Mark Emmert … that name evokes a variety of responses from LSU faculty and students alike, but most notably local media. Our chancellor has become the whipping boy of the moment. Much to his frustration, Chancellor Emmert has absorbed an onslaught of misplaced and ill-conceived attacks. The chancellor has genuine intentions and is dedicated to making LSU what it needs to be — a flagship university with high standards and an excellent reputation.
For those who never have spoken with Chancellor Emmert, he is an amiable individual. He speaks with sincerity. He wants to return LSU to a position of prominence in research and academia. He is not all talk, he is executing his vision with a vigor that bespeaks his salary, which has been the primary focus of his detractors.
Approximately one year ago, Emmert spoke with the University of South Carolina concerning employment in that system. He did so due to the dynamics of his circumstance. Emmert was attempting to position LSU for a five to seven year growth plan and was being stifled by the state’s lack of emphasis on academics. It is agreeable for him have sought an opportunity elsewhere if he was inhibited from bringing to fruition the vision he was hired to conceive — and that is exactly what he did. After discussing Louisiana’s focus with Governor Foster and LSU System President William Jenkins, he was convinced their commitments to his vision were sincere and he subsequently ended discussions with South Carolina.
According to Emmert, salary was not part of the discussion. But it is part of the current discourse regarding him, so it needs to be addressed.
When Nick Saban was hired as the LSU football coach, he received the second highest salary in the country. The public lauded Chancellor Emmert for understanding that the best costs the most. The LSU community wanted the best coach, so we paid (almost) the highest. Why can’t that same logic apply to our chancellor? Last time I checked, LSU existed for academics. No question sports are a nice addition, but at the end of the day we are here to learn. Without putting words in their mouths, this is exactly what the Board of Supervisors was thinking when it hired Mark Emmert. It didn’t owe him anything. I am of the mind that if those who work closest with him think he is worth his weight in gold then he is until proven otherwise.
There then arises the position: Maybe he is worth it, but this is too much money too soon. In addition, he is being paid by private funds, which is secretive and a conflict of interests. As for it being too soon, all investments harbor a component of chance. The people responsible for hiring the chancellor have adjudged him to be a good bet and I haven’t seen any reason to think otherwise.
He readily acknowledges that LSU is grossly understaffed and has efforts in motion to hire 100 faculty. His vision includes a significant increase in research productivity, increasing LSU graduate students in both quality and quantity, and more faculty pay increases (in addition to the four increases in as many years). I am forced to ask myself: What would his detractors change? All of these efforts will yield a better reputation for LSU and an advantage to LSU grads trying to get a job or accepted to graduate school.
The perceptions of secrecy and conflict of interests are also fallacious. The Tiger Athletic Foundation, the LSU Foundation and the Alumni Association all pay a portion of his salary. Where is the conflict? These foundations exist for the betterment of LSU, not the other way around. In addition, the Baton Rouge Advocate dreamed up this notion of a “secret deal.” The Advocate requested information, LSU provided it, and the story went to press. If this is a secret deal, then our administration is not very good at keeping a secret.
The bottom line on Chancellor Emmert is that judgment needs to be reserved. There has been no secrecy and almost invariably the best in their field are going to make the most. We should be pleased one of the best has chosen our university in which to invest a portion of his life. Is he going to restore LSU to academic prominence? Who knows, but he is a genuine man and he deserves a chance to deliver on his vision.