FEBRUARY 2023 BOARD ACTION
View a recording of today’s meeting here.
UNIVERSITIES OF LOUISIANA HOST HIGHER ED FREE EXPRESSION SUMMIT
The University of Louisiana System is hosting the Louisiana Higher Education Free Expression Summit at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s LITE Center March 16. The event serves as an opportunity to discuss topics such as free speech and other first amendment topics and how they apply in expected and unexpected ways at our state’s higher education institutions.
Conceived by Louisiana Representative Charles Owen, this event will gather faculty, students, and administrators from all corners of Louisiana’s higher education enterprise for panel discussions and presentations including the policymaker perspective, student views, local media involvement, and input from FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
“When Rep. Owen first brought this idea forward, we immediately recognized the value in elevating this conversation throughout the state,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “We anticipate an open, civil, but lively conversation and exchange of ideas on the state of the First Amendment in the university setting and how we can continue to best promote and maintain the liberties it affords.”
Registration is required and space is limited. Visit ulsystem.edu/free-expression-summit for all details and registration information.
LA TECH OFFERS GOOGLE CERTIFICATIONS THROUGH COURSERA
Through a partnership between Louisiana Tech University and Coursera, all University of Louisiana System faculty and staff have access to a new platform to attain Google Certifications in the following courses: Project Management, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, Data Analytics, UX Design, IT Support, and IT Automation.
Coursera is the world’s leading online learning platform providing content in a variety of disciplines created by industry partners and faculty from around the globe.
Louisiana Tech offers three pathways for UL System learners—a standalone Google Certification at no cost; the Certification in addition to CEU/CLU credit at $99; and the credit-bearing pathway at $1,475 which allows for Google Certification in tandem with online enrollment at Louisiana Tech for 3 hours of graduate credit.
Click here for more information about this opportunity.
UPCOMING SYSTEM EVENTS
Spring is a busy season for the Universities of Louisiana. We have several upcoming events.
The sixth annual For Our Future Conference is March 26 – 28 at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Lake Charles. Programming falls into three tracks: Engage, Instruct, and Innovate. Registration is open, and the room block closes March 1. All conference information can be found at ulsystem.edu/conference.
The 12th annual University of Louisiana System Academic Summit will be held April 20 and 21, on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA.
The Academic Summit showcases academic excellence through examples of undergraduate experiential learning at UL System universities. Presentations will focus on outstanding projects from each university in the areas of research, service-learning, visual arts, and performing arts.
UL System Day at the Capitol is April 26 at the Pentagon Barracks. We will gather to share our stories and impress our collective worth and impact upon our state policymakers.
The third annual Universities of Louisiana Black Male Summit will be held in New Orleans June 21 and 22. This is an opportunity to gather and discuss addressing systemic barriers and creating new opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. We look forward to pinning Cohort 3 of Reginald F. Lewis Scholars at the Summit.
BOARD ACTION
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS
McNeese State University: approval to award an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Mr. Charles “Chuck” Kleckley at the Spring 2023 Commencement Exercises.
ATHLETIC
Grambling State University: approval of a contract with Ms. Paige Phillips, Head Volleyball Coach, effective March 31, 2023.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Frank Scelfo, Head Football Coach, effective January 1, 2023.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. James Riser, Head Men’s Baseball Coach, effective January 1, 2023.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of amended Contracts for Employment for five head coaches, effective February 23, 2023.
AUDIT
University of Louisiana System: approval of the Audit Committee Charter for the System.
FACILITIES PLANNING
Grambling State University: approval to enter into a Grounds and Facilities Lease Agreement with the Black and Gold Facilities, Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for- profit corporation, to construct a new student welcome and student success facility pursuant to the authority vested in La. R.S. 17:3361, et seq.
Grambling State University: approval to name the Recording Control Room in the Conrad Hutchinson Performing Arts Center the “Earl ‘E-40’ Stevens Recording Studio.”
McNeese State University’s request to name the small conference room in the Business Conference Center the “Candace Townsend Conference Room.”
Nicholls State University: approval to name two rooms in Ellender Memorial Library and one room in Picciola Hall.
Northwestern State University: approval to name the Center for Inclusion and Diversity the “Gail Jones Center for Inclusion and Diversity.”
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to name office number 90 in Garrett Hall the “Joseph ‘Chief’ Piediscalzo Multimedia & Distance Learning Studio.”
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to demolish five buildings on University properties that have been damaged beyond repair by hurricanes and have exceeded their useful lifespan.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to enter a Building Lease with Ragin’ Cajun Facilities, Inc. (RCFI) for a portion of the building located at 501 West St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506 for renovation for use by the University’s Nursing Program, which shall terminate upon completion of construction, as authorized by La. R.S. 17:3361, et seq.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval to enter a Lease with Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center (OLOL) of a portion of the building located at 406 Dunreath Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, currently occupied by OLOL, for the sole purpose of housing its outpatient rehabilitation center, as authorized by La. R.S. 17:3361, et seq.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of four philanthropic naming opportunities on campus.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to enter into a Grounds and Facilities Lease Agreement with ULM Facilities, Inc. to construct a new short game practice area at the Wally Jones Golf Complex, pursuant to La. R.S. 17:3361, et seq.
University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval to enter into a Grounds and Facilities Lease Agreement with ULM Facilities, Inc. to replace the artificial turf on the football field at Malone Stadium, pursuant to La. R.S. 17:3361, et seq.
University of New Orleans: approval to dedicate the College of Sciences building as the “Ehret-Curry College of Sciences Building.”
FINANCE
Louisiana Tech University: approval to enter a ten-year lease agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC.
University of Louisiana System: approval to establish LEQSF (8g) Endowed Professorships, Endowed First Generation Scholarships, and Graduate Scholarship as follows:
McNeese State University
- Shirley Kidd Hunter Professorship in Music
Northwestern State University
- Walter Porter Family Endowed Professorship in Business
Southeastern Louisiana University
- Steve Cosse First Generation Endowed Scholarship #2
- Thelma Ryan First Generation Endowed Scholarship
- Joyce Junghans Endowed Professorship in Business #4
- MHSF Endowed Cameron Barr Graduate Scholarship in Population Health Management
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Cynthia Baillio Hartgerink/BORSF Endowed Professorship in Computing and Informatics
University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Tex Kilpatrick Endowed Professorship in Kinesiology
University of New Orleans
- Philip Gunn & Jeanne M. Turner Endowed First Generation Scholarship I
- Philip Gunn & Jeanne M. Turner Endowed First Generation Scholarship II
- Anil Raj Endowed Professorship in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Joseph Lee and Nola Michalik Endowed First Generation Scholarship
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science I
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science II
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science III
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science IV
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science V
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science VI
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science VII
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science VIII
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science IX
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science X
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science XI
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science XII
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science XIII
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science XIV
- Mary Grace Curry Endowment First Generation Scholarship in Science XVUniversity of Louisiana System: approval of payments made by nonprofit organizations to employees of the University of Louisiana System during Fiscal Year 2022 in accordance with provision of Louisiana Revised Statute (R.S.) 17:3390(F).
PERSONNEL
Nicholls State University: approval to appoint Dr. Raquel Engolio as Dean for the College of Nursing effective January 9, 2023.
Southeastern Louisiana University: approval to appoint Dr. Claire Procopio as Interim Dean of the proposed College of Honors and Excellence effective March 1, 2023.
University of New Orleans: approval to appoint Dr. Carolyn Golz as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students effective January 1, 2023.
University of New Orleans: approval to appoint Ms. Mamie Sterkx Gasperecz as Vice President for Business Affairs effective March 1, 2023.
