Southern University Board of Supervisors

Southern University Board of Supervisors
9:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room
Southern University - Baton Rouge Campus

MINUTES

The meeting of the Southern University Board of Supervisors was convened by the Chairman, Mr. Johnny G. Anderson. The invocation was given by Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.

PRESENT
Mr. Johnny G. Anderson, Chairman
Mr. Myron K. Lawson, Vice Chairman
Dr. Angela J. Alexander
Atty. Dale N. Atkins
Mr. Quinten Atkins
Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.
Mr. Richard J. Caiton
Atty. Tony M. Clayton
Mr. S. Albert Gilliam
Mr. Walter Guidry
Mr. John W. Joseph
Mr. Louis Miller
Mr. Murphy Nash, Jr.
Ms. Lea M. Polk
Mr. Achilles Williams

ABSENT
Ms. Anne Z. Kiefer

UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL IN ATTENDANCE
President Leon R. Tarver II
Vice Presidents Ralph Slaughter, Victor Ukpolo, and Tolor White
Chancellors Ray L. Belton, Edward Jackson, Press Robinson, Freddie Pitcher, and Leodrey Williams

BOARD COUNSEL
Attys. Winston DeCuir, Sr. and Winston DeCuir, Jr.

AGENDA ITEM 3: PUBLIC COMMENTS

Dr. Eva Baham, President of the SUBR Faculty Senate, offered statements in regards to:

- Juris Doctorate equivalency of Ph.D. as a requirement for the System Presidency

- Faculty office hours, workload and class preparation time

- The Southern University Statewide Tour

Dr. Baham’s comments and Board members’ responses are on tape in the Board’s Office.

AGENDA ITEM 4: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Ms. Polk, the agenda was adopted, as amended.

Motion carried unanimously.

AMENDMENT:
Add to Item 6A: Executive Session

AGENDA ITEM 5: SCHOOL OF NURSING, SUBR

Dean Janet Rami presented a report on the Southern University School of Nursing. The presentation was in response to the Board Chairman’s directive to have one of the University’s academic programs highlighted at each Board meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 6A: ACCEPTANCE OF THE SU SYSTEM PRESIDENT’S RESIGNATION (EXECUTIVE SESSION)

On motion of Mr. Caiton, seconded by Mr. Gilliam, the Board convened into an executive session to discuss the letter of resignation from System President Leon R.Tarver II.

Motion carried unanimously. Roll call vote: 15 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions.

- EXECUTIVE SESSION -

- OPEN SESSION -

On motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Nash, the Board reconvened into open session.

Motion carried unanimously. Roll call vote: 15 yeas, 0 nays, 0 abstentions.

***

On motion of Atty. Clayton, seconded by Mr. Joseph,

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, that the resignation of System President Leon R. Tarver II, effective June 30, 2005, be and it is hereby accepted;

FURTHER RESOLVED that the provisions as stipulated in his letter be and they are hereby granted.

Motion carried unanimously.

The Board’s commendations were extended to Dr. Tarver for his service as System President for the past 8 ½ years.

AGENDA ITEM 6B: MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 8, 2005 REGULAR MEETING

On motion of Rev. Bilberry, seconded by Mr. Guidry,

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, that the minutes of the January 8, 2005 regular meeting of the Board be and they are hereby approved.

Motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM 6C: COMMITTEE REPORTS

Academic and Student Affairs Committee
On motion of Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Miller, the following resolutions and the Committee’s report were approved.

Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the Articulation Agreement between SUBR, SUNO and SUSLA; and the plans of actions submitted by SUBR and SUNO for articulating programs with SUSLA, be and they are hereby approved.

***

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the proposal for implementing a Women’s Studies Program on the Southern University - Baton Rouge Campus to include a certificate, minor and Bachelor of Arts degree, be and it is hereby approved.

FURTHER RESOLVED that implementation of the academic program will be over a two-year period, beginning Fall 2005 Semester.

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RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that Southern University at New Orleans be and it is hereby authorized to take over the Edward Livingston Middle School, an Orleans Parish failed school.

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RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the agreement between Southern University at New Orleans and the Orleans Parish School Board be terminated, due to its breech of the contract terms.

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orleans Parish School Board be billed immediately for damages at SUNO caused by the Signature School’s students and for the costs it was to pay to SUNO to support the Signature School under the terms of the contract.

***

Informational Reports, by Campus
- Accreditation challenges for the next four years
- A plan of action for increasing student retention
- Proposals for increasing Graduation Rates
- Leveraging for need-based scholarships
- Policy on Faculty Class Schedules and Office Hours

Facilities and Property Committee

On motion of Mr. Gilliam, seconded by Mr. Caiton, the following resolutions and the Committee’s report were approved.

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Facilities and Property Committee, that the emergency alteration that was performed on the Navy ROTC Supply Building on the Southern University - Baton Rouge Campus be and it is hereby approved.

