AUGUST 2025 BOARD ACTION

Published on under 2025 / Board Action

View a recording of today’s meeting here.

UL SYSTEM BOARD HONORS THE LEGACY OF SUPERVISOR JOE SALTER AT BATON ROUGE MEETING 

 

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System convened today in Baton Rouge, beginning its meeting with a moment of remembrance for longtime public servant and Supervisor Joe R. Salter, who passed away earlier this month. 

Salter, a former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, was known as a champion for education throughout his career. At the Board’s Special Meeting in July, members paused the proceedings to recognize his decades of service and presented a proclamation from Governor Jeff Landry honoring Salter’s dedication to Louisiana and to the students of the University of Louisiana System. Salter, who was in attendance at that meeting, received the recognition directly from his colleagues. 

“Supervisor Salter’s leadership and advocacy for education leave a lasting impact on our state,” said UL System President Dr. Rick Gallot. “His legacy is one of service and commitment, and we are grateful for his contributions to this System and to Louisiana.” 

 

Academic Affairs Highlights 

Provosts from across the System presented updates on new academic programs for the 2025–2026 academic year, showcasing bold initiatives that will expand opportunities for students and strengthen Louisiana’s talent development. 

  • Grambling State University is preparing to launch a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, advancing healthcare education in the region. 
  • Louisiana Tech University highlighted several new academic offerings, including a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. 
  • Northwestern State University reported the addition of both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Health Administration to meet growing demands in business and healthcare leadership. 
  • Southeastern Louisiana University shared progress on a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Business and Technology, programs that blend creativity and applied skills. 
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette is developing a Master of Interior Design and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling, deepening academic pathways in design and mental health. 
  • University of Louisiana at Monroe provided updates on a Master of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Arts in Human Resources, the latter previously approved by the UL System Board of Supervisors. 

In addition to these program updates, the Board took action on several items, including approval of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Master of Science in Biomedical Science, the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s collaborative program with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, a revision to a Board bylaw governing new degree program requests, promotions in faculty rank and recommendations for tenure, and the 2025–28 Academic Planning Documents. 

Capital Outlay Meetings Scheduled Across Campuses 

The Board also announced upcoming capital outlay meetings at each UL System institution, providing an opportunity for campus communities to review and discuss proposed projects. The schedule is as follows: 

    • September 10 – University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 10:00 a.m. 
    • September 29 – Southeastern Louisiana University, 8:30 a.m. 
    • September 29 – University of New Orleans, 1:00 p.m. 
    • October 2 – University of Louisiana at Monroe, 10:00 a.m. 
    • October 6 – Louisiana Tech University, 10:00 a.m. 
    • October 6 – Grambling State University, 1:30 p.m. 
    • October 7 – Northwestern State University, 9:00 a.m. 
    • October 13 – Nicholls State University, 9:30 a.m. 

BOARD ACTIONS

Approved Minutes of June 26, 2025 Regular and July 30, 2025 Special Board Meetings.

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to offer a Master of Science in Biomedical Science. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to establish a collaborative academic program with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). 

University of Louisiana System: proposed revision to Board Bylaw Chapter I. Academics, Section V. New Degree Program Requests. 

University of Louisiana System: approval of System Universities’ 2025-26 Promotions in Faculty Rank and Recommendations for Tenure. 

Approved of AY 2025-28 Academic Planning Documents 

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE 

Grambling State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Patrick Crarey II, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, effective April 11, 2025. 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of contractual agreements between various Assistant Track & Field Coaches, Louisiana Tech University, and Louisiana Tech University Foundation. 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of contractual agreements between various Assistant Baseball Coaches, Louisiana Tech University, and Louisiana Tech University Foundation. 

Nicholls State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Tevon Saddler, Men’s Basketball Coach, effective August 5, 2025. 

Northwestern State University: approval of a contract amendment with Mr. Christopher Bertrand, Head Baseball Coach, effective June 18, 2025. 

Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Lawrence Allan, Head Golf Coach, effective July 1, 2025. 

Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of contractual agreements between various Assistant Coaches, the University, and the Lion Athletics Association. 

University of New Orleans: approval of a contract with Mr. Benjamin Andrew Gipson, Head Men’s Baseball Coach, effective July 1, 2025. 

University of New Orleans: approval of an amended contract with Mr. Burzis Kanga, Head Tennis Coach, effective July 1, 2025. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE 

University of Louisiana System: approval of the Board Operations and University of Louisiana System institutions’ Annual Internal Audit Plans for Fiscal Year 2025-26. 

University of Louisiana System: reported on internal and external audit activity for the period of June 7, 2025 through August 7, 2025. 

FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE 

McNeese State University: request to provide naming rights according to a gift agreement with The Townsley Law Firm and McNeese State University Foundation, and authorize President Rousse to approve the final version of the terms. 

Nicholls State University: approval to enter into a Ground Lease with the Nicholls State University Foundation in order that the Foundation may complete exterior renovations at the Didier Baseball Complex. 

Nicholls State University: approval to enter into a Ground Lease with the Nicholls State University Foundation for interior renovations in the Century Room located in the John L. Guidry Stadium, as authorized by La. R.S. 17:3361. 

Northwestern State University: approval to enter into a Ground and Facility Lease with the Demons Unlimited Foundation in order that the Foundation may complete the addition of foul poles to NSU Softball Lady Demon Diamond. 

Northwestern State University: approval to enter into a Ground and Facility Lease with the Demons Unlimited Foundation in order that the Foundation may complete the replacement of the scoreboard at Lady Demon Diamond. 

Northwestern State University: approval to enter into a Ground and Facility Lease with the Demons Unlimited Foundation in order that the Foundation may complete the replacement of the scoreboard at Walter Ledet Field and Track Complex. 

Northwestern State University: approval to name a room in the Sylvan Friedman Student Union the “Dean Leonard O. Nichols Blue Key Honor Society Room.” 

Northwestern State University: approval to name the Percussion Studio in the New Fine Arts Building the “Kenneth H. Green Percussion Studio.” 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to name the Pecan Island School Lodge the “Peter M. John and David M. John Wildlife and Coastal Preservation Center.” 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to accept the donation of immovable property located at 210 East St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana, from Ragin’ Cajun Facilities, Inc. 

University of Louisiana System: approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Outlay Budget Request and Institutions’ Five-Year Capital Outlay Plans. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Grambling State University: request for initial approval from the Board to seek an HBCU Capital Financing Loan up to the amount of $75 million to construct campus facilities. 

McNeese State University: approval to assess a $2,500 program fee for the McNeese PRIME Program. 

Nicholls State University: approval to establish The Betty Escalante Memorial First Generation Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship for STEM Student. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a revenue-generating agreement for comprehensive multi-media rights and sports marketing with Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment, LLC. 

University of New Orleans: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with The 18th Ward, a nonprofit organization, to provide youth sports programming and facility support on the UNO campus. 

University of Louisiana System: approval of Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operating Budgets, including organizational charts, undergraduate/graduate mandatory attendance fees, and scholarships. 

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 

Grambling State University: approval to appoint Dr. Kenyatta Shamburger as Chief Operating Officer effective July 28, 2025. 

Grambling State University: approval to appoint Dr. Kala Burrell-Craft as Dean of the College of Education effective July 1, 2025. 

Grambling State University: approval to appoint Ms. Penya Moses as Vice President of Administration and Business Affairs effective June 1, 2025. 

Louisiana Tech University: approval to appoint Dr. Sheryl Shoemaker as Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness effective July 14, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to appoint Dr. Gina Craft as Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy effective August 1, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to appoint Mr. Bryant Vincent as Interim Athletic Director and Head Football Coach effective August 5, 2025. 

SYSTEM PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS 

Approval for Personnel Actions and Summer Pay Schedules 

University of Louisiana System: proposed revision to Board Bylaw, Section XII. Board Self-Evaluation.