LSU Board approves reorganization and employment agreements amid Shreveport concerns

The LSU Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12 approved a series of governance changes and employment agreements that the board’s leaders said will strengthen the university system, even as State Sen. Thomas Presley urged a pause so Shreveport stakeholders can be fully briefed.

Sen. Thomas Presley of Senate District 38 told the board the plan to eliminate the chancellor title at the LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport and replace it with a senior vice chancellor reporting to Baton Rouge appears “contrary to the intent of the legislature,” citing a 2005 law that established a separate chancellor position. Presley said faculty, community leaders and the Shreveport Health Science Foundation were not aware of the change and asked the board to “pump the brakes” until stakeholders are consulted.

Chairman Ballard and President Wade Roos replied that the new structure is intended to make the LSU system more competitive while preserving local autonomy. “I can assure you that no autonomy will be lost,” Ballard said, adding the board fell short in communicating the change and will work to improve stakeholder engagement.

The board approved employment agreements for President Wade Roos and for Executive Vice President and Chancellor James Dalton. General counsel Trey Jones was present to answer board questions. The motions passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: The restructuring affects reporting lines for regional campuses and campus leadership, and Presley's remarks underscore concern among local legislators and community stakeholders about whether a change in titles will affect local decision‑making and funding for regional health programs.

What the board approved: The meeting record shows the board approved by voice vote the bylaws amendment clarifying board authority on appointments and a path for consultation in removals of chancellors and senior vice chancellors. The board then approved the employment agreements for Roos and Dalton; details of those contracts were recorded in the board packet.

Next steps: Board members said they will continue engagement with local leaders in northwest Louisiana and provide further detail about how the reorganization will affect funding lines, day‑to‑day decision‑making and the frequency of Baton Rouge–based leadership presence in Shreveport.

Board action: The bylaw amendment and the personnel motions were adopted during the meeting; the board recorded no roll‑call tallies in the transcript, approving items by voice vote.