our football team and baseball team are year in and year out,” Jones announced. Alleva ended his presentation by giving an update on the super-regional between Stony Brook and LSU. As the board moved to the Finance, Infrastructure and Core Development Committee, Perry spoke candidly about how the LSU system should begin to handle budget cuts. “We really need to consider what each program is worth,” Perry said. “This is the new normal for higher education. Maybe instead of horizontal cuts across all institutions, we should use vertical cuts based on what programs and institutions are worth. The board then took a quick intermission before returning for the regular board meeting. The first order of business was inducting the new members. The board then took turns exchanging complements and giving recognition to those playing vitals roles in fighting for higher education during the legislative session. Although Interim President and Chancellor Bill Jenkins officially replaced outgoing Chancellor Michael Martin at the meeting Friday, Martin presented an idea for developing the campus. “We have, for some time, known that we have to make some changes on Nicholson to replace housing that is well past its due date,” Martin said. “The famous gates [on Highland] are no longer how people arrive; they now arrive primarily on Nicholson. And, Nicholson looks less like the front door of a great university and more like a loading dock.” Martin proposed creating a building specifically for the LSU foundation that would impress donors and improve the overall appearance of the southern part of campus, near Nicholson Drive. He also proposed moving University communications to the same area in order to create more space for greek life. The meeting ended with the board speaking about searching for a new system president and ensuring a sound future for the University. “The next 15 to 18 months could define LSU for the next two decades” Perry proclaimed. “We need to be thorough and effective in our search for administrative positions.” ____ Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]