An open letter from nine Louisiana businessmen strongly supports Chancellor Sean O’Keefe while reports about the future of his job continue to circulate. The letter, published in the A section of Tuesday’s edition of The Advocate, was paid for as an advertisement by nine individuals who “felt compelled to express [their] vigorous support for ChancellorO’Keefe.” Stewart Slack, former LSU Board of Supervisors chairman, signed the letter. He said those responsible for the advertisement were upset by reports of the Board trying to remove O’Keefe as chancellor. “It would be like firing Les Miles after the championship game because he lost two games in overtime during the season,” Slack said. “We think it is an enormous mistake.” The letter cites O’Keefe’s accomplishments both before and during his time at the University as reason for their support. “Chancellor O’Keefe has done everything the Board of Supervisors and LSU System have asked of him,” the letter reads. Slack, who was chairman of the Board when O’Keefe’s contract was unanimously approved in 2005, said O’Keefe was brought to the University initiate a major fundraising campaign and pursue the Flagship Agenda. He said he thinks O’Keefe has been successful in accomplishing the goals set when he was hired. Charles Zewe, vice president for communications and external affairs, said the letter does not show an outside control over the Board or System leaders. He said they appreciate feedback on any issue, and respect the right of community members to express their views concerning Board actions. “We always pay attention to internal and external comment,” Zewe said. “We give trust in the public to give us feedback. We also trust students, faculty and staff to give us feedback about what is going on in the University.” Charles Weems, Board member, said it is natural for those who contribute their time, effort and money to a cause to want their opinions heard. “I think [the letter] shows that [O’Keefe] has done a lot of really good things, and he’s got a lot of important people who really like what he has done,” Weems said. Weems said the letter is important for Board members to consider when making any potential decisions about O’Keefe’s future because the business community leaders are important partners of the University. “We certainly should take into account their opinions and their views when we make important decision for the University,” Weems said. Board Chairman Jerry Shea he had no comments to make when asked if he would take the letter into consideration when making decisions about the Board’s actions. Dorothy Reese, Board member, said although she personally has made the decision to allow LSU System President John Lombardi to make decisions relative to personnel matters, she is still interested in the views of the University community at large. “Issues with the chancellor and any other personnel matters need to be addressed by our System president,” Reese said. “That is what we hired him to do. We have to allow him to be able to make these kind of decisions.” O’Keefe’s job security came under scrutiny earlier this month when Jonathan Martin, chairman of Roy O. Martin Lumber and a large donor to the University, sent a Dec. 31 e-mail to statewide business leaders alleging Lombardi told O’Keefe he “should be looking for another job.” Martin, who supports retaining O’Keefe as chancellor, said he is glad other business leaders have come forward to show their support for the O’Keefe. “I’m very much in favor of the ad,” Martin said. I wish I had known about it so I could have put my name in there with the rest of those guys. And I hope the board of supervisors will make a decision that is proper for LSU.” Slack said he wishes those upset with O’Keefe’s performance would publicly state what they believe O’Keefe has done wrong. “I certainly think for a position like [chancellor] that there ought to be some explanation if there is something so egregious that they’ve got to take immediate action,” Slack said. “If there’s not – if there is just a personality question or a ‘we wish you would have done better’ kind of thing – that doesn’t merit this race to get rid of somebody.” Slack said those who signed the letter wanted the public to know business leaders across the state support O’Keefe. “”My goal would be that the board give reconsideration for this, that everybody takes a step back and slows down and asks ‘what is best for LSU,'” Slack said. The letter urges others who support O’Keefe to “let [their] voices be heard now,” and lists the phone numbers of the office of the Board of Supervisors and the LSU System president’s office in addition to System President John Lombardi’s e-mail.
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