Southern University Board of Supervisors public meetings in 2020

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University Board of Supervisors will consider over 20 action items, including approval of salary and wage increases for faculty and unclassified employees across multiple campuses, a new distance education learning fee, and a revised Spring 2021 academic calendar. The board will also elect officers for 2021 and vote on personnel actions for positions with salaries of $60,000 or more.

• Request Approval of Salary and Wage Increases for Faculty and Unclassified Employees (System, SUBR, SUNO, SULC, Ag Center)
• Request Approval to Establish a Distance Education Learning Fee (SUBR, SUNO, SUSLA, SULC)
• Request Approval of Revised Spring 2021 Academic Calendar (SUBR, SUNO, SUSLA)
• Personnel actions: Tracie Abraham ($80,000), Tracey Barley ($120,000), Tyra Davis-Brown ($85,000), Anthony Jackson ($90,000), Zackeus Johnson ($80,000), Runnell J. King ($64,000), Michael Taylor ($90,000)
• Request Approval of Agreement with Premium Parking Service, L.L.C. for SUSLA parking

The Board of Supervisors elected Atty. Domoine Rutledge as Chair and Mr. Edwin Shorty as Vice Chairman for 2021. The board approved several global action items, including faculty tenure recommendations, a new distance education learning fee, and salary increases for faculty and unclassified employees.

• Elected Atty. Domoine Rutledge as Chair of the Board of Supervisors
• Elected Mr. Edwin Shorty as Vice Chairman of the Board
• Approved Revised Spring 2021 Academic Calendar for SUBR, SUNO, and SUSLA
• Approved 2019-2020 Faculty Tenure and Promotion Recommendations for SUBR
• Approved establishment of a Distance Education Learning Fee for SUBR, SUNO, SUSLA, and SULC
• Approved salary and wage increases for Faculty and Unclassified Employees system-wide
• Approved naming the Southern University at New Orleans Museum of Art (SUNOMA)
• Approved 3-year parking management agreement with Premium Parking Service, L.L.C. for SUSLA

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors denied a tenure appeal for Dr. Keytunda Ogunkoya and recommended approval of the FY 2021-2022 budget requests for all system campuses. The board also approved the Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan and several personnel appointments and leave requests.

• Denied tenure appeal for Dr. Keytunda Ogunkoya (Unanimous)
• Recommended approval of FY 2021-2022 Budget Requests for SUS, SUBR, SULC, SUNO, SUSLA, and SUAREC
• Recommended approval of Southern University System Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan
• Recommended approval of COVID-19 Special Grading Policy extension to 2020-2021 academic year
• Approved Southern University System Drug-Free Policy
• Approved personnel actions including salary adjustment for Marina Biragova to $75,000 and new appointments for Taisheika Davis ($85,000) and Darrin Dixon ($90,000)
• Approved extended medical leave for Ms. D’Andrea Lee and extended annual leave for Dr. Cheryl Taylor
• Approved five MOUs involving SULC and partners including University of New Orleans and National Wildlife Federation

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors and its committees are meeting to review budget requests for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and a five-year capital outlay plan. The body will also consider personnel appointments, academic policies, and several memorandums of understanding for the Law Center.

• FY 2021-2022 Budget Requests for SUS, SUBR, SULC, SUNO, SUSLA, and SUAREC
• Southern University System Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan
• Personnel appointments including Taisheika Davis ($85,000), Darrin Dixon ($90,000), and Marina Biragova ($66,000)
• Extension of COVID-19 Special Grading Policy to 2020-2021 academic year
• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University Board of Supervisors is meeting to vote on various academic programs, including new certificates at SUSLA and a Common Law Track for the Law Center. The board will also review several personnel appointments and salary adjustments for positions earning $60,000 or more.

