The semester for the LSU Board of Supervisors was filled with ups and downs in approving measures affecting the LSU System and the University.
Most recently, the Board came under fire after Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope sent a letter to Attorney General James “Buddy” Caldwell on Nov. 5, accusing it of illegally voting on a measure at its October regular Board meeting.
Toward the end of the meeting, the Board unexpectedly called to vote on a measure to consolidate the system president and chancellor position, following a presentation by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.
AGB had been hired by the Board to assess the LSU System’s strengths and weaknesses.
Louisiana open meetings law requires public notification of a meeting and a meeting agenda to be posted for the public no less than 24 hours prior to the meeting, and the public must be allowed to register one hour prior to the meeting to comment.
The presentation had been listed under the “Chairman’s Report” on the meeting’s agenda, while all other initiatives voted on were listed under “Approval of Consent Agenda Items.”
Cope said this prevented the public from having adequate time to comment on the consolidation.
“A decision like that is a significant item,” Cope said Nov. 7.
Assistant Attorney General Emalie A. Boyce wrote the Board in response to Cope’s letter, expressing concern over the way the vote was conducted.
Immediately after, Board Chairman Hank Danos said the Board would reconsider the vote at its regular December meeting.
Before making negative news, the Board approved the LSU Athletics Fund Transfer Policy on Sept. 7.
Under the policy’s conditions, LSU Athletics will donate $7.2 million a year to the University for five years.
The fund will support academics, research, public service and allow both the University and LSU Athletics to have more certainty when developing operating budgets, according to Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins.
Over the past four years, the state has cut 43.6 percent from the University’s appropriations. To ease the cuts, the University has boosted self-generated funds by about $103 million, or more than 54 percent, mainly through tuition increases.
“[The LSU Athletics Fund Transfer Policy] is so important,” Jenkins said in September. “It’s clearly dependent upon our continued success.”
Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva said the policy was the first of its kind among other universities.
Cope applauded the measure.
“It integrates Athletics into the University in a way no one else is doing,” Cope said in September. “It’s an example of LSU leading the nation.”
‘[The LSU Athletics Fund Transfer Policy] is so important. It’s clearly dependent on our continued success.’
