Baton Rouge, October 3, 2025
News Summary
Louisiana State University is hastening its presidential search following the departure of former president William Tate. The committee aims to finalize a hire by the end of March. SSA Consultants will provide candidate names soon, with interviews scheduled shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, student protests have arisen over representation on the search committee, highlighting rising student activism and concerns about the process.
Baton Rouge – The committee responsible for selecting Louisiana State University’s (LSU) next president has expedited its timeline and is aiming to make a hire by the end of March 2023. The search comes in response to the recent departure of former president William Tate, who has taken a position at Rutgers University.
Christel Slaughter, the CEO of SSA Consultants, announced that her firm will provide the search committee with candidate names on October 10. Interviews are set to take place from October 10 to October 20, and the search committee plans to recommend finalists to the LSU Board of Supervisors by October 21. The Board of Supervisors may conduct a vote to appoint a new president during its meeting on October 24.
Initially, LSU Board Chairman Scott Ballard aimed to have a new president hired by the end of the year, but that timeline was later modified to before Thanksgiving. Even with the accelerated hiring process, the new president is expected to begin their role in the spring semester starting January 2024.
Applicant Statistics
Approximately 30 individuals applied for the presidential position. Of those, 20 met the qualification criteria, while 5 to 9 were distinguished as highly qualified candidates. LSU plans to keep the identities of applicants confidential until official candidates are determined.
Concerns Over Qualifications
Search committee member James Williams has expressed concerns regarding the qualifications being determined by the search firm without committee input. Despite these concerns, public interviews with the finalists are expected, typically conducted over two days, allowing for separate meetings with various campus groups, including students and faculty.
Protests and Arrests
In a related incident, several LSU students were arrested during a meeting of the presidential search committee. The students were protesting appointments made by Governor Jeff Landry, demanding more representation on the committee. One student, Gabriela Juarez, was forcibly removed while protesting and subsequently arrested for resisting an officer. