A national search for the next Southern University chancellor is slated after the Southern University System Board of Supervisors decided Monday in an 8-7 vote not to renew Southern University Chancellor James Llorens’ contract. The board reconvened in a special session to revisit its February 10 decision not to move on with Llorens. His last day in charge of the flagship campus will be June 30.
The special session was called after students, alumni and other supporters voiced disapproval when the board decided not to give Llorens a one-year extension, based on the initial recommendations of SU System President Ronald Mason Jr. The decision to oust Llorens was made after Mason recommended the board renew his contract only if certain organizational changes were made, which ultimately would give Mason more authority over the campus. Similar administrative changes were made at Louisiana State University last year, when F. King Alexander assumed the role of president of the LSU System and chancellor of the university.
“I believe he (Mason) has done a major injustice to this board and university,” said former SU System Board Chair Johnny Anderson. “If the president thinks he can just quiet this down within two weeks and it’s business as usual, he’s mistaken. Blatant disregard for the university’s stakeholders can result in political problems for the university, fiscal problems for the university and support problems for the university because obviously, you’re not listening to what the stakeholders are saying.”
Six board members initially voted to extend Llorens’ contract. Whether a board member voted for or against the extension to support Llorens’ in his stance against Mason is still unclear by many supporters.
“Certain board members just can’t hide behind the excuse that they voted a certain way to benefit the chancellor. They can’t hide behind any longer,” Anderson said. “If that was the case why didn’t they present an alternative motion?
“I certainly applaud those people who stood up and compromised in favor of Dr. Llorens,” Anderson said. “But the really sad part is that all this boils down to a lot of people posturing for positions and the university is suffering while folks want to be chairman of the board or chancellor and all of this is just adverse to the betterment of our university.”
