View a recording of this meeting here.

GRAMBLING PARTNERS WITH SISTER INSTITUTIONS

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System approved partnerships among its member institutions in north Louisiana. Grambling State University is partnering with Louisiana Tech University and the University of Louisiana Monroe to create additional opportunities for students at the System’s only HBCU.  

Through an MOU, Grambling’s management students will have permission to enroll in online risk management and insurance courses through ULM. A second MOU will promote a clear path to graduate studies for Grambling’s accounting students by offering accelerated entry to LA Tech’s Master of Accountancy program. 

“The partnerships approved today are a great example of innovation among the Universities of Louisiana and highlight our institutions’ commitment to create streamlined educational pathways,” UL System President and CEO Dr. Jim Henderson said. “These institutions recognized a chance to improve student success through cooperation, and the result is greater access and opportunities for out students.” 

ROMERO COMPLETES DUTIES AS CHAIR

Dr. Jim Henderson, left, and incoming chairman James Carter, right, present outgoing chairman Mark Romero with a commemorative gavel.

Today marked outgoing Board chair Mark Romero’s final meeting in the Board’s executive role. Romero served as Board chair for two years. His steadfast leadership through his term, especially through the challenges of 2020, was acknowledged with much appreciation by System President Jim Henderson and fellow Board members. Romero served as Board chair from 2019-2020 and vice chair from 2017-2018. 

“In the last four years, I’ve had the opportunity to witness and participate in an extraordinary movement,” Romero said. “ The work that we’ve done has truly impacted our System—our students, faculty and staff. I know this progress will continue under our next chair’s leadership.” 

Chair Romero will be succeeded by James Carter with Elizabeth Pierre as vice chair. Carter appointed Dr. Jimmy Clarke as parliamentarian. The new leaders will be sworn in at a meeting scheduled for January 7.  

SYSTEM TAPS CONTENT EXPERTS TO ASSIST FACULTY AND STAFF

At today’s Board meeting, the University of Louisiana System announced the establishment of a network of content experts to support faculty and staff in growth and professional development.  Experts will lead in five content areas: mental health, online teaching and learning, grant writing and research, information technology, and financial aid. 

“Part of the power of our System is the ability to leverage the collective resources among our nine member institutions to help us maximize growth and achievement,” Dr. Jim Henderson said. “There is a tremendous breadth of talent at our universities, and this  program will ease our ability to share best practices and provide professional development in the five content areas.” 

The five experts will identify System faculty and staff with shared expertise and publish pertinent resources while serving as a points of contact on their content for faculty and staff. 

The selected content experts are: 

Mental Health 
Dr. Sattaria ‘Tari’ Dilks, McNeese State University
Professor and Co-coordinator of Graduate Nursing 

Online Teaching and Learning 
Elizabeth Blankenship, University of New Orleans
Director of the Center for Teaching Innovation 

Grant Writing and Research 
Carla Howell, Northwestern State University
Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs 

Information Technology 
Tracy Brown, Northwestern State University
Chief Technology Officer 

Financial Aid 
Dr. Gavin Hamms, Grambling State University
Director of Financial Aid 

BOARD ACTION:

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS

Grambling State University: approval to discard library books that have not been circulated since 2017.
Grambling State University: approval to offer a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Advanced Supervision.
Grambling State University: approval to offer a Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Administration.
McNeese State University: approval to offer a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to award an Honorary Doctorate of Arts to Mr. James A. Garland at the Spring 2021 Commencement Exercises.
University of Louisiana at Monroe’s request to offer an Undergraduate Certificate in Selling and Sales Management.
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between Grambling State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe in regards to Risk Management & Insurance Courses.
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University in regards to the Master of Accountancy Program

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE

Louisiana Tech University: approval of a contract with Dr. Eric A. Wood, Vice President and Director of Athletics, effective November 1, 2020.
McNeese State University: approval of a contractual agreement with Ms. Clerc Bertrand, Executive Director of the McNeese Athletic Foundation, effective November 16, 2020.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Jeremy White, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, effective January 1, 2021.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of amended Contracts for Employment for various coaches.

FACILITIES PLANNING

Nicholls State University: approval to amend its 5-Year Capital Outlay submission to include the project to replace the bridge at Lafourche Crossing Farm.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to transfer the Leasehold interest in the Alumni Center from the Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association, Inc. to Southeastern Louisiana University and the Board.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to enter into a Ground Lease with the Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation to renovate the Alumni Center on Southeastern’s campus, as authorized by La. R.S. 17:3361.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval amend its 5-Year Capital Outlay submission to include the project to build the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center inside of the Edith Garland Dupre Library.
University of New Orleans’ request for approval to sell the Goldring Hall to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Inc. on terms and conditions acceptable to the Board and for a sale price no less than the appraised value.

FINANCE

Louisiana Tech University: approval to seek matching funds from the Louisiana Board of Regents for eight Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarships and one Endowed Professorship:
George Leroy Erskine, Jr. Endowed Graduate Scholarship
Justin and Jeanette Hinckley Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarship in the College of Education
Justin and Jeanette Hinckley Endowed Superior Graduate Scholarship in Biological Sciences
Dana Miller Packman Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship
Rick and Lisa Shirley Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship #1
Rick and Lisa Shirley Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship #2
Rick and Lisa Shirley Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship #3
Argent Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship in the College of Business
Rick and Lisa Shirley Endowed Presidential Professorship II
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to establish the Freddy and Reba Nolan Endowed Superior Graduate Student Scholarship in Health Sciences.
University of New Orleans’ request for approval to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Stadius BioPharma, Inc.
University of New Orleans’ request for final approval for the issuance of Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System revenue bonds (University of New Orleans Project) not to exceed $8,000,000 in one or more series to finance the acquisition of cloud-based enterprise resource planning software.

PERSONNEL

McNeese State University: approval to appoint Dr. Ann Warner as Interim Dean for the College of Nursing/Health Professions effective January 4, 2021.
McNeese State University: approval to appoint Mr. Heath Schroyer as Athletic Director/Head Men’s Basketball Coach effective January 1, 2021.
Northwestern State University: approval to appoint Dr. Joel Hicks as Interim Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health effective January 4, 2021.
Northwestern State University: approval to appoint Dr. Francene Lemoine as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences effective January 4, 2021.
University of New Orleans’ request for approval to appoint Mr. Timothy Duncan as Vice President for Athletics and Recreation effective October 1, 2020.
University of New Orleans’ request for approval to appoint Ms. Mary Beth Marks as Vice President for Enrollment Management effective November 15, 2020.