Chancellor Sean O’Keefe’s resignation as the University’s top leader was scarcely mentioned at today’s LSU Board of Supervisors meeting.
Board member Charles Weems first mentioned O’Keefe’s resignation at the end of the meeting, saying he did not want “ignore the elephant in the room.”
Weems said the resignation impaired the Board’s ability to address the issue. He said he does not challenge Lombardi’s authority.
“LSU will move forward under the leadership of President Lombardi and this Board,” Weems said. “Sean O’Keefe, thank you for your service as chancellor, and to the rest of us, we must move forward.”
Board chairman Jerry Shea thanked O’Keefe for his service and thanked Lombardi for his “quick action” in appointing System president emeritus William Jenkins to serve as acting chancellor when O’Keefe relinquishes his administrative duties Feb. 1.
Weems requested his statement concerning O’Keefe be placed verbatim in the meeting’s minutes.
Also, an Athletic Department proposal to substantially increase football ticket prices favorably passed through the Board’s Athletic Committee on Thursday afternoon.
Athletic Director Skip Bertman addressed the Board and detailed plans for the $11.6 million the Athletic Department will gain during the three-year funding plan. Bertman said the Tradition Fund surcharges for the LSU football season tickets are crucial for sustaining the $70-million Athletic Department budget that is run without state tax-payer dollars or student fees.
Louis Lambert of Prairieville was the sole committee member to vote against the proposal. Lambert expressed concerns about “hope for thousands of football families” that may be unable to afford season tickets.
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