Special Meeting
Southern University Board of Supervisors
10:00 a.m.
Friday, October 7, 2005
Board of Supervisors= Meeting
Room
2nd Floor, J.S. Clark Administration
Building
Southern University - Baton Rouge
MINUTES
The
Special Meeting of the Southern University Board of Supervisors was called to
order by the Chairman, Mr. Johnny G. Anderson.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry.
PRESENT
Mr. Johnny G. Anderson, Chair
Dr. Angela J. Alexander
Atty. Dale N. Atkins
Rev. Jesse B. Bilberry, Jr.
Mr. Richard J. Caiton
Mr. S. Albert Gilliam
Mr. Walter Guidry
Mr. Ramonte Hannon
Mr. John W. Joseph
Mr. Louis Miller
Ms. Lea M. Polk
Mr. Achilles Williams
ABSENT
Mr. Myron K. Lawson, Vice
Chair
Atty. Tony M. Clayton
Ms. Anne Z. Kiefer
Mr. Murphy Nash, Jr.
UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL
ATTENDING
Interim System
President/Chancellor Edward R. Jackson
Vice Presidents Ralph
Slaughter, Victor Ukpolo and Tolor White
Chancellors Ray Belton,
Robert Gex, Freddie Pitcher and Leodrey Williams
Executive Vice Chancellor
Margaret Ambrose
BOARD COUNSEL
Attys. Winston DeCuir, Sr.
and Trevor Bryan
AGENDA ITEM 3: WAIVER OF THE TEN-DAY ADVANCE NOTICE OF
REQUIREMENT
On
motion of Atty. Atkins, seconded by Rev. Bilberry, the Board voted to waive the
ten-day advance notice requirement for Special Board Meetings.
Motion carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM 4: ADOPTION OF
THE AGENDA
On
motion of Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Gilliam, the agenda was adopted, as
amended.
Motion carried unanimously.
AMENDMENTS:
Add: Item
7C: SU Endowments
Item 7D: Performance Responsibility for recently
employed Director
of SU System Foundation
Item
7E: SU Rural Initiatives
AGENDA ITEM 5: PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Expressions
of appreciation for assistance rendered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were
extended to the Board, Administration and Staff by SGA President Avis White on
behalf of the SUNO student body; and New Orleans area Board members Dale N.
Atkins, Richard J. Caiton and Lea M. Polk.
Board
Member Gilliam spoke concerning the pool of expertise available through members
of the Board in the SUNO Recovery Effort.
He requested that Board members be contacted for their input and
assistance in the future.
Chairman
Anderson urged Board members to volunteer their assistance, where they saw a
need they could address.
AGENDA ITEM 6: USA vs. STATE OF LOUISIANA DESEGREGATION
LAWSUIT, MONITORING COMMITTEE=S
REPORT AND CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE ACTION (Executive Session)
On
motion of Mr. Caiton, seconded by Ms. Polk, the Board convened into an
executive session to discuss the USA vs. State of Louisiana Desegregation
Lawsuit, Monitoring Committee=s report and to consider future action.
Motion carried unanimously. Roll call vote:11 yeas:
Anderson, Alexander, Atkins, Bilberry, Caiton, Gilliam, Guidry, Joseph, Miller,
Polk, and Williams; 0 nays, 0 abstentions
- EXECUTIVE SESSION -
Mr. Ramonte Hannon entered
the meeting.
- OPEN SESSION -
On
motion of Atty. Atkins, seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board returned to open
session.
Motion carried unanimously. Roll call vote:12 yeas: Anderson, Alexander, Atkins, Bilberry,
Caiton, Gilliam, Guidry, Joseph, Miller, Polk, Williams, and Hannon ; 0 nays, 0
abstentions
***
On
motion of Ms. Polk, seconded by Mr. Caiton, the System=s attorney was authorized fo file the necessary
motions in the Desegregation Case in order to extend its expiration date beyond
December 31, 2005 to ensure that SUNO is re-established and maintained at the
level contemplated by the Settlement Agreement.
Motion carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM 7:
INFORMATIONAL UPDATE
a. SUNO Recovery Plans
The
Board received a status report on SUNO=s
efforts to rebuild, strengthen and enhance its academic enterprises in the wake
of Hurricane Katrina.
Specifically,
the Administration presented action plans from the SUNO Colleges of Business,
Education, Arts and Social Sciences, Science and the School of Social
Work. Hiring and retention of quality
facility and the contributions of research and sponsored programs were also
addressed.
In
the area of student life enhancements, the plan focused on the implementation
of summer school, distance and e-learning, continuing education and the weekend
college. Outreach, engagement and the
University=s Information Technology infrastructure are targeted
for renewed emphasis.
Additional
highlights pertaining to SUNO=s recovery related to FEMA=s expected assistance in providing 100-150 trailers on
the SUNO North Campus for staff and student occupancy; and the location of SUNO
classroom facilities in a downtown New Orleans location and/or at the Sophie B.
Wright Charter School.
AGENDA ITEM 7B: SU BOND
PROJECT
An
update on the SU Bond Project was given by Atty. Winston DeCuir, Sr. A copy of his report is on file in the Board=s Office.
AGENDA ITEM 7C: SU
ENDOWMENTS
Deferred.
AGENDA ITEM 7D: PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITY OF
RECENTLY EMPLOYED SU SYSTEM FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Deferred.
AGENDA ITEM 7E: SU RURAL
INITIATIVES
Chancellor
Leodrey Williams provided the report on efforts relative to the Ag Center=s Rural Initiatives.
It was noted that this area has been augmented by the involvement
of a team of persons from the SU Law
Center. A Town Hall meeting to further
promote programs and other initiatives fostered by the Ag Center will be held
on October 27 in Opelousas, LA.
***
On
motion of Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Williams, the agenda was amended to
obtain the Board=s approval of a resolution of commendation to Lt.
General Russell Honore for the recognition he has brought to his Alma Mater,
Southern University. Lt. General Honore
is the U.S. appointed General Officer heading the Army National Guard
Contingent deployed to New Orleans, following Hurricane Katrina.
Motion carried unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM 8: ADJOURNMENT
On
motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Dr. Alexander, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________
Chairman,
SU Board of Supervisors
_____________________________
Secretary,
SU Board of Supervisors