Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins held a “Chat with the Chancellor” forum for faculty and staff Wednesday where he discussed faculty salaries, the sole finalist for the combined system president and chancellor positions F. King Alexander and student involvement in the reorganization.
This was the first of two forums. The next will be primarily for students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 in the Live Oak Lounge of the LSU Student Union.
Linda Griffin, associate librarian and head of cataloguing at Middleton Library, said she is concerned with the quality of faculty and staff that are leaving because of the University’s “present situation.”
“[Faculty salaries] have to be a priority. We’re losing top, top people,” Jenkins said. “I wish I could look you in the eye and tell you we have this solved. I can’t, and it weighs heavily on me.”
Despite the crises discussed, Jenkins said Alexander is a “rising star in higher education” with skills that will help the reorganization.
“He’s very comfortable in the political arena, both federally and nationally. He’s very well known for his skills,” he said. “He’s in the right place at the right time. He will know where he needs help, and he will get the right people.”
Film and media arts senior Myasha Hill asked Jenkins if he felt students were aware of the Transition Advisory Team and the reorganization.
“It’s been a strange thing. I wanted students on every subcommittee. Students are not tuned in,” Jenkins said. “I too was a student once. I know there’s so many other things in your world, but this is a huge issue for you.”
Hill said she would like to see students become more interested and suggested liaisons to college councils to give feedback to the students.
“If there are students interested in specific areas, I don’t hesitate. This has to be an inclusive process,” Jenkins said.
African American students at the University comprise 10.6 percent of the school’s population. Griffin said the University is not where it needs to be diversity-wise.
“We shouldn’t be satisfied with the 10 percent. We should always be striving for more,” she said.
Jenkins said 10 percent is not good enough.
“A major university should reflect the demographics of the population,” he said. “For me, that 10 percent was a celebration, but you’re right – it’s not where it needs to be.”
“I too was a student once. I know there’s so many other things in your world, but this is a huge issue for you.”
