Special Meeting

Southern University Board of Supervisors

10:00 a.m.

Thursday, November 13, 2003

Board of Supervisors= Meeting Room

J.S. Clark Administration Building

Southern University - Baton Rouge

 

MINUTES

 

The meeting of the Southern University Board of Supervisors was convened by the Chairman, Mr. S. Albert Gilliam.

 

The invocation was given by Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry,Jr.

 

PRESENT

Mr. S. Albert Gilliam, Chairman

Atty. Tony M. Clayton, Vice Chairman

Ms. Angela Alexander

Mr. Johnny G. Anderson

Mrs. Dottie H. Bell

Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.

Mr. Richard J. Caiton

Mr. Walter Guidry

Mr. John W. Joseph

Ms. Anne Z. Kiefer

Mr. Myron K. Lawson

Mr. Louis Miller

Ms. Lea Polk

Mr. Frank Taylor, Jr. - Student Member

 

ABSENT

Atty. John F.K. Belton

Mr. Bertel Dejoie

 

UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL IN ATTENDANCE

System President Leon R. Tarver

Vice Presidents Ralph Slaughter, Tolor White and Victor Ukpolo

Chancellors Edward Jackson, Press Robinson, Ray Belton, Leodrey Williams and

   Freddie Pitcher, Jr.

                     * * *

Atty. Winston DeCuir, Board Counsel

 

AGENDA ITEM 3:  PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Mr. Richard Turnley, President of the S.U. System Foundation, spoke in support of the Cooperative Endeavor between the Foundation and the Board of Supervisors.  He urged the Board=s favorable action on documents necessary to effect the campuses and other construction projects and assured the Board of their quality and integrity.

 

Mr. Turnley was accompanied by Foundation Board Members Jerry McKernan and Alfreda Bester.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 4: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

 

A motion was offered by Mrs. Bell and seconded by Rev. Taylor, for the Board to adopt the agenda with the following amendments:

 

ADD:  Item 5B: Stadium Addition

Item 5C: Hodge vs. LSU Lawsuit

Item 5D: Lease Agreement

 

A substitute motion was offered by Ms. Polk and seconded by Mr. Caiton for the Board to adopt the agenda, as printed.

 

A substitute to the substitute motion was offered by Mr. Joseph and seconded by Mrs. Bell, for the Board to include in Item 5A the consideration of the Lease Agreement and Stadium Expansion; and to add Item 5C: Hodges vs. LSU Litigation.

 

The motion carried.  Roll call vote: 14 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 5A:           CONSIDERATION OF COOPERATIVE ENDEAVORS, LEASE AGREEMENT, STADIUM EXPANSION AND BOND ISSUE BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

 

The Committee was advised that Lease Agreement that originally included provisions for the stadium renovation had been amended as a result of litigation filed by an LSU Student against the LSU Board of Supervisors (Hodge Litigation).  The lawsuit contended that the financing of an LSU Stadium expansion project through an increase in student fees was in violation of the State Constitution requiring prior approval of the Legislature.  The Foundation attorneys recommended that this project be place on hold until a court decision was rendered.

 

Atty. Clayton voiced objection to this position, noting that lawsuit was considered to be frivolous and would not gain court sanction.  He recommended that the stadium project remain as an original part of the lease documents.

 

Other concerns raised by the Board related to:

 

(1.)      adequate revenue source to service the debt on the dormitories

 

(2.)      the Board/University=s if the Foundation is unable to fill dormitory slots

 

(3.)      plans for continuing employment of dormitory staff once new facilities are built under the auspices of the Foundation

 

(4.)      Board authority over construction projects

 

(5.)      the need for a finalized Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to ensure that projects and concerns of the Board are included and properly addressed

 

(6.)      priority placement of students in University dormitories

 

A ten-minute recess was called by the Chairman.

 

- RECESS -

 

- RECONVENTION -

 

Chairman Gilliam announced the appointment of the following Board members to an Ad Hoc Committee.  This Committee was charged to meet with Foundation officials and attorneys as well as the Board=s attorney to address all of the concerns expressed by Board members relative to the campuses= construction projects.  The Committee was further charged to formulate recommendations for submission to the Board expeditiously.

 

 

 

Board members appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee are:

 

Mr. Walter Guidry, Chairman

Ms. Lea M. Polk

Mr. John W. Joseph

Rev. Frank Taylor, Jr. - Student Member

 

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 6: ADJOURNMENT

 

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Mr. Miller, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

_____________________________________

Secretary, S.U. Board of Supervisors

 

 

_____________________________________                                                                    Chairman, S.U. Board of Supervisors