View a recording of this meeting here.

SUCCESSFUL UL SYSTEM DAY AT THE CAPITOL  

Last week’s UL System Day at the Capitol was a great success. With continuing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the event was held in a fully virtual format. Faculty, staff and student stories were shared through social media advocacy and personal outreach to elevate the profile of the Universities of Louisiana in the eyes of our state’s lawmakers.  

The content posted throughout the day was seen over 154,000 times on Twitter. That same content on Facebook produced nearly 1,750 likes, comments and shares which expanded our reach to over 16,500 users.  Gov. Edwards shared the System’s introductory post with the following message. 

“Today is virtual University of Louisiana System Day at the Capitol. Louisiana is proud of the work done by the UL system and know that the more than 90,000 students in the system are the foundation of a bright future for our state. #lagov #lalege #ulsday21” @LouisianaGov 

Check out the #ulsday21 hashtag on Twitter and Facebook to review the incredible content. 

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER’S TERM ENDS 

Today’s Board of Supervisors meeting marked the end of student Board member Olivia Bailey’s yearlong term. During a unique year marked by virtual Board meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bailey spoke for the 92,000 students of the Universities of Louisiana and effectively relayed their perspectives throughout the pandemic. 

“I am thankful that I was able to represent all the students in Louisiana during this unique year and gain first-hand experience of how decisions are made in our state,” Bailey said. “I am even more thankful for the members on the Board that dedicate their time to making sure students in Louisiana receive an exceptional education at our nine institutions, and I am proud to be a part of a System that values students the way ours does.”

As the SGA president of University of Louisiana Monroe, Bailey served diligently on the university’s presidential search committee and advocated for a leader who embodied the qualities students desired. She partnered with past student Board member Rachel Lautigar to present a session at the For Our Future Conference entitled “Reflections and Inspiration from a Student Perspective” to reach a larger audience with the student perspective.  

A Lake Charles native, Bailey will graduate next month with a degree in Risk Management & Insurance. Bailey will attend the June Board meeting to continue the tradition of passing the gavel to the next student member.

BOARD NAMES INTERIM PRESIDENT OF NORTHWESTERN STATE 

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System voted to name Marcus Jones as the interim president of Northwestern State University. Before signing on as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the UL System in 2019, Jones dedicated nearly 30 years to Northwestern and rose through the ranks to eventually become executive vice president.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve Northwestern during this transitional period,” Jones said. “I look forward to returning to the university I have called home for so many years and working with Dr. Maggio and university leaders to continue executing Northwestern’s mission.” will get approval

President Chris Maggio announced his retirement effective June 1, 2021. He has served as president since January of 2017 and has been a member of NSU’s faculty, staff and administration for 33 years. Information about a presidential search is forthcoming.

DIVERSITY CHAMPIONS INTRODUCED TO BOARD 

The champions of diversity for the Universities of Louisiana attended today’s meeting to be formally introduced to the Board of Supervisors.  

“We recognize the importance of the role diversity champions play at each of our member institutions and want to take this public opportunity to acknowledge them and the work they do every day,” Board Chair James Carter said. “Each one of you have real power to enact qualitative change. This acknowledgement serves as a reaffirmation of the Board’s commitment to emphasizing qualified diversity and inclusion on our campuses by elevating their tireless work.”

Those in attendance were Lori Williams from Grambling State University, Devonia Love-Vaughn from Louisiana Tech University, Krisshunn E. Youngblood from McNeese State University, Steven Kenney, Jr. from Nicholls State University, Michael Snowden from Northwestern State University,  Elizabeth Hornsby from Southeastern Louisiana University, Taniecea Mallery from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Pamela Higgins Saulsberry from University of Louisiana Monroe, and Newtona Johnson from University of New Orleans.

