August 2018 Board Action

Today the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System met in Baton Rouge for its regular Board meeting. Click here to view the meeting’s archived video stream. 

SALTER SWORN IN AS BOARD MEMBER

Joe Salter was sworn in today as a member of the Board of the Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. Salter represents the fourth congressional district.

“I would like to thank Governor John Bel Edwards for awarding me the opportunity to serve,” Joe Salter said. “I recognize the importance of education and training beyond the high school level. I don’t profess to know all the answers, but I look forward to learning alongside all of you and doing what I can to help further the cause of education.”

Salter served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for more than 20 years including four years as speaker of the house. A two-time education graduate of Northwestern State University, his longstanding commitment to education is evident from his days as Florien High School principal, a Sabine Parish school administrator, and, most recently, director of governmental affairs for the Louisiana State Department of Education.

He will serve on the Academic and Student Affairs, Grievance and Legislation Committees.

GRAMBLING STUDENT AND ONLINE SENSATION JORDAN TAYLOR HONORED

Jordan Taylor, the Rouses Supermarket employee who garnered national attention after performing a selfless act for a 17-year-old stranger with autism, was honored by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System after enrolling at Grambling State University. Taylor joined the meeting via Skype to be recognized by the Board.

“It is very exciting for me to be back in class and learning,” Taylor said. “Grambling has really shown me that everyone can be someone. Everyone has gone out of their way to help me with everything they can.”

Chairman Alejandro “Al” Perkins and President Jim Henderson presented a resolution in Taylor’s honor. Jordan’s mother, Teresa Taylor, accepted the resolution on Jordan’s behalf. 

“Jordan is an extraordinary addition to our System. He is a reflection of the kind of outstanding people we are attracting,” Perkins said. “We are very proud to have him as a Grambling State Tiger.”

Jordan is majoring in math education and hopes to become a teacher. 

HONORING JOHNNY MCFERREN

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System honored deceased board member Johnny McFerren for his commitment to the Board and to Louisiana. Long time friend Jeremy Evans accepted the resolution on behalf of the McFerren family. Click here to read the resolution in its entirety.  

UL SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATE IN GEAR UP

Representatives from the Louisiana Office of Student and Financial Assistance touted recent successes of the LA GEAR UP initiative. The initiative increases the number of low-income students who are prepared to succeed in post-secondary education by partnering institutions of higher learning with high-poverty middle and high schools. Through innovative programming and camps, on and off campus, students are exposed to faculty and students and the overall university community. 

“We must start early with our young people to show them the possibilities that open up with a college education,” LOSFA Executive Director Sujuan Boutte said. “This program allows us to prepare students for the incredible opportunities the UL System has to offer.”

LOSFA representatives commended Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, and Northwestern State University for hosting summer enrichment programs in partnership with LA GEAR UP.

PRESIDENTS RETREAT

 

 

The presidents of the Universities of Louisiana met in Baton Rouge earlier this month for a retreat to discuss the System’s trajectory for the next decade. Conversations centered on expanding the six aspirations set forth in the Strategic Framework produced last year and improving Louisiana’s educational attainment.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The University of Louisiana System Management & Leadership Institute announced its second class of participants earlier this month. More information about the program including participants’ biographies can be found here

 

BOARD ACTION:

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a Letter of Intent to develop a New Academic Program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of a Letter of Intent to Develop a New Academic Program leading to a Master of Science in Athletic Training.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a Post Baccalaureate Certificate for Practitioner Teacher Program Alternate Path to Teacher Certification in Elementary Education.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a Post Baccalaureate Certificate for Practitioner Teacher Program Alternate Path to Teacher Certification in Secondary Education.
University of New Orleans: approval of a Letter of Intent to develop a New Academic Program leading to a Professional Pilot Bachelor of Science.
University of New Orleans: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Xavier University of New Orleans.
University of New Orleans: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
University of Louisiana System: approval of System Universities’ 2018-19 Promotions in Faculty Rank and Recommendations for Tenure.
University of Louisiana System: approval of Proposed Revision to Policy and Procedures Memorandum S-II.XXIII.-1 Hazing.

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
Grambling State University: approval of a revised Athletic Home Game Complimentary Ticket Policy.
Louisiana Tech University: approval of a revised Complimentary Athletic Ticket Policy.
Northwestern State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Bobby Barbier, Head Baseball Coach, effective July 1, 2018.
Northwestern State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Donald Pickett, Head Softball Coach, effective July 1, 2018.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Tim Donnelly, Assistant Men’s Baseball Coach, effective July 1, 2018.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Benjamin Gipson, Associate Men’s Baseball Coach, effective July 1, 2018.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. William Narro, Head Golf Coach, effective July 2, 2018.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a contract with Mr. Jacob Carlson, Assistant Baseball Coach, effective July 16, 2018.
University of New Orleans: approval of a contractual amendment with Mr. Derek Morel, Athletic Director, effective July 1, 2018.

FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to name the Bloomberg Lab in the College of Business Building the “John and Francelle Regan Bloomberg Lab.”
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to demolish the Bus Maintenance Shop building as a part of its new campus housing project.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to demolish the ULM L-Club House located at 4407 Bon Aire Drive on the campus of the University.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to demolish the ULM Golf Facility located at 4503 Bon Aire Drive on the campus of the University.
University of New Orleans: approval to lease the 4th floor of the University of New Orleans’ Center for Energy Resource Management (CERM) Building located on UNO’s Research and Technology Park at 2045 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans, Louisiana to the State of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
University of Louisiana System: approval of the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Capital Outlay Budget Request and Institutions’ Five-Year Capital Outlay Plans.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
McNeese State University: request for approval of a revised Internal Audit Charter.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: request for approval of a Student Referendum to add a Student Spirit and Athletic Enhancement Fee of $10 per credit hour.
University of Louisiana System: request for acceptance of Fiscal Year 2017-18 Financial and Compliance and Federal Award Programs Representation Letters (a) Grambling State University, (b) Louisiana Tech University, (c) McNeese State University, (d) Northwestern State University, (e) Southeastern Louisiana University, (f) University of Louisiana at Lafayette, (g) University of Louisiana at Monroe, (h) University of New Orleans, and (i) University of Louisiana System.
University of Louisiana System: request for approval of Fiscal Year 2018-19 Operating Budgets, including organizational charts, undergraduate/graduate mandatory attendance fees, scholarships, and System Shared Costs.
University of Louisiana System: report on internal and external audit activity for the period of June 18 to August 19, 2018.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
McNeese State University: approval to appoint Dr. Christopher J. Thomas as Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students effective July 1, 2018.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to appoint Dr. Elward Kendall Alford as Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences effective July 2, 2018.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to appoint Dr. Michael Camille as Vice President for Information Services and Student Success effective September 1, 2018.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a title change for Dr. William Graves from Chief Business Officer to Vice President for Business Affairs effective September 1, 2018.