• Establishment of Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology (SUSLA)
• Creation of a Common Law Track for the Southern University Law Center
• Approval of personnel actions including a $164,000 salary for Teresa Hardee (SUNO) and a $150,000 appointment for Greg Sergienko (SULC)
• Authorization to initiate a focused search for the Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans
• Approval of a cooperative resolution with the City of New Orleans (SUNO)

The Board approved several new degrees and certificates for SUSLA, a new leadership institute and law track for SULC, and a focused search for the SUNO Chancellor. Additionally, the Board authorized a $100,000 grant resolution for SUNO and a job placement MOU with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.

• Approved Associate of Applied Science in Engineering Technology and three technical certificates for SUSLA
• Approved the Southern University Strategic Leadership Institute and a Common Law Track for SULC
• Approved a Cooperative Resolution with the City of New Orleans for a $100,000 grant to SUNO School of Social Work
• Approved MOU with Baton Rouge Area Chamber for the Handshake Initiative (SUBR)
• Authorized a focused search for the SUNO Chancellor with requirements for national solicitation and community involvement
• Approved Use Agreement with Baton Rouge Student Housing, LLC for Palisades Apartments (SUBR)
• Approved personnel actions for seven positions with salaries ranging from $72,000 to $164,000
• Approved 2020 Self-Evaluation, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, and Scorecard Assessment Data

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University Board of Supervisors is meeting in a special virtual session to consider two action items. First, they will vote on waiving the notice requirement to proceed with an emergency meeting. Second, they will consider and authorize acceptance of a deferment of principal and interest payments for the Future and Advance Project Funding Bonds (SUBR Series 2017-5 and 2017-6; SUSLA Series 2017-2) offered by the US Department of Education, and authorize the Chairman, President, and Chancellor to execute necessary documents.

• Waiver of ten-day notice requirement under Southern University System Bylaws for emergency meeting
• Acceptance of deferment of principal and interest payments for SUBR Series 2017-5 and 2017-6 bonds
• Acceptance of deferment for SUSLA Series 2017-2 bonds
• Authorization for Chairman Domoine Rutledge, President Ray Belton, and Chancellor Rodney Ellis to execute documents

The Board of Supervisors approved the deferment of principal and interest payments for specific project funding bonds offered by the U.S. Department of Education. The board also waived the ten-day notice requirement to hold the emergency meeting.

• Waived ten-day notice requirement for emergency meeting (Approved)
• Authorized SUBR and SUSLA to accept deferment of principal and interest payments for Future and Advance Project Funding Bonds Series 2017-5, 2017-6, and 2017-2 (Approved)

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is meeting to approve operating budgets for the Southern University System and its campuses. The body is also considering several new personnel appointments and policy updates regarding COVID-19 and Title IX.

• FY2020-2021 Operating Budgets for all system campuses and administration
• Personnel appointments including a Vice-Chancellor for Finance at SUAREC for $145,000
• Approval of a COVID-19 Face Covering policy for the Southern University System
• Amendment to the Follett, Inc. bookstore contract and access fee for e-books
• Approval of a Campus Technology Access Fee and Math Lab Course Fee adjustments for SUSLA

The Board of Supervisors approved the FY2020-2021 operating budgets for the system and its campuses. The board also approved 16 personnel appointments and salary adjustments and ratified several academic and administrative policies.

• Approved FY2020-2021 Operating Budgets for system and all campuses
• Approved 16 personnel actions for positions $60,000 or greater
• Approved Action Items 5A-5N globally, including Summer 2020 graduates ratification
• Approved System Uniform Title IX Policy and Procedures
• Approved COVID-19 Face Covering policy
• Approved 3+3 BA/BS and JD Degree Program agreement with Boise State University
• Approved budget adjustment BA-7 for SUBR and SUSLA
• Approved resolutions for Judge Charles L. Elloie and seven others, plus John Robert Lewis

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Legal Affairs Committee and Board of Supervisors will meet to discuss a federal lawsuit alleging FMLA violations. The full Board will also consider approving minutes from previous special meetings and a personnel action for an Associate Professor of Nursing.