***

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Facilities and Property Committee, that the agreement between the Southern University System and the Shreveport Airport Authority to lease hangar space consisting of office/classroom/lab at a rate of $5.4826 per square foot per year including sixty parking spaces be and it is hereby approved.

FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Facilities and Property Committee, that authorization be and it is hereby granted to SUNO, by and through the Louisiana Division of Administration, Office of Facility Planning and Control, to enter into negotiations to acquire land on Campus Boulevard directly across the street from the Clark Building.

***

Items deferred until March meeting:
- Capital Outlay Projects
- Major Repairs and Re-roofing Projects

Finance and Audit Committee

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Ms. Polk, the following resolutions were approved.

Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that the policy governing the SU System Internal Audit Division be immediately revised to transfer oversight and reporting functions of the office from the System level to the level of the Board of Supervisors, effective immediately, be and it is hereby approved.

***

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that BA-7 #8 in the amount of $396,747 which represents self-generated revenues derived from FY 2004-2005 enrollment increase at the Southern University at Shreveport Campus, be and they are hereby approved.

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RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that Millennium Housing, L.L.C. be and it is hereby authorized to increase the scope of the food service facilities on the Southern University at New Orleans Campus and the Southern University - Shreveport Campus to encompass full food service facilities.

FURTHER RESOLVED that the final design, scope and cost of these facilities are to be approved by the Southern University Board of Supervisors or its duly authorized representative, pursuant to Article VII of the Cooperative Endeavor and Lease Agreement.

***

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Facilities and Property Committee, that Southern University - Shreveport be and it is hereby authorized to use prior year Building Use fees to support the two projects listed below:

- Completion of landscaping for the newly renovated Administration Building lobby - $478,000

- Signage for Louis Collier Hall and Dr. Jesse N. Stone, Jr. Lecture Hall - $10,000

***

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Facilities and Property Committee, that the Professional Legal Services Contract between the Southern University Board of Supervisors and Bryan and Jupiter Law Firm for the period of July 1, 2004 through June 30,2005 at an amount not to exceed seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000), be and it is hereby approved.

***

A motion was offered by Atty. Clayton for the Administration to exhaust all other revenue-generating measures before implementing a 3% tuition increase.

The motion died for lack of a second.

***

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Mr. Caiton,

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that a three percent (3%) tuition increase on each campus, as authorized by Act 1117, 2001 La. Legislative Session, effective Fall 2005 be and it is hereby approved.

The Law Center opted not to recommend the tuition increased due to an existing plan that it currently being implemented.

Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee

On motion of Atty. Atkins, seconded by Mr. Gilliam, the following resolutions and the Committee’s report were approved.

Motion carried unanimously.

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RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, that the appointment of Mrs. Brenda Williams as Registrar for the Southern University at Baton Rouge Campus, effective retroactive to February 1, 2005 at an annual 12-month salary of $66,500, be and it is hereby approved.

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RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, that the appointment of Ms. Eddie Jean Cheatham as Director of Institutional Effectiveness/Assessment, Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs at the Southern University - Shreveport Campus, effective March 1, 2005, at an annual 12-month salary of $55,000 be and it is hereby approved.

***

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, that the appointment of Mr. Major L. Brock, Jr., as Director of the Educational Opportunity Center at Southern University - Shreveport, effective March 1, 2005 at a 12-monthly salary of $36,000 be and it is hereby approved.

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- Ms. Lynda Glasper (SUBR) sick leave, effective retroactive to January 26, 2005 to April 1, 2005

- Dr. William Stewart (SUNO) sick leave with pay, effective retroactive to January 10, 2005 to May 16, 2005

- Mrs. Fatima Chajia (SUBR) maternity leave, effective retroactive to January 11, 2005 to June 20, 2005

- Dr. Kim B. Porter (SUBR) maternity leave, effective retroactive to February 10, 2005 to May 13, 2005.

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Higher Education Desegregation Committee

On motion of Mr. Gilliam, seconded by Mr. Lawson,

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Higher Education Desegregation Committee, that the informational report of the Committee be and it is hereby received.

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Legislative Committee

On motion of Ms. Polk, seconded by Dr. Alexander,

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Legislative Committee, that the informational report of the Committee, be and it is hereby received.

Motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM 6D: RESOLUTIONS

Presidential Search
On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Rev. Bilberry,

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, that it shall initiate a national search to fill the position of President of the Southern University System using the revised search guidelines approved by the Board.

Motion carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEM 7: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

a. System and Campus Reports
Updates from the System and Campus Head were received. Detail are on file and on tape.

b. Technology Orientation Session
Mr. Jesse Smith, Director of the SU System Information and Technology Resource Management (ITRM), presented a brief report on plans to convert the process for transmitting Board-related communications and documents electronically to all Board members.

AGENDA ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT

On motion of Atty. Clayton, seconded by Mr. Caiton, the meeting was adjourned.

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Secretary, SU Board of Supervisors

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Chairman, SU Board of Supervisors