Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal is drawing on the experience of University faculty and employing campus facilities in the development of his transition team.
Jindal chose the Paul M. Hebert Law Center’s vice chancellor of academic affairs to advise him in selecting an executive counsel. Cheney Joseph Jr., served as former Gov. Mike Foste’s executive counsel from 1996 to 2000.
Joseph will be conveniently near Jindal, and his transition team as their office is on campus on the 12th floor of the former student dormitory, Kirby-Smith Hall.
The executive counsel acts as the governor’s top legal adviser and lawyer. Joseph said he would provide advice “regarding the structure of the office and the nature of the individual they may want to take the position.”
Joseph said while he was with Foster, he worked closely with general matters of litigation that affected the state. He said his role was to provide the governor with legal options.
“Obviously, the governor needs advice sometimes,” Joseph said.
Joseph served as executive counsel while Jindal was secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals. Joseph said the two have kept in touch, but he has not been involved in any of Jindal’s congressional activities.
Jindal’s gubernatorial transition team moved into Kirby-Smith Hall this month but will be out by January.
Chuck Wilson, vice provost of the Office of Academic Affairs, said the University did modest renovations of the space, including installing carpet, painting and fixing up bathrooms. Wilson said the University has a history of housing the governor’s transition team that goes back to former Gov. Edwin Edwards.
“It’s near the state Capitol,” Wilson said. “It’s one of the few places that has a large number of people and support personnel. It’s only that we’re big enough that we can offer the support they need.”
This past year, the University decided to take Kirby-Smith Hall off-line as a residential dorm. The building was designed as a conventional two suite, one bathroom model. Wilson said the University began the process of renovation to offer faculty more space and expand class offerings.
“Space on the Baton Rouge campus at LSU is very precious,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the rest of Kirby-Smith Hall will probably be used to temporarily house faculty and staff offices while other buildings are under renovation. He said the building has been removed from the Residential Life list and probably will never be used as a student dorm again.
Kirby-Smith Hall is closed to the public and is under state police security measures as the police are responsible for the safety of both the governor and the governor-elect.
“It’s still a building that belongs to LSU, but police have taken over the security part of it,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the transition team will pay for its use of the building and all accompanying services, but the University will not profit from the team’s occupancy.
—-Contact Emily Holden at [email protected]