A major reorganization of LSU’s colleges and departments is proceeding according to schedule or has had the brakes applied, depending on whom you talk to. LSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget, who is in charge of the reorganization, says the plan is moving forward according to the process announced to the LSU community April 14. A transition team will be announced this week to address implementation issues, she says.
But the president of the LSU Faculty Senate, the LSU AgCenter chancellor and a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors say the process appears to have slowed significantly down after complaints from faculty. Announced at a faculty forum, the realignment plan was greeted with skepticism by deans and other faculty members. Many felt excluded from a planning process they believe was rushed and ill-timed, considering the university’s budget crisis. The deadline for implementation was to be July 1.
LSU Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope says LSU faculty’s negative reaction to the plan was stronger than any he’s witnessed at the university. Also, Cope says a recent hour-long meeting with LSU Chancellor Mike Martin assured him that, while some changes could take place this summer, “by no means is this whole plan going into effect.”
“All the evidence points the other way,” Cope says. “If you get right down to it, it’s still not clear exactly what’s happening, but I believe from assurances given by the chancellor that we are not under this July 1 ramrod.” For a full version of this story, click here.—Steve Clark
