FROM STAFF REPORTS

The LSU Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Friday to extend LSU System President John Lombardi’s contract by two years, citing his leadership in tough economic times that included unprecedented state budget cuts.

“He recognizes the challenging budgetary environment we’re in,” said LSU Board Chairman R. Blake Chatelain in proposing to extend Lombardi’s contract. “We think this is the right thing to do. The board is complimentary of Dr. Lombardi’s leadership in these very difficult times as and encourages him to work with our chancellors, the higher education commissioner, and our governor’s administration as we work through equally troubling times in the years ahead.”

Lombardi, 67, became head of the $3.5 billion, 11-institution LSU System in July 2007. The contract extension follows an informal performance review of Lombardi’s tenure by the board.

Under the extension approved by the 16-member board at its meeting in Baton Rouge, Lombardi’s annual $601,000 package of salary and benefits remains unchanged. Instead of expiring in January 1, 2011, however, the contract will now run through January 1, 2013.

Earlier this year, Lombardi guided the System that includes five academic campuses, two health sciences centers, a law school, an agricultural center and a nationally-recognized biomedical research center through $52 million in cuts brought on by plunging state revenues.

Lombardi told the board discussions that he described as “intense conversations” are already underway among Louisiana higher education leaders in the face of a new round of cutbacks that could trim another $146 million from colleges and universities statewide in the next fiscal year that begins in July.

“The conversation is largely focused on what to do to save sufficient money to try to make the budget whole in the coming year,” he said.