The LSU System Board of Supervisors had a busy semester filled with important decisions, including approving the University’s $3.5 billion budget proposal and capital outlay funds through 2015.The operating budget, approved without opposition at the Board’s Aug. 27 meeting, contains $71.1 million in spending cuts for institutions across the state — a 2.8 percent decrease from last year’s budget, according to the resolution included in the meeting’s agenda.The spending plan came with the elimination of 420 vacant positions and 69 layoffs as a result of a 19.1 percent decrease in state funding.John Antolik, assistant vice president and comptroller of the LSU System, mentioned the scaling back the University had to do under the budget restrictions.”LSU cut academic units by 3 percent and non-academic units by 5 percent,” Antolik said at the August meeting.The University’s capital outlay plan – also approved in August – totals $661.5 million and includes a host of projects to renovate buildings as well as build new ones.Three emergency projects were approved, including a campus sewer line replacement and roof replacements on Patrick F. Taylor Hall and the Life Science Complex. New buildings scheduled to be constructed include a $63 million residence hall, a $42 million math and lecture hall and a new parking facility priced at $30 million.Also at the Board’s August meeting, chairman-elect Blake Chatelain was sworn in as chairman, while James Moore became the new chairman-elect after he was nominated without opposition.The Board approved contract changes for several University athletic coaches at its Oct. 9 meeting. Men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson’s contract was extended one year to 2014, and he received two salary increases.Though his base salary of $250,000 per year was unchanged, Johnson will receive a $200,000 longevity bonus should he remain at the University until the expiration of his contact, and his supplemental compensation — paid for media appearances — was increased to $1.05 million per year. Women’s volleyball coach Fran Flory received a two-year contract extension, and pay raises were approved for Brian Lee, soccer head coach; Karen Bahnsen, women’s golf head coach and Tony Minnis, women’s tennis head coach. “All these salary increases come from self-generated funds from the athletic department,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva said in October. “There are no state funds, and we give an enormous amount back to the University.”The Board also approved a two-year contract extension for System President John Lombardi, which had no salary changes attached.
 
 
 
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