The Board of Regents reinstated two of three degree programs in comparative literature and in women’s and gender studies Wednesday, months after their January terminations.
 
The Board’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee revived the comparative literature doctorate program and the bachelor’s program in women’s and gender studies despite previously low graduation rates.
 
The University previously offered a master’s degree in comparative literature, but that program will not be reinstated.
 
The changes will take effect immediately, according to the Board. The programs must submit a progress report on enrollment and completer data by Sept. 1. The departments will seek re-evaluation in 2013.
 
The committee also moved to terminate the University’s Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices. This high-tech research center contained a synchrotron — a particle accelerator found only in eight locations in the nation — and offered students the opportunity to work with and study the newest technology.
 
The Board’s Search Committee also issued an update on the nationwide search for a Commissioner of Higher Education.
 
Following the resignation of Commissioner Sally Clausen, the Board unanimously approved Tom Layzell to fill the position as the interim, but the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget denied the Board’s proposed $329,915 compensation package for Layzell.
 
The legislative committee declared the payment package too costly despite a decrease of $197,635, or 37 percent, from Clausen’s previous salary of $527,550, said Meg Casper, Regents associate commissioner of public affairs.
 
In an Aug. 17 emergency meeting,  the Board decided to move forward without an interim commissioner and instead appointed Board members Artis Terrell, Bob Levy, Roland Toups and Maurice Durbin to manage affairs.
 
The Board hired Layzell one week later to work as a part-time adviser to help oversee budget matters and the implementation of the LA GRAD Act.
 
But with nearly $200,000 being saved, some continue to question the motives behind the legislature’s rejection of Layzell as commissioner of higher education.
 
“It’s possible that there are other factors at work here besides compensation,” said Barry Erwin, president of the Council for a Better Louisiana. “I don’t know, but there could be more bubbling below the surface.”
 
Some agree, however, the need for an interim commissioner is strong.
 
“This is a critical time in higher education — with the GRAD act, performance formula issues to be resolved and more budget cuts on the horizon, you need someone to be the leader, someone to navigate the staff,” Erwin said.
 
The commissioner is required to “execute and enforce all the decisions, orders, rules, and regulations of the Board” and act as an authoritative postsecondary voice, according to the duties and responsibilities of the Commissioner. The official must also have constant interaction with the Board, the state, the public and the postsecondary administration.
 
The search for a permanent member has continued, but a new commissioner could be named by the December Regents meeting at the earliest, said Committee Chair Maurice Durbin.
 
“The Board of Regents will continue to work with the legislature to maximize our ability to attract and hire a qualified candidate for the commissioner of higher education position,” Casper said. “It will take us all working together to achieve a positive outcome.”
 
Qualified candidates for commissioner may hesitate to apply because of the “number of hoops” they must jump through to be hired, Erwin said.
 
Louisiana is one of the few states that requires approval of the candidate and his or her salary, Erwin explained. With the legislative panel’s recent refusal, some officials believe Louisiana has taken a step backward.
 
Chancellor Michael Martin even questioned whether debate over the interim commissioner’s salary was worth the “black eye” it has given to perceptions of higher education in Louisiana.
 
“I am disheartened somewhat by the inclination of a legislative subcommittee to micromanage things,” Martin said.
 
Despite this setback, the Board is moving forward with this year’s agenda.
 
“As would be expected, the lack of a full-time commissioner who identifies and drives both an internal and external agenda limits the scope of work that can be done at Regents and may impact the pace at which transformational change can occur,” Casper said. “However, the Board and staff collectively will ensure that the necessary work of the budget, the GRAD Act, the statewide transfer degree and other numerous legislative mandates are handled efficiently and effectively.”
 
 
 
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Contact Sydni Dunn at [email protected]