COMMITTEE APPROVES LOWEST FEE INCREASE IN A DECADE

In a special meeting of the Executive Committee, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System approved fee changes for its nine universities. The average increase of less than three percent is the lowest fee increase in a decade for the more than 90,000 students served by the state’s largest system of higher education.

“With the budget stability afforded to us by the legislature and our governor, in addition to the full funding of TOPS, our universities were able to minimize cost increases on our students,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “We will continue to work with our state’s leadership to obtain a stable and significant investment in higher education.”

Two universities, Grambling State University and the University of New Orleans, are not implementing any fee increases. The remaining seven universities’ increases range from $98 to $212.

Louisiana ranks last among its peers in the Southern Regional Education Board in total resources per student.  Universities in Louisiana operate with $12,125 per student, while competitors in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas provide $17,563, $17,510 and $15,370 per student respectively.

“The disparity puts Louisiana universities at a disadvantage in the recruitment and retention of faculty, especially at our research institutions,” Henderson said.

Louisiana ranks seventh among its 16 peers in the SREB in total tuition and fees, and 15th in direct state support for colleges and universities on a per student basis. 

“Higher education has evolved into a competitive enterprise,” Henderson said. “While any increase in cost is significant to students, the average increase of $108 will provide valuable services in the classroom. Now, we must aggressively pursue a state policy environment and institutional cultures that ensure our universities are able to maximize the value received by our students.”  

Changes only apply to fees, tuition costs remain stable across the System. The Executive Committee met to consider time-sensitive agenda items after a scheduled Board meeting was cancelled due to Tropical Storm Cindy. 

OTHER COMMITTEE ACTION
(These items will be ratified at the regular Board meeting in August.)

Academic and Student Affairs Committee
Grambling: approval of proposed changes to the organizational structure of the academic affairs unit. 
Grambling: approval of a Proposal for a Bachelor of General Studies.
Grambling: approval of a Proposal for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 
McNeese: approval of a Memorandum of Agreement among the University, ELS Educational Services, Inc., and Kindai University (Japan).
McNeese: approval of a Cooperative Agreement with Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance. 
Nicholls: approval of a Letter of Intent for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Supervision.
Northwestern: approval of a Proposal for a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Post Master’s Certificate. 
UL Lafayette: approval of a Letter of Intent to establish a Ph.D. degree program in Earth and Energy Sciences. 
UL Lafayette: approval of a Letter of Intent to establish a Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry. 
UL Monroe: approval of a Proposal for a Bachelor of Science degree program in Chemistry. 
UL Monroe: approval of a Letter of Intent for a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. 
UL Monroe: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Mississippi College.

Athletic Committee
Grambling: approval of a contract with Mr. Donte Jackson, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
LA Tech: approval of a contract with Mr. Thomas Lane Burroughs, Head Baseball Coach, effective June 20, 2017.
McNeese: approval of a contract with Ms. Helena Besovic, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, effective July 1, 2017. 
McNeese: approval of a contract with Mr. Andrew O. Fitzgerald, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
McNeese: approval of a contract with Ms. Ashleigh M. Fitzgerald, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
McNeese: approval of a contract with Mr. Brendon J. Gilroy, Head Men’s/Women’s Track Coack, effective July 1, 2017. 
McNeese: approval of a contract with Mr. Justin W. Hill, Head Basbeall Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
McNeese: approval of a contract with Mr. Andrew A. Burk, Jr., Head Men’s Golf Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
McNeese: approval of a contract with Mr. Michael E. Fluty, Head Women’s Golf Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
Southeastern: approval of a contract with Mr. Jason Hayes, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, effective June 1, 2017.
UL Monroe: approval of a contract with Mr. Tim Baldwin, Head Golf Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
UNO: approval of a contract with Mr. Mark Slessinger, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, effective July 1, 2017.
UNO: approval of a contract with Ms. Keeshawn Davenport, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective July 1, 2017.

Facilities Planning Committee
LA Tech: approval to exchange propoerty with Brister Baptist Church located in Arkansas.
McNeese: approval to name a section of the Quadrangle the “Dr. Robert D. Hebert Plaza.”
Nicholls: approval to enter into a Ground Lease Agreement with the Nicholls State University Foundation for the installation of artificial turf at the Raymond Didier Baseball Field Complex. 
Nicholls: approval to name the infied at Ray Didier Baseball Field the “Ben Meyer Diamond.”
Nicholls: approval to enter into a Ground Lease Agreement with the Nicholls State University Foundation for installation of a new scoreboard at John L. Guidry Stadium.
Nicholls: approval to accept the donation of .98+ acres of land from Acadia Agricultural Holdings, LLC. 
Northwestern: approval to enter into a execute a Lease Agreement withe National Park Service, or its parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or other related company, for 14,712 square feet of usable space of Nelson Hall, the “Women’s Old Gymnasium.”
Southeastern: approval of a quitclaim deed transfer from Davis Companies-SELU, LLC, a Florida limited liability company. 
Southeastern: approval to name the nursing simulation lab in the Kinesiology and Health Studies Annex the “John and Beverly Manzella Simulation Lab.”
UL Lafayette: approval to name the Student Athlete Performance Center the “Donald and Janice Mosing Student Athlete Performance Center.” 
UL Lafayette: approval to name the Welcome Center at Cade Farm the “Dr. Thomas J. Arceneaux Welcome Center.”
UL Lafayette: approval to enter into a Ground Lease/Lease Back Agreement with Ragin’ Cajun Facilities, Ic. to renovate and expand FG Mouton Hall to include the creation of the Maraist Financial Services Laboratory.
UL Lafayette: approval to name the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration Financial Services Lab the “Maraist Financial Services Laboratory.”
UNO: approval to rename the limited area of green space and water feature between the Amphitheater and the Earl K. Long Library “The Robert W. Merrick/Latter & Blum Patio.”

Finance Committee
LA Tech: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Louisiana Delta Community College for Sharing Faculty/Staff Development Opportunites.
LA Tech: approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Cyber Innovation Center, Inc.
UL Lafayette: approval to reclassify the American Legion Hospital/BORSF Professorship in Health Care Administration to the American Legion Hospital/BORSF Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship in MBA Program-Health Care Administration.
UL Lafayette: approval to reclassify the Dudley M. Romero/BORSF Professorship in Health Care Administration to the Dudley M. Romero/BORSF Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship in MBA Program-Health Care Administration.
UL Monroe: approval of a contract with Academic Partnerships, LLC.
UL Monroe: approval to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of Monroe.
UNO: approval to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Nanostar, Inc.
UL System: approval to approve fees pursuant to House Bill 152 of the 2015 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.
UL System: approval of System Universities’ Fiscal Year 2017-18 Internal Audit Plans.

Personnel Committee
Grambling: approval to appoint Dr. Andolyn Harrison as Interim Dean of the Colleg of Educational and Graduate Studies and Professor effective July 1, 2017.
Grambling: approval to appoint Dr. Carolyn Hester as Interim Dean of the College of Professional Studies, Associate Dean of Social Work, and Assistant Professor effective July 1, 2017. 
Grambling: approval to appoint Dr. Stacey Duhon as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences effective July 1, 2017.
McNeese: approval to appoint Dr. Cecil M. Adrian as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs effective July 1, 2017.
Northwestern:  approval to appoint Ms. Frances Conine as Interim Vice President for the Student Experience and Dean of Students effective July 3, 2017.
Northwestern: approval to appoint Dr. Maragaret Kilcoyne as Dean of the College of Business and Technology effective July 1, 2017.
Northwestern: approval to appoint Dr. Greg handel as Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts effective July 1, 2017.