Two weeks ago, LSU System President William Jenkins announced he was stepping down from his position to take on the lesser role of Chancellor Emeritus. At first, it seemed just a benign announcement of yet another one of Louisiana’s best leaders growing tired and heading for greener pastures, but it now reads as a more sinister tale in the storied history of Louisiana politics.
“What got me into it initially was the information that I received that President Jenkins was leaving the presidency of LSU,” said Sen. Robert Barham in a phone interview. “It came at a terrible time for LSU and the state. That part of it is a done deal. He’s made his announcement.”
Since being appointed Dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988, Jenkins has shined and been steadily promoted. He served a short term as LSU chancellor before being promoted to System president, a position he has held for the past six years. During his tenure at LSU, the South African native has gained universal respect.
“He’s been an exceptional representative for LSU and higher education in general,” Barham said. “You need people like that who are universally respected and liked to point out the needs for funding in higher education. It will hurt us not to have President Jenkins in the lead role.”
Within a day of his announced resignation, a small group of members of the LSU Board of Supervisors had named a streamlined search committee. The naming of the search committee was led by Board Chairman Bernie Boudreaux and didn’t require approval by the whole board. The search committee is also not subject to board oversight. Not one member of the faculty from the main campus was named to the committee.
“In 24 hours, they named the search committee,” Barham said. “That pretty much confirms to me that they knew he was leaving. That made me more uneasy.”‘
None of the potential motives for pushing Jenkins out of office are honorable or good for LSU. In recent days, the most talked-about motive is a combination of nepotism and cronyism. By all reports, the leading candidate to replace Jenkins is University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen. Her “special” relationship with Board Chairman Boudreaux is now well known. She is also a long-time ally and friend of Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Clausen has declined requests from senators to remove her name from consideration in interest of preserving the integrity of the search.
“The appearance would be bad for her reputation, the University and for the state,” Barham said. “In Louisiana, we so desperately need for our image to be improved. It has been, and justifiably so, not what you know but who you know.”
There has been much public talk under the UL graduate Blanco’s administration of removing some of the LSU System satellite campuses and placing them under the control of the UL system. Jenkins has vehemently opposed such moves.
“LSU is the flagship university and is the only institution in the state in the unique position to move forward as the flagship university,” Barham said. “You don’t build a flagship by tearing it down.”
Publicly, Jenkins has been cordial and polite about his resignation. He has been unwilling to talk much to the media about the reasons for his departure, and he has brushed off allegations that he was pushed out of office. Perhaps this is because he fears reprisal if he doesn’t go quietly. Reportedly, two more years of service with the state is vital to his pension. Serving as Chancellor Emeritus for two years will allow him to reach the magical state pension mark of 20 years.
“At this point in his career, he has to protect the security of his wife and family,” Barham said. “His retirement and future depends to a large extent on this security.”
The forced departure of Jenkins has even prompted the unusual interjection of the Baton Rouge mayor into University politics.
“We cannot stand still and be silent anymore when we see things happening in the community that we feel are unjust,” said Mayor Kip Holden at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. “We must stand up with one voice, and say to those who attempt to deplete the resources that have made us great, ‘Enough is enough’.”
Sadly, we are going to lose a powerful resource. Jenkins resignation is a dead issue. It will be extremely difficult to find anyone who matches his stature, ability and character. If we sit idly by and remain silent, Jenkins’ successor will not be selected on the basis of ability and character, but instead in the traditional way of Louisiana politics, cronyism.
 
Jason is a second year law student. Contact him at [email protected]