Interim business school named
Chancellor Sean O’Keefe named Department of Finance Chair William Lane interim dean of the E. J. Ourso College of Business to replace current Dean Robert Sumichrast, who will step down at the end of the month.
“Professor Lane is an ideal professional to serve the business college’s leadership agenda,” O’Keefe said in a statement. “His is most conversant with the Flagship Agenda and the extraordinary efforts of business alumni to support the new business building. He commands great respect from the faculty and sees the imperative to continue momentum. Interim Dean Lane will hardly be a placeholder. He has my full confidence and appreciation for his exemplary service.”
Lane, who also served as interim dean before Sumichrast’s acceptance of the deanship in 2003, has taught at the University since 1975.
Meanwhile, the search for a permanent dean is underway. Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Brooks Keel will lead the search committee.
New Veterinary School Dean Named
Associate Dean Peter Haynes has been named the dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine pending Board of Supervisors’ approval, according to interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Harold Silverman.
“I believe that Dr. Haynes has demonstrated the abilities and aptitudes needed for this position during his excellent service over the past year as interim dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine,” Silverman said. “He is committed to reinforcing our veterinary medicine teaching program, enhancing our veterinary and biomedical research activities and improving our service to the Baton Rouge community and surrounding region.”
Haynes has served as an associate dean since 1974 and was made interim dean in May 2006 when the previous dean, Michael Groves, announced he was leaving.
According to vet school spokesperson Ginger Guttner, the job had previously been offered to Richard J. Martin, a professor of biological sciences at the Iowa State vet school, but he did not accept the position.
“Easy Streets” set to begin this month
The “Easy Streets” campaign is still under construction. Gary Graham, director of Parking, Traffic and Transportation, said the gates will be working on June 28.
“The goal is to give access to faculty and staff members between June 21 and June 22,” Graham said. “Ten entry gates have been placed on campus. Some of the gates are still under construction.”
The “Easy Streets” campaign will limit traffic on campus Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., to only campus buses, staff, faculty B and C permits and other authorized vehicles, starting June 28.
Graham said there will not be much change except at the end of classes.
System president search committee to meet
The search committee charged by the Board of Supervisors to find a replacement for current LSU System President William Jenkins will meet on Thursday for the first time since their initial meeting in November 2006, according to the Advocate.
The system president search began a year ago when Jenkins, who was named to his post in 1999, announced plans to retire in February 2008. Dallas-based search consultant R. William Funk has handled the majority of the search since the Board of Supervisor’s search committee hired him at their November meeting.
Emergency text system implemented
LSUPD implemented the LSU Emergency Text Messaging System on May 25. The service allows anyone in the University community, including the LSU AgCenter and Paul M. Hebert Law Center, to optionally receive alerts, news or other emergency information via text message on their mobile phones.
Students and faculty can opt into the system by providing their cell phone information on PAWS link under “Campus Community” in the navigation bar. Standard text message fees apply, and vary among cell phone carriers and plans.
UHigh Arson Case Under Investigation
The May 12 fire at the University Lab School gymnasium, which officials believe is the work of an arsonist, is still under investigation. There are no known suspects at this time. LSUPD is currently conducting a joint investigation along with the Baton Rouge Fire Department, State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
The fire took place on a Saturday when school was out, and no injuries were reported. Damage was limited to the gymnasium.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact Crime Stoppers at 344-7867 or LSUPD.
Former dean’s sentance upheld
A federal court upheld former Associate Dean James Welles 15-year prison sentence for child pornography on June 5, according to the Advocate.
Welles was fired from the University in May 2005 after LSUPD arrested him when a student worker found printouts of photos of nude boys in the offices where Welles worked. The FBI later found more than 27,000 images in Welles’ home of children engaged in sexual acts.
The former associate dean for judicial affairs pleaded guilty in June 2005 to one count of transporting child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.
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