While speculation grows about when Sean O’Keefe’s future at the University will be solidified, one LSU System donor believes the issue will be discussed at Thursday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “I have talked to a few members of the Board of Supervisors who felt given the publicity the subject [O’Keefe’s future at the University] has had, it would probably come up at the meeting whether it was on the agenda or not,” said Jonathan Martin, chairman of Roy O. Martin Lumber and a large donor to the University. Martin said he could not disclose the names of Board members with whom he spoke. At the end of the business day Tuesday, no new items were added to the Board meeting’s agenda, said Charles Zewe, vice president for communications and external affairs. O’Keefe’s job security came under scrutiny earlier this month when Martin sent an e-mail Dec. 31 to statewide business leaders alleging LSU System President John Lombardi told O’Keefe he “should be looking for another job.” As of Tuesday night, O’Keefe said he has made no decision regarding his employment. “I haven’t decided anything yet,” O’Keefe said when asked if he had made a decision to resign as chancellor Zewe said Tuesday evening he was unaware if O’Keefe intends to resign prior to the board meeting. “I don’t have any paperwork in front of me on anything like that,” Zewe said. “If somebody is reporting [O’Keefe’s resignation], I am not aware of that.” But items could be added to the agenda during the meeting Thursday, Zewe said. He said for an item to be added during the meeting, at least one Board member must bring forth the agenda item and a two-thirds vote by the Board must approve adding the item in order for it to be discussed. Jerry Shea, Board chairman, said he had not heard any developments about a new item being added to the meeting’s agenda. Charles Weems, Board member, said he has not heard of a move to add an item to the agenda. He said the two-thirds vote needed to add an item to the agenda during the meeting would make it difficult for an issue about O’Keefe’s job to be added. “I’d say it’s highly unlikely,” Weems said. “I’d just be surprised for something like that to come on the agenda at the last minute without notice to my colleagues. It’s certainly possible, but I wouldn’t say it’s likely.” Weems said he does not favor adding an item to the agenda during the meeting. He said if an item was added by the support of other Board members he would be open to the discussion and consider the Board’s opinions. “My normal feeling on such matters is that we need to have some notice,” Weems said. “We need to have an opportunity to see whatever the materials [surrounding new agenda items] are. If it were [added] just for discussion purposes, that would be something different.” Martin said he believes O’Keefe’s future will be discussed during Thursday’s meeting even if some Board members are not willing to say if they would approve adding such an item to the agenda. “I feel like it’s probably coming up,” Martin said.
—-Contact Nicholas Persac at [email protected]