• Discussion of Dr. Cheryl Taylor v. Dr. Ray L. Belton regarding alleged FMLA violations
• Approval of minutes from June 12, 2020, and July 6, 2020, special meetings
• Personnel action for Dr. Cheryl Taylor as Associate Professor of Nursing at $80,000.00

The Board of Supervisors approved the minutes from two previous special virtual meetings. The Board also approved a personnel action for Dr. Cheryl Taylor as Associate Professor of Nursing at SUBR with a salary of $80,000.00 funded by the state.

• Approved minutes from Special Virtual Meetings on June 12, 2020 and July 6, 2020
• Approved personnel action for Dr. Cheryl Taylor, Associate Professor of Nursing (SUBR), salary $80,000.00 (State funding)

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University System Board of Supervisors is meeting to swear in new board members and review personnel actions. The board is requested to approve salaries and appointments for 10 positions across SULC and SUBR campuses.

• Personnel action for Deleso Alford, OCIS Director, at $135,000.00
• Personnel action for Jacqueline Gibson Preastly, VC of Enrollment Management and Student Success, at $130,000.00
• Personnel action for Angela Gaines, OCIS Facilities Coordination, at $96,000.00
• Personnel action for Andrienne Shields, OCIS Library Resource Coordination, at $90,000.00
• Personnel action for Gregory Speyrer, OCIS Technology Coordination, at $87,000.00

The Board of Supervisors approved nine personnel actions involving appointments and salary adjustments. One personnel action regarding Dr. Cheryl Taylor was referred to the Legal Affairs Committee following news of a lawsuit.

• Approved agenda for July special meeting
• Approved 9 personnel actions including new appointments and salary adjustments (Motion by Sam Gilliam)
• Referred item 10 regarding Dr. Cheryl Taylor to the Legal Affairs Committee

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors will vote on numerous action items including an updated extra compensation policy, a laptop fee for freshmen, suspension of athletic and other fees at SUNO, early retirement plans, and a COVID-19 testing agreement. They will also consider personnel appointments for positions over $60,000 and an honorary doctorate.

• Request approval of updated Extra Compensation Policy and Implementation Plan for Sponsored Programs (SUBR)
• Request approval of Laptop Fee for First-time Freshmen (SUBR)
• Request approval to suspend Athletic, Cheerleading, and Live Text Fees for Summer 2020 and Fall 2021 (SUNO)
• Request approval of Early Retirement Incentive Plans (SULC)
• Request approval of personnel actions for 5 positions, including Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at $130,000 (SUBR)

The Board of Supervisors approved several structural changes, including separating student affairs and enrollment management at SUBR. The board also authorized a new $600 technology fee for incoming freshmen and approved various budget and personnel updates.

• Approved $600 laptop fee for incoming SUBR freshmen (with opt-out provisions)
• Approved restructuring of SUBR Student Affairs and Enrollment Management into two divisions
• Approved restructuring Internal Audit budgets to the System level
• Approved updated Extra Compensation Policy for SUBR faculty and staff
• Approved revised organizational structure for SU Ag Center (SUAREC)
• Approved suspension of SUNO athletic, cheerleading, and Live Text fees
• Approved Early Retirement Incentive Plans for SULC faculty and staff
• Approved $800 E-book fee for upper-level Law students

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University Board of Supervisors is reviewing several academic and administrative actions, including the distribution plan for emergency CARES Act student funds. The meeting also includes discussions on COVID-19 special grading policies across all campuses and various personnel appointments.

• Action plan for distribution of CARES Act emergency student funds
• Approval of COVID-19 Special Grading Policies for SUBR, SUNO, SUSLA, and SULC
• New appointment of Muhammad M. Rahman as Dean of Graduate School at $145,000.00
• New appointment of Karen Crosby as Dean of Honors College at $120,000.00
• Approval of fees for Online Graduate Certificate and Supply Chain Management

The Board of Supervisors approved several academic and financial items, including a new $100,000 nursing scholarship fund and an online hospitality degree program. The Board also approved personnel appointments for various university positions and updated fee schedules for summer 2020.

