The LSU Board of Supervisors approved all committee proposals on the agenda at Thursday’s meeting, including the football ticket price increase. Proposals brought forth by the four committees were approved at the meeting. Each issue was unanimously approved by the Board except for the athletic committee’s proposal to raise football ticket prices. Board member Louis Lambert of Prairieville was the only one to disapprove of the increase. The increase passed seven to one. The increase, proposed by Athletic Director Skip Bertman, did not pass without opposition, though. Student Government President and Board member Cassie Alsfeld repeatedly asked Bertman about the increase’s effect on students. “The students come first,” Alsfeld said regarding taking student seats. Alsfeld expressed concern over an eventual increase in price as well. In response, Bertman said that this particular proposal includes “no student increase.”
After Bertman assured student ticket prices are unaffected, Alsfeld voted for the increase. The Board took a recess following the committee meetings. After the break, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the meeting. The minutes were previously reviewed Dec. 6-7.
The personnel actions were also unanimously approved. Neither Chancellor Sean O’Keefe nor his resignation were included in the personnel actions. System President John Lombardi also failed to mention him in the president’s report.
Although O’Keefe’s resignation was not on the agenda, Board member Charles Weems of Alexandria felt it necessary to acknowledge the issue, he said. Weems said it “was handled with dignity on both sides,” and he does not challenge Lombardi’s authority. Weems said O’Keefe will be remembered for how well he handled Hurricane Katrina, the Flagship Agenda and the Forever LSU campaign. “To Sean O’Keefe, thank you,” Weems said. After the meeting, Lombardi said O’Keefe’s successor is handling the situation well. “The transition has gone about as well as these things do,” he said. Lombardi failed to comment on O’Keefe’s future plans. “[O’Keefe’s resignation] was a plan he wanted to follow,” Lombardi said. This month’s Board meeting was conducted in just one day. The Board usually designates two days to consider and approve committee proposals. Lambert said he was impressed with the meeting’s “sharp agenda” and thanked Board Chairman Jerry Shea of New Iberia for the meeting’s efficiency. Shea, however, credited the concise meeting to the System staff.