BOARD ACTION:

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

Grambling State University: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ProTrain, LLC.
McNeese State University: approval to award an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Mr. Paul Rainwater at the Spring 2021 Commencement Exercises.
McNeese State University: approval to offer an Undergraduate Certificate (UC) in Diversity and Inclusion.
Nicholls State University: approval to award an Honorary Doctor of Commerce to Mr. Gregory K. Stock at the Spring 2021 Commencement Exercises.
Northwestern State University: approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Caddo Career and Technical Center.
Northwestern State University: approval to enter into a Transfer Articulation Agreement with Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC).
Northwestern State University: approval of a School Affiliation Agreement with Rapides Regional Medical Center.
Northwestern State University: approval to convert Post-Baccalaureate Certificates (PBC) in CoNSAH (College of Nursing and School of Allied Health) to Undergraduate Certificates (UC).
Northwestern State University’s request to transition the Bachelor of Science in Theatre – Design and Technology Concentration to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production and Design.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to award an Honorary Doctor of Nursing Practice to Mr. James Devin Moncus at the Spring 2021 Commencement Exercises.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to offer an Undergraduate Certificate (UC) in Geographic Information Systems.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to offer a Graduate Certificate (GC) in Population Health, Public Health Education and Promotion.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC).
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to terminate the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
University of New Orleans: approval to award an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Dr. Raphael Cassimere, Jr. at the Spring 2021 Commencement Exercises.

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE

Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. David Mackie, Assistant Football Coach/Safeties Coach, between Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective March 1, 2021.
Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. Perry Lee Carter, Assistant Football Coach/Cornerbacks Coach, between Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective April 1, 2021.
Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. Louis Lee Holtz III, Assistant Football Coach/Inside Receivers Coach, between Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective March 1, 2021.
Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Mr. Pacifico David DeGuglielmo, Assistant Football Coach/Offensive Line Coach, between Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana Tech University Foundation, effective March 1, 2021.
McNeese State University: approval of a contract with Mr. John Aiken, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, effective April 1, 2021.
McNeese State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Lynn Kennedy, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective April 1, 2021.
Northwestern State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Sean Kiracofe, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, effective March 1, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of amended Contracts for Employment for various coaches.

FACILITIES PLANNING

Northwestern State University: approval to enter into a Ground Lease Agreement with the Northwestern State University Foundation (NSUF) to obtain and install artificial turf on the football field at Harry Turpin Stadium, pursuant to La. R.S. 17:3361.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to demolish the Research Greenhouse Number 1 as the result of damage suffered from Hurricane Delta.

FINANCE

Grambling State University: approval to seek matching funds from the Louisiana Board of Regents for Endowed Scholarships:
Doug Williams Peyback Endowed Scholarship
The Shade Room First Generation Endowed Scholarship
Origin Bank First Generation Endowed Scholarship
Reverend E. Edward Jones, Sr. and Mrs. Leslie A. Jones Endowed Student Scholarship
Diageo North America, Inc. Endowed Scholarship Fund
Mr. Truitt Lowery and Mrs. Eleanor Wayne Lowery Endowed Student Scholarship
Dr. Neari F. Warner Endowed Student Scholarship
SGA Centennial Campaign Endowed Scholarship
The Perry D. and Monica Kennedy Jones Endowed Student Scholarship
Annie McConnell Brown Endowed Scholarship
The Tiger Marching Band Endowed Scholarship
The Doris Moses-Perseverance Scholarship
Miechelle O. Willis Endowed Student Athletic Scholarship
Louisiana Tech University: approval to amend and extend the University’s lease agreement for the University’s foodservice operations and facilities with Aramark Educational Services, LLC, for an additional twelve- (12) year period beyond the current term ending June 30, 2024.
Louisiana Tech University: approval to amend the University’s existing lease agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC, and implement the First Day Complete Equitable Access Program.
Nicholls State University: approval to amend and extend the University’s existing lease agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC, and implement the First Day Complete Equitable Access Program.
University of Louisiana System: approval of Campus Housing and Meal Plan Rates, Auxiliary Rates, Energy Surcharge, and Non-Governmental Charges for Academic Year 2021-22.

PERSONNEL

Northwestern State University: approval to appoint Dr. Michael Snowden as Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity effective May 1, 2021.