Chancellor Sean O’Keefe responded Tuesday to student concerns about building renovations, expansion of student programs and the transition to a pedestrian campus. The discussion, hosted by Student Government, was the first Chat with the Chancellor of the semester. O’Keefe talked with students in Free Speech Alley while SG representatives handed out free king cake. Evan Payne, music junior, asked O’Keefe about the Forever LSU fundraising campaign and the plans to renovate the Union Theater. O’Keefe responded that donations have been good and praised recent state funding. He also expressed support for renovation of the Union Theater. “This is going to get done unless the students vote it down,” O’Keefe said, pointing at the theater. Angel Cutno, art education and ceramics senior, asked O’Keefe about plans to renovate the Engineering Shops Building. She cited flaws of the building including its lack of wireless Internet access. O’Keefe said problems included limited funding and finding another location for students during renovations. Despite these problems he said the building’s renovation was “among the highest priorities.” Holden Wright, SG director of student services and civil engineering junior, asked O’Keefe about the long-term ramifications of closing off the University’s streets. Jai Jung, biological sciences freshman, also had questions about issues arising from the pedestrian-only campus. O’Keefe said closing campus streets would lead to less vehicle congestion, allowing campus transit buses to run more smoothly and creating a better environment for pedestrians. “[The traffic] is out of control,” O’Keefe said. “Let’s make this a more pedestrian-friendly campus.” Venancio Goulart, international trade and finance senior from Brazil, asked O’Keefe about initiatives to improve the international studies program. O’Keefe said the administration is open to any ideas to expand the international program. He also said the University currently works on offering international students lower-cost health insurance, because insurance is a requirement for students in the program. Elizabeth Lissy, chemistry freshman, asked O’Keefe if there was any promotion of undergraduate research. O’Keefe said the Honors College currently works to expand its research opportunities in a variety of fields. He said the University hopes to use the Honors College expansion as a launching point to increase undergraduate research throughout the University.
—–Contact Daniel McBride at [email protected]