Published on February 27, 2025

UL System Board of Supervisors Approves Key Initiatives at February Meeting

Baton Rouge, LA – The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System met on February 27, 2025, to approve key academic programs, financial measures, and personnel appointments across its nine member institutions.

The meeting opened with the oath of office for Dr. John Noble, Jr., who was reappointed to the Board by Governor Jeff Landry in January.

Key academic actions included the approval of McNeese State University’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, new degree programs at Nicholls State and UL Lafayette, and honorary doctorates for distinguished individuals at Northwestern State and UL Lafayette. The Board also approved multiple endowed scholarships, professorships, and endowed chairs to expand student and faculty support.

In response to Act 790 (2024), the Board formed a Special Committee on Tuition and Fees to review proposals for tuition and fee adjustments and authorized the committee to act on behalf of the Board. The committee will evaluate campus-specific plans to ensure compliance and alignment with student support initiatives, particularly for high-cost academic programs.

The Athletic Committee approved coaching contracts and amendments across several institutions, while the Facilities Committee granted naming approvals for campus facilities, including the Gaubert Oil Practice Facility at Nicholls and the Raymond Heard Tennis Stadium at the Dwight D. Vines Tennis Complex at UL Monroe.

Additionally, the Board approved key personnel appointments, including new deans at Nicholls, Southeastern, and UNO.

Media Contact:

Katie Dawson, AVP for Academic Innovation & Learning, UL System Spokesperson (katie.dawson@ulsystem.edu)

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BOARD ACTIONS

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 

McNeese State University: approval of a Five-Year Strategic Plan for 2024-29 and revised Vision, Mission, Core Values and Organizational Statements. 

McNeese State University: approval to convert the existing Master of Arts in Psychology to a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. 

Nicholls State University: approval to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. 

Nicholls State University: approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. 

Northwestern State University: revalidation of the University’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values Statements. 

Northwestern State University: approval to award an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities to Mr. Jerry Adkins “Jaf” Fielder, II at the Spring 2025 Commencement Exercises. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to award an Honorary Doctorate of Arts to Mr. Richard “Dickey” Landry at the Spring 2025 Commencement Exercises. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Recording Arts. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to offer a Doctor of Philosophy in Allied Computing and Information Sciences. 

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. Scott Mattera, Head Coach for Women’s Volleyball, effective December 18, 2024. 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of the contractual agreement between Ms. Abby Pollart, Assistant Volleyball Coach, Louisiana Tech University, and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective January 17, 2025. 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contractual amendment with Mr. Brian Johnson, Director of Men’s and Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country, effective January 9, 2025. 

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

McNeese State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Bernard “Matt” Viator, Head Football Coach, effective December 2, 2024. 

Nicholls State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Thomas Rybacki, Head Football Coach, effective January 6, 2025. 

Northwestern State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Benjamin Kaszeta, Head Coach for Women’s Volleyball, effective January 20, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of a First Restated and Amended Contract for Employment with Mr. Michael Desormeaux, Head Football Coach, effective July 2, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of a contract with Mr. Thomas Sevel, Head Men’s Tennis Coach, effective February 27, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of contracts of employment and amendments with various coaches, effective February 27, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of amendments to the contract for Mr. Bryant Vincent, Head Football Coach, effective January 1, 2025. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE 

Nicholls State University: approval of an amended Annual Internal Audit Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-25. 

University of Louisiana System: reported on internal and external audit activity for the period of November 15, 2024 to February 16, 2025. 

FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE 

Nicholls State University: approval to name the covered practice facility the “Gaubert Oil Practice Facility at Shaw Sports Turf/Manning Field.” 

Northwestern State University: approval to name the Choral Rehearsal Room in the New Fine Arts Building the “Dr. Burt Allen Choral Rehearsal Room.” 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: authorization to enter into an Act of Donation for the acquisition of land and buildings from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to name the following: the “Richard Daniel & Larry Ann Hereford Classroom,” “Hancock Whitney Premium Pavilion,” and “James & Ruth Moncus Premium Entry.” 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to rename the Raymond Heard Tennis Stadium to “Raymond Heard Tennis Stadium at the Dwight D. Vines Tennis Complex.” 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Grambling State University: approval to extend the existing partnership with Southern University to continue the Bayou Classic through 2028. 

