Southern University Board of Supervisors

9:00 a.m.

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Dr. Jesse N. Stone, Jr. Lecture Hall

Southern University - Shreveport 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 Mr. John W. Joseph.                          

 

PRESENT

Mr. Johnny G. Anderson, Chairman

Mr. Myron K. Lawson, Vice Chairman

Dr. Angela J. Alexander

Atty. Dale N. Atkins

Mr. Richard  J. Caiton

Atty. Tony M. Clayton

Mr. S. Albert Gilliam

Mr. Walter Guidry

Mr. John W. Joseph

Ms. Anne Z. Kiefer

Mr. Louis Miller

Mr. Murphy Nash, Jr.

Ms. Lea M. Polk

Mr. Achilles Williams

 

ABSENT

Mr. Quinten Atkins

Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.

 

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

 

None.

 

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 4: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

 

On motion of Atty. Clayton, seconded by Dr. Alexander, the agenda was adopted, as amended.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

AMENDMENTS:

Add:      Item 7B-8:        Presidential Search Committee=s Report

 

Item 7D: 2005 Football Schedule

 

Item 7E:  Update on efforts to acquire land for SU Agricultural Research and Experiment Station

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 5: SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

 

Members of the Board and Administration expressed appreciation verbally and through various mementos  to former Board Members Dottie H. Bell and John F.K. Belton for their contributions to the Board and University throughout their tenure.  Mrs. and Atty. Belton gave remarks indicative of their gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve as University trustees.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 6:        DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAMS, SUSLA

 

The Dental Hygiene Program at SUSLA was spotlighted during the meeting.  The Administration was requested to examine the components that led to the success of this and other programs on the Southern University Campuses and share its findings with other colleges.

 

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7A:       MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2005 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Ms. Polk,

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System that the minutes of the February 25, 2005 meeting of the Board be and they are hereby approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7B: 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 the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the Policy on Conferring of Honorary Doctorate Degrees within the Southern University System be and it is hereby approved.

 

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the following promotion with tenure recommendations for Southern University - Shreveport be and they are hereby approved.

 

 

Vanessa Leggett           Promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities/Freshman Studies

 

Vanessa White  Promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor in the Department of Science and Technology, Math and Computer Science

 

Promotion to Associate Professor carries with it automatic tenure.

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the Policy for referring students seeking enrollment at an SU Campus to other SU Campuses within the SU System when the student is unable to attend the original University contacted, be and it is hereby approved.

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the Faculty Handbook, as prepared for the SU System, be and it is hereby approved.

 

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, that the Academic Calendar, as revised, for Fall 2005 at Southern University - Baton Rouge be and it is hereby approved.

 

***

 

The Committee=s report also contained a report on the J.D. equivalency to the earned Doctoral Degree, per information published by the American Bar Association.

 

 

Facilities and Property Committee

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Facilities and Property Committee, that the Committee=s report be and it is hereby received.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

The report included updates on the Capital Outlay Projects and Major Repairs and Re-roofing Projects, by Campus.

 

 

 

 

 

Finance and Audit Committee

 

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Atty. Clayton, the following resolutions and the Committee=s report were approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that the Mandatory Direct Deposit of Employee Payroll Checks Policy, Systemwide, be and it is hereby approved for implementation, effective July 1, 2005.

 

Consideration will be given to those employees who demonstrate that they have not been able to secure an account with a financial institution.

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that authorization be and it is hereby granted to the Board Attorney to prepare the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to issue a Request for Proposals for the Systemwide Energy Efficiency Improvement Project to receive quotes and other information; and, to place the monitoring and oversight of this project under the direction of the Finance and Audit Committee.

 

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University College System, upon the recommendation of the Finance and Audit Committee, that the inclusion in the SU Bond Project of a road for the SUNO North Campus and furnishings for the North Endzone Stadium Field House at SUBR be and it is hereby authorized.

 

***

 

Informational updates included in the Committee=s report were:

 

-          Development of the System Policy on the AFair Share@ concept to include Minority, Emerging or other Businesses in Contracting and Purchasing

 

-          Implementation of th SU Employee Bi-Weekly Payroll Project, Systemwide

 

-          Proposal for implementing salary increases for SU Faculty and Unclassified Personnel, effective FY 2005 - 2006, by Campus

 

-          Decentralization of the Checkwriting System for SUSLA

 

-          Financing of the SU Alumni Center

 

 

Governance Committee

 

On motion of Mr. Caiton, seconded by Ms. Polk, the following resolution and the Committee=s report were approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee, that approval be and it is hereby granted to amend the Board=s Bylaws, Article III, Section I: Standing Committees to reflect the change in the name of the Finance Committee to the Finance and Audit Committee; and, to eliminate the provision authorizing all Board members to vote during Committee meetings.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

Higher Education Desegregation Committee

 

On motion of Mr. Gilliam, seconded by Ms. Kiefer,

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Higher Education Desegregation Committee, that the Committee=s report be and it is hereby approved.

