LSU board chairman: ‘We’re very committed’ to the idea of merging top positions

There’s more work to be done before deciding to merge the positions of LSU System president and flagship campus chancellor, says Board of Supervisors Chairman Garret “Hank” Danos. But board members have moved past the “why” stage and are asking how the change might be implemented. “The board has expressed strong interest and desire,” Danos says, referring to one of three scenarios presented by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges: “seizing the opportunity” created by vacancies in both positions, the presence of a widely respected interim leader, William Jenkins, and fiscal pressures that make structural change more “sellable” to the public, “to create a single institution out of all member institutions.” A follow-up report by AGB, detailing best practices and possible models at other universities, is expected to be ready in time for the board’s Oct. 26 regular meeting. “Without saying we’re absolutely going to do this,” Danos says, “we’re very committed to going down that path, to get all the information we need to make a good choice.” The goal is to create a more cohesive system out of what AGB describes as a loose confederation, while still preserving some independence for the various campuses. Gov. Bobby Jindal, who appointed the current board, supports the change. To read AGB’s recent reports, click here and here. —David Jacobs