Southern University Board of Supervisors

9:00 a.m.

Saturday, January 8, 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.                                                       

 

PRESENT

Mr. Johnny G. Anderson, Chairman

Mr. Myron K. Lawson, Vice Chairman

Dr. Angela J. Alexander

Atty. Dale N. Atkins

Mr. Quinten Atkins

Mr. Richard  J. Caiton

Atty. Tony M. Clayton

Mr. Walter Guidry

Mr. S. Albert Gilliam

Mr. John W. Joseph

Mrs. Anne Z. Kiefer

Mr. Louis Miller

Mr. Murphy Nash, Jr.

Mr. Achilles Williams

 

ABSENT

Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.

Ms. Lea Polk

 

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: SPECIAL PRESENTATION

 

The Board recognized the immediate past Chairman, Mr. S. Albert Gilliam, for his services to the Board and University.  An official photograph of Mr. Gilliam was hung on the wall of the Board Room.

 

Mr. Gilliam expressed his appreciation to the Board for allowing him to serve as Chair for the past two years and pledged his continuous assistance and service.

 

***

 

The oath of office was given by Senator Charles Jones to newly-appointed Board Member Achilles Williams representing the 7^th Congressional District.  Mr. Williams  replaces Atty. John F.K. Belton.

 

Mr. Williams tendered remarks of appreciation for having the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Supervisors.

 

The oath of office was tendered during the Board=s Ecumenical Prayer Service and Swearing In Ceremony on January 7 by Senator Cleo Fields and Atty. Michael Adams to Chairman, Johnny G. Anderson and Vice Chairman Myron K. Lawson, respectively.  Mr. Murphy Nash oath of office was administered by his daughter, Attorney Jacqueline Nash.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 4: PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Public comments were tendered to be the Board by SU Parent Michael Ford and SUBR Faculty Member, Dr. Sudhi Trivedi.

 

The following announcements/requests were made by the Chairman:

 

-           A series of AListening Tours@ will be conducted by the Board Chairman and other interested Board members in an effort to elicit concerns of campus employees, students and area Legislators and Business and Community Leaders

 

-           The Administration should select one outstanding campus program for highlighting at monthly Board meetings.

 

-           The System President and SUBR Chancellor should meet to bring resolution to the issue of the election of the SUBR Faculty Senate Presidency.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 5: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

 

On motion of Mr. Gilliam, seconded by Mr. Caiton, the agenda was adopted, as printed.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 6A: MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 27, 2004 REGULAR BOARD MEETING AND THE DECEMBER 17, 2004 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

 

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 minutes of the November 27, 2004 regular Board meeting and the Special Board Meeting on December 17, 2004  be and they are hereby approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 6B: COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

On motion of Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Caiton, the following resolution were approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

Academic and Student Affairs Committee

 

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 proposed Cross Enrollment Agreement between the Louisiana Technical College, District 7 and Southern University at Shreveport be and it is hereby approved.

 

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the request from Southern University at New Orleans to change the name of its AGraduate Studies Program@ to the ASchool of Graduate Studies@ be and it is hereby approved.

 

***

 

Informational Reports

- SUNO Signature School

- LONI National Computer Network

 

In response to the Committee=s directive, SUBR and SUNO officials reported their findings in regards to the receipt of a communication from the Director of the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission requesting the campuses to host a financial and workshop.

 

No one in the SUBR Financial Aid Office indicated receipt or knowledge the communication.  However, Chancellor Jackson assured the Board that SUBR  would contact the Commission=s Office, to discuss details for planning and implementing a financial aid workshop on the campus immediately.

 

SUNO officials reported receipt of the communication but were waiting further instruction regarding logistics for holding the workshop.

 

 

Athletics Committee

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Athletics Committee, that the new employment contract for Mr. Pete Richardson, Head Football Coach at Southern University - Baton Rouge, effective retroactive to January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, at an annual salary of $200,000 which includes a housing allowance, plus other compensation, as delineated in the contract document, be and it is hereby approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

Facilities and Property Committee

 

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

 

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 report be and it is hereby approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

The report contained two informational items:

a.  SU Bond Project

b.  Capital Outlay Projects, Systemwide

 

Atty. Clayton announced that information was received by him and other Board members that refuted a statement made to the Committee by Mr. Curtis Lee.  Several Board members voiced concerns that information given to the Board had been deliberately misrepresented and expressed a lack of tolerance for this type of behavior.