Nicholls State University: approval to assess a tuition rate of $375 per credit hour for its undergraduate and $475 per credit hour for its graduate online programs as allowed by Act 426 of the 2013 Regular Session.   

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to adjust current student self-assessed fees. 

University of Louisiana System: approval to establish LEQSF (8g) Endowed Professorships, Endowed First Generation Scholarships, Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarships, and Endowed Chairs as follows: 

Louisiana Tech University 

• Doreen and Eric Griffith Endowed Professorship for the College of  Engineering and Science, Mechanical Engineering
• Doreen and Eric Griffith Endowed Professorship for the College of Business, School of Accountancy

McNeese State University 

• Bessie Jean Ruley and Desmond Kearns Professorship

Northwestern State University 

• Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Dr. Jack Russell Endowed Professorship
• Anne Barry Graves Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarship in Biological Sciences

Southeastern Louisiana University 

• Joey Gautier Memorial Scholarship
• Gaylord M. Bickham First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• John Manzella First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• Dr. Mike Budden Endowed Professorship in Business
• Joyce Junghans College of Business Endowed Professorship

University of Louisiana at Lafayette 

• Dr. Charles Perniciaro/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Biology
• Dr. Anne Bienvenu Broussard/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Nursing
• Juno and Alice Guedry/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Mechanical Engineering–HVAC Focus
• Duhon Family/BORSF Endowed Chair in Librarianship
• Rosemary Saucier Laborde/BORSF Endowed Chair in the College of Nursing
• McElligott/BORSF Endowed Eminent Scholar Chair for the Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

University of Louisiana at Monroe 

• ULM Endowed Professorship in Health Sciences
• Louis J. St. Amant Endowed Professorship in Rehabilitative Sciences
• William F. Sherman First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• R.D. Farr First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• Deanie Baker Endowed Professorship of Distinction
• Lyn and James Moore Jr. Endowed Professorship of Distinction
• Marjorie S. Price Endowed Professorship in Physical Therapy

University of New Orleans 

• Jim and Marisol Tucker 2020 Endowed First Generation Scholarship
• UNO International Alumni Association 2023 First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• UNO International Alumni Association 2024 First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• UNO International Alumni Association 2024-2 First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• UNO International Alumni Association 2024-3 First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• UNO International Alumni Association 2024-4 First Generation Endowed Scholarship
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship VIII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship IX
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship X
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XI
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XIII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XIV
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XV
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XVI
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XVII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XVIII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XIX
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XX
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXI
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXIII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXIV
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXV
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXVI
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXVII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXVIII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXIX
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXX
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXXI
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXXII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXXIII
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXXIV
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXXV
• Twenty-First Century Endowed First Generation Scholarship XXXVI

University of Louisiana System: approves a contract for professional legal services with DeCuir, Clark & Adams, L.L.P. 

University of Louisiana System: approval of payments made by nonprofit organizations to employees of the University of Louisiana System during Fiscal Year 2024 in accordance with provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute (R.S.) 17:3390(F). 

University of Louisiana System:  Authorization to allow Special Committee on Tuition and Fees to establish high cost program differential tuition and to increase student fees in accordance with Act 790 of 2024 and to have the Special Committee on Tuition and Fees review individual campus plans to ensure that the plans are in compliance with the Act prior to implementation of increases.   

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 

Nicholls State University: approval to appoint Dr. Kimberly Reynolds as Interim Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences effective January 23, 2025. 

Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to appoint Dr. Jeffrey Wright as Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences effective January 2, 2025. 

University of New Orleans: approval to appoint Dr. Steven Johnson as Interim Dean of the College of Sciences and the Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering effective January 1, 2025. 

University of New Orleans: approval to appoint Dr. Randy Kearns as Interim Dean of the Henry L. Bernstein College of Business Administration and the College of Liberal Arts and Education effective January 2, 2025.