• Approved establishment of the David Raines Endowed Scholarship Fund ($100k total) (15-0)
• Approved appointment of Dr. Fitzgerald Spencer as Professor Emeritus (14-0)
• Approved renaming Bachelor of General Studies to Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies at SUNO (15-0)
• Approved Letter of Intent for online Hospitality and Food Industry Leadership degree at SUBR (15-0)
• Approved resolutions for conferring Spring 2020 degrees across all campuses (15-0)
• Approved endowed professorships at SULC (14-0)
• Approved SUNO 2019-2020 tenure and promotions (14-0)
• Approved promotion of Prentice White to Full Professor at SULC (14-0)

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University Board of Supervisors will meet on February 21, 2020, in Shreveport. Committees will consider academic approvals, facilities updates, finance requests, governance policies, and personnel actions. The full board will then vote on committee recommendations, including a new General Counsel, a Vulnerable Communities & People Initiative, and several memoranda of understanding.

• Approval of Professor Emeritus status for Dr. Ali Fazely (SUBR)
• Approval of new General Counsel Corinne Blache at $140,000 (SUS)
• Approval of 2020-2021 Academic Catalog (SUSLA)
• Approval of Letter of Intent for Vulnerable Communities & People Initiative (SULC)
• Approval of MOU with IBM Global University Programs (SUS)

The Board of Supervisors approved a new minimum admissions policy for SUBR and SUNO, establishing specific GPA and ACT requirements for first-time freshmen. The Board also approved various personnel appointments, committee reports, and several institutional agreements.

• Approved new minimum admission standards for SUBR and SUNO (Global)
• Approved Professor Emeritus status for Dr. Ali Fazely
• Approved prior service credit for Professor Deleso Alford
• Approved Dr. Shelby Sanders Endowed First Generation Undergraduate Scholarship
• Approved 2020-2021 Academic Catalog and 2017-2020 Faculty Handbook
• Approved use of prior year funds for SUNO (Global)
• Approved various SUSLA policies including student complaint and transcript resend policies
• Approved eight personnel actions, including new appointments and salary adjustments

Southern University Board of Supervisors

The Southern University Board of Supervisors will meet in committees and full board on January 10, 2020. Key action items include a request to suspend the SUNO Athletics Program and withdraw from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, approval of several policies (minimum credit hours, conflict of interest, refund, fundraising), and personnel actions for positions with salaries up to $140,000. The full board will also consider a lease/option to purchase Howell Place and receive updates.

• Suspension of SUNO Athletics Program and withdrawal from Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
• Approval of MOU between SUBR and SU System Foundation for equipment leasing
• Approval of policies: minimum credit hours for bachelor's degree, conflict of interest, registration refund, fundraising
• Personnel actions including interim appointments and new positions (e.g., Edward Willis, Interim VC for Student Affairs at $140,000)
• Lease/option to purchase Howell Place

The Board of Supervisors approved the suspension of the Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) athletics program and its withdrawal from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference to reduce deficits and meet accreditation requirements. The board also approved several personnel appointments, campus policies, and equipment leasing agreements.

• Approved suspension of SUNO Athletics Program and withdrawal from Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
• Approved MOU between SUBR and SU System Foundation for equipment leasing
• Approved MOU between SUBR and SU System Foundation for lease/option to purchase Howell Place
• Approved policy for minimum program credit hours for SUBR bachelor's degrees
• Approved SU Board of Supervisors' Conflict of Interest Policy
• Approved SUSLA registration refund policy
• Approved SUSLA fundraising policy for campus organizations
• Approved 9 personnel actions including new appointments and title changes