 

The System President was asked to look into this matter and report his findings to the Board.

 

 

Finance and Audit Committee

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that BA-7 #7 reflecting an addition to the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center=s general operating budget, the sum of $750,000, be and it is hereby approved.  The funds are being made available from the Pari-Mutual Life Racing Facility Gaming Control Funds, as a statutory dedication to the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

 

Informational Reports

-Proposal for providing Faculty Increases, by Campuses

- SU Bond Project Update

 

Chairman Anderson requested the Administration to expand its proposal for salary increases to include faculty, administration and other unclassified staff and submit it to the Board for approval at the February Board Meeting.

 

 

Governance Committee

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural Mechanical College System, that the creation of the Supervisor Emeritus designation and the enabling amendment to the Regulations of the Board, Chapter IV, Section 4 - 6, be and it is hereby approved.

 

 

Higher Education Desegregation Committee

 

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

 

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 Committee=s report be and it is hereby approved.

 

 

Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee

 

On motion of Atty. Atkins, seconded by Mr. Joseph, the following resolutions were approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee , that a ten percent (10%) increase in the annual salary of Judge Freddie Pitcher, Chancellor of the Southern University Law Center; and, the establishment and payment of a one thousand dollar ($1,000) monthly car allowance, effective retroactive to November 1, 2004, be and it is hereby approved.

 

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, that a ten percent (10%) increase in the annual salary of Dr. Leodrey Williams, Chancellor of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center; and, establishment and payment of a one thousand dollar ($1,000) monthly car allowance, effective retroactive to November 1, 2004, 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 educational leave of absence for Ms. Candace J. Semien, Director of Outreach Operations at SUBR, effective retroactive to January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005, 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. Donald Washington as Director/Animator for the SU Upclose Television Production at SUBR, effective retroactive to August 1, 2004 to May 10, 2005, be and it is hereby approved.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 6C: RESOLUTIONS

 

On motion of Mr. Caiton, seconded by Atty. Clayton, the following resolutions of condolences were approved for families listed below:

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

- The Leslie Hills, Sr. Family

- The Henry Robertson Family

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7: SYSTEM AND CHANCELLORS MONTHLY UPDATES

 

Written and oral monthly reports were given by the System President and Campus Chancellors.  Details are on file.

 

***

 

Dr. Press Robinson, Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans, announced his retirement from the Southern University System, effective June 30, 2005.

 

On motion of Atty. Clayton, seconded by Mr. Caiton, the Board accepted Dr. Press Robinson=s resignation from the Southern University System, effective June 30, 2005.

 

The Board and Administration=s gratitude was extended to Chancellor Robinson for this untiring service to Southern University in various capacities for the past 42 years.

 

Chairman Anderson announced that he would confer with Atty. Dale Atkins, Chairman of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, regarding the search for a Chancellor at SUNO.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 8: OTHER BUSINESS

 

Mr. Melvin Robinson, Director of the Intramural Sport Program at Southern University at Baton Rouge reported on the team=s consistent successes, including its latest capture of the 2005 Intramural Sports Award.

 

Mr. Caiton, Chairman of the Athletics Committee, requested that the Board recognize Intramural Sports Program Student-Athletes at the February 2005 meeting.

 

***

 

 

Chairman Anderson asked the Administration to consider a Lettering Program to recognize academically talented students similar to the one for outstanding student-athletes.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS           

 

Board members were invited to attend the following University Activities:

 

-           Spring Convocation, 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 16 at SU Shreveport

 

-           SU Agricultural Research and Extension Center=s Annual Faith-Based Conference, February 17 - 19, Monroe, LA

 

***

 

The Board recognized the presence of the following individuals:

 

- State Representative Avon Honey

- Former SU Board Member and Chairman Frank Williams, Jr.

- Past SU National Alumni Federation President Reginald Joseph

- SU National Alumni Federation President Donald C. Wade

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

 

________________________________

Secretary, SU Board of Supervisors

 

 

________________________________

Chairman, SU Board of Supervisors