 

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

The Committee=s report reflected an informational update on outstanding desegregation issues affecting the Southern University System.

 

 

Legislative Committee

 

On motion of Ms. Polk, seconded by Mr. Guidry,

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Legislative Committee, that the Committee=s report be and it is hereby approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

The report contained the following informational items:

 

-          SU Board Members and Administrators= scheduled visit to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation and others on April 19.  The purpose of this initiative is to enhance the University=s legislative presence and support in the US Capitol

 

-          Southern University Day at the Legislature which is scheduled to take place on May 17, 2005 on the steps of the State Capitol

 

-          A reception for members of the La. Legislature on May 17, 2005 at University Place

 

-          Plans to host members of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and the Appropriations and Education Committees of both Houses at University Place before the regular session begins

 

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.

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, that the following personnel policies for the SU System, be and they are hereby approved.

 

-          Non-disciplinary Removal for Unscheduled Absences for Classified Employees

 

 

 

-          Removal for Unscheduled Absences for Unclassified Employees

 

-          Educational Privileges/Employee Fee Waiver for Full-Time Non-Academic and certain Academic Employees

 

-          Tuition Discounts for Employees, Spouses and Children

 

-          Compensatory Leave for Eligible (non-exempt) Unclassified Professional Staff

 

-          Crisis Leave (Conditional approval pending the amending of the Policy to provide for a donor to designate leave to the pool for preferred purpose)

 

-          Shared Leave (Conditional approval pending the amending of the Policy to provide for a donor to designate leave to the pool for preferred purpose)

 

***

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, upon the recommendation of the Personnel Affairs and Policy Committee, that leaves of absence for SU Personnel listed below be and they are hereby approved.

 

-          Peter Mok, Assistant Professor of the Master of Science in Computer Information System Program (SUNO) Medical Leave with and without pay, effective retroactive to January 10, 2005 to May 17, 2005

 

-          Deborah Smith, Director/Professor in the Master of Arts in Urban Education Program (SUNO) Sick Leave with pay, effective retroactive to August 8, 2004 to January 7, 2005 and January 8, 2005 to May 27, 2005

 

-          Beverly Spann, Assistant Professor of Developmental Math, Junior Division (SUNO) Sick Leave with pay, effective retroactive to January 10, 2005 to May 17, 2005

 

-          Debra Ephrom, ADA Compliance Officer (SUBR), Sick Leave effective retroactive to November 11, 2004 to March 3, 2005

 

 

 

Presidential Search Committee

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors, upon the recommendation of the Presidential Search Committee, that the criteria and qualifications for the SU System President be and they are hereby approved.

 

Motion carried.  Atty. Clayton voted nay.

 

Informational items in the Committee=s report included:

 

 

-          The Chronicle of Higher Education - April 1 and 23

 

-          Black Issues in Higher Education - April 7 and 22

 

-          The Advocate and other Louisiana Newspapers

 

-          NAFEO

 

-          Colleges and Universities

 

-          SU System Websites

 

 

-          April 15 - Nominations and Inquiries

 

-          April 29 - Application packets

 

 

A motion by Atty. Clayton to delete the requirement of Aan earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning@ died for lack of a second.

 

 

 

 

Chairman Anderson requested Committee Chairman Atkins to develop a reasonable timeline for filling the President=s position if it was determined that additional time was needed; and, to make a recommendation to the Board at its next meeting.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7C:       RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCES

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for the Southern University System, that condolences be and they are hereby extended to the families listed below.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

-          The Shirley Jackson Minor Family

-          The Norbert Cyril Rayford Family

-          The Harold Mouton Family

-          The Jackie Neal Family

-          The Eloise Dokes Family

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7D: 2005 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University that the 2005 Football Schedule for Southern University - Baton Rouge, be and it is hereby approved.

 

Motion carried.  Atty. Clayton voted nay.

 

AGENDA ITEM 7E: SU AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENT STATION

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University that the SU System President be and he is hereby empowered to initiate steps to secure available funding to acquire land for the SU Agricultural Research and Experiment Station.

 

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

An update on this matter is to be tendered at every meeting until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 8: SYSTEM AND CAMPUS UPDATES

 

The reports are on file as well as on video and audio tapes.

 

In response to the update provided by the Administration in regard to parking solutions for the Law Center, Chairman Anderson advised the Administration to develop a master plan for campus parking.

 

The Administration will provide a status report at the April meeting on installation of fences for security enhancement on the SU Baton Rouge Campus.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 8: OTHER BUSINESS

 

The Board members were advised of an invitation from the SUBR Faculty Senate to engage in dialogue on April 28 at a place to be announced.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT

 

On motion of Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Nash, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

__________________________________

Secretary, SU Board of Supervisors

 

 

_________________________________

Chairman, SU Board of Supervisors