Special Meeting

Southern University Board of Supervisors

2:00 p.m.

Friday, May 13, 2005

Board of Supervisors  Meeting Room

2^nd Floor, J.S. Clark Administration Building

Southern University - Baton Rouge

 

MINUTES

 

The special 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.

 

PRESENT

Mr. Johnny G. Anderson, Chairman

Mr. Myron K. Lawson, Vice Chairman

Atty. Dale N. Atkins

Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.

Atty. Tony M. Clayton

Mr. S. Albert Gilliam

Mr. Walter Guidry, Jr.

Mr. John W. Joseph

Ms. Anne Z. Kiefer

Mr. Louis Miller

Mr. Murphy Nash, Jr.

Ms. Lea M. Polk

 

ABSENT

Dr. Angela J. Alexander

Mr. Richad J. Caiton

Mr. Achilles Williams

Mr. Quinten Atkins, Student Member

 

UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL ATTENDING

President Leon R. Tarver II

Vice Presidents Ralph Slaughter, Victor Ukpolo and Tolor White

Chancellor Edward R. Jackson

 

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 Ms. Kiefer, the agenda was adopted, as printed.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 5:         WAIVER OF TEN-DAY ADVANCE NOTICE FOR SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS

 

The notice for the May 13, 2005 special meeting did not meet the 10-day advance notice requirement, per the Board=s Bylaws; and thus, the following action was taken by the Board:

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, a quorum being present, that the ten-day advance notice requirement for Special Board meetings, per the Board=s Bylaws, was waived for the May 13, 2005 meeting.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

  

AGENDA ITEM 6:         EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR HEAD BASKETBALL COACH, SUBR

 

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 contract between Southern University at Baton Rouge and Mr. Robert Spivery to employ Mr. Spivery as Head Coach of Men=s Basketball for a term of five (5) years, beginning May 16, 2005 and continuing through May 15, 2010 be and it is hereby approved.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED that the base salary for this position is $125,000 annually, plus other compensations as stipulated in the contract.

 

Other provisions are specified in the document.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7:         PROPOSED FILM INSTITUTE CENTER, SUBR

 

Following the opening statement by Chancellor Jackson, the agenda was amended to provide for the discussion and recommendation regarding a Business and Research Park at SUBR.

 

On motion of Mr. Lawson, seconded by Atty. Atkins, the agenda was amended as follows:

 

Motion carried.  Atty. Clayton, voted nay.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 7:         PROPOSED FILM INSTITUTE  AND BUSINESS AND RESEARCH PARK, SUBR

 

Possible funding sources for the construction and development of the Southern University Business and Research Park (SUBRP) were presented by Chancellor Edward Jackson, who was assisted by State Representative Gary Beard and Dr. Greta Flowers, Research Associate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at SUBR.

 

The first funding source would evolve through the SU Capital Center for Environmental Excellence and Design (SUCCEED) in partnership with East Baton Rouge Parish to support a consent decree between the parish and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade the city-parish sewer treatment.

 

The second source of anticipated funds for the development of the motion picture industry in Louisiana is through the training of a workforce, utilizing trained the most modern film production and post-production infrastructure located at the Film Institute.

 

To facilitate the establishment of the Business and Research Park and to provide for the University to take advantage of these opportunities, the following approvals were requested:

 

•           The Administration be granted permission to enter into an affiliation agreement with a limited liability corporation to be formed with the SU System Foundation as its sole member.  This Corporation would conduct the operations of the SUBRP until a new corporation, the SU Business and Research Corporation (SUBRC), is formed and has obtained tax exempt, 501(C)(3) status.  Thereafter, the operations of the SU Business and Research Park would be under the auspices of the SU Business and Research Corporation.

 

•           The Administration be granted permission to establish SUBRC as a tax exempt corporation in order to provide for the SUBRP=s Contracting, Grant and Administrative Services, thereby enhancing the entity=s ability to gain financial resources to negotiate with the EPA for an alternative waste water project by the late July deadline date; and provide a mechanism for development of the Film Institute.

 

Considerable discussion ensued relative to the University=s involvement in the construction of a waste water treatment facility on Scenic Highway, next to the off-campus apartment complex.  Several members of the Board voiced their opposition to this proposal.

 

The following Board actions were approved.

 

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

 

RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, that the creation of a Film Institute Center at SUBR be and it is hereby approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

***

 

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 the concept of the Southern University Business and Research Park be and it is hereby approved with the stipulation that the Administration is not authorized to forward with implementation of a waste water treatment project without Board approval.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED that the SUBR Adminstration be and it is hereby authorized to place funds appropriated for the Business and Research Park in the SU System Foundation until the Business and Research Corporation is formed and has received tax exempt 501(C)(3) status.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED that said funds be placed in the SU System Foundation with safeguards to ensure that the funds are placed in a separate and restricted account.

 

The motion carried.  Atty. Clayton voted nay.  Atty. Atkins abstained.

 

The Administration was directed to make available to the SU System Foundation a copy of the Board's resolution requiring certain restrictions relative to the funds appropriated to the SUBRP.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 8: OTHER BUSINESS

 

The Administration was asked to provide an update on the SU Bond Project at the June Board meeting.

 

 

AGENDA ITEM 9: ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

 

 

______________________________

Secretary, SU Board of Supervisors

 

 

______________________________

Chairman, SU Board of Supervisors