View a recording of today’s meeting here.

PETERSON APPOINTED TO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System welcomed Dana Peterson as its newest member. Today marks his first meeting.  

“I’m glad to be a part of the team and look forward to serving,” Peterson said. “I certainly share in the mission and passion of our System and want to extend whatever talent and capacity I have to that effort.” 

Peterson built his career around education policy and advocacy and now manages the College Hill Strategy Group. He was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to represent the 2nd Congressional District. Completing the remainder of past Board Chair James Carter’s vacated term, Peterson’s term will end Dec. 2026. 

UL System attorney Brandon Decuir administered the oath of office.   

NORTHWESTERN STATE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH CONTINUES

 

The Northwestern State Presidential Search Committee will interview six semifinalists next week on Northwestern’s campus. Semifinalists will also meet various constituent groups during campus visits Nov. 1-2, an opportunity for stakeholders to interact with candidates and provide feedback to the Search Committee.

The Search Committee will meet to select finalists Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m. A full schedule of on-campus meetings and interviews can be found here. Candidate introduction videos are available here.

The full Board of Supervisors will convene Nov. 8 to select the next president of Northwestern State. All information regarding the search is posted at ULSystem.edu/nsusearch. 

 

SAVE THE DATE – FOR OUR FUTURE CONFERENCE

 

The For Our Future Conference is returning to an in-person format in 2022. Mark your calendars for Jan. 27 – 28 in Natchitoches. Additional information about the conference including track announcements, a call for proposals, award nominations, and registration details is forthcoming.  

REGINALD F. LEWIS SCHOLARS VISIT NORTHWESTERN

Last week the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars visited Northwestern State University, their first of nine campus visits during the three-year program.   

In addition to enjoying homecoming festivities, Scholars attended a workshop on building and maintaining a personal brand that covered professional behavior and mastering the art of small talk; participated in a service project with the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center; and met with community leaders such as the mayor, police chief, district attorney and local legislators. One of the most inspiring moments was an impromptu meeting with Rep. Ed Larvadain who engaged the scholars on improving campus safety. 

The Scholars will convene again Nov. 26 in New Orleans in conjunction with the Bayou Classic. 

CONTENT EXPERTS HOST WEBINARS

In an effort to expand professional development opportunities to University of Louisiana System faculty and staff, System Content Experts are hosting webinars in their areas of focus.  

The first two this month attracted more than 350 participants. First, Content Expert for Online Teaching & Learning Beth Blankenship co-presented on Trauma Informed Teaching with UNO’s Center for Teaching Innovation Assistant Director Meredith King, and Nicholls’ Program Director for Secondary Science Education Aimee Hollander. Then, Content Expert for Research and Grants Carla Howell  featured a session on the Board of Regents Support Fund.  

Howell is offering her next webinar entitled “Pathways to Grant Success: Harnessing the Power of SPINPlus” Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. Click here to register for the webinar.  

Recordings of past webinars can be found on the UL System YouTube channel in a playlist linked here.  

BOARD ACTION:

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

Nicholls State University: approval to award an Honorary Doctorate of Science to Mr. Windell A. Curole at the Fall 2021 Commencement Exercises.
Northwestern State University: approval to convert the existing Bachelor Science in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to name the School of Nursing the LHC Group • Myers School of Nursing.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to terminate the Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to enter into a Transfer Articulation Agreement with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to offer an Undergraduate Certificate in Professional and Creative Writing.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to award an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Mr. Henry Heier at the Fall 2021 Commencement Exercises.
University of New Orleans: approval to award an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Dr. Jericho Brown at the Fall 2021 Commencement Exercises.
University of New Orleans: approval to name the College of Engineering “The Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering.”

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE

Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. Michael Duffy Conroy, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, between Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective July 1, 2021.
Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. Joshua Taylor, Head Women’s Softball Coach, between Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective June 7, 2021.
Louisiana Tech University: approval of a Revised Athletic Home Game Complimentary Ticket Policy, effective November 1, 2021.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Christopher McBride, Head Women’s Soccer Coach, effective September 1, 2021.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Benjamin Gipson, Associate Men’s Baseball Coach, effective September 1, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of a contract with Mr. Luc Godin, Head Men’s Tennis Coach, effective August 23, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of a contract with Ms. Stephanie Vallejos, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, effective July 1, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of amended Contracts for Employment for various Assistant Football Coaches, effective July 1, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a contract with Mr. Terry Bowden, Head Men’s Football Coach, between the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the ULM Athletic Foundation, effective August 1, 2021.
University of New Orleans: approval of a contract with Mr. Michael Blake Dean, Head Men’s Baseball Coach, effective July 1, 2022.
University of New Orleans: approval of a contract with Mr. Timothy Duncan, Vice President of Athletics & Recreation (VPAR), effective November 1, 2021.

FACILITIES PLANNING

University of Louisiana System’s proposal to revise a Board Rule, Chapter VI, Facilities Planning, Section V. Naming University Facilities, effective October 28, 2021.
Nicholls State University: approval to amend its Five-Year Capital Outlay submission to include the project, New Nursing Building, Planning & Construction.
Nicholls State University: approval to lease approximately 21 acres of land located at the University Farm at Lafourche Crossing, on Hwy. 1 east of Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., a non-profit corporation domiciled in Washington, D.C.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to enter into a Ground Lease with the Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation to renovate “The Inn” on Southeastern’s campus, as authorized by La. R.S. 17: 3361.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: authorization to utilize designated Capital Outlay funds for the acquisition of the former Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital property, Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lafayette.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to name the new Softball Student Athlete Training Leadership Center the “Stangier – Young Leadership Center.”
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to name the agriculture department green space on campus the “Flint and Jimmy Robertson Agriculture Greenhouse Complex.”
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to name rooms in the School of Construction Management building.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to name a room in the School of Construction Management Building the “Jim V. Haddox Student Study Center.”

FINANCE

Northwestern State University: approval of a Proposed New Fee Rate for the Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) for Eligible Nursing Programs.
University of New Orleans: approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with TMTP Labs, Inc.
University of New Orleans: approval of a revised Internal Audit Charter.
University of Louisiana System’s report on internal and external audit activity for the period of August 23 to October 24, 2021.
University of Louisiana System’s discussion of Fiscal Year 2020-21 fourth quarter financial reports and ongoing assurances.

PERSONNEL

Grambling State University: approval to appoint Dr. Debbie Thomas as Dean of the College of Education effective August 16, 2021.
Northwestern State University: approval to appoint Dr. Mary Edith Stacy as Interim Dean of the College of Business and Technology effective September 6, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to continue the appointment of Mr. Michael McClure as Interim Dean of the College of the Arts effective September 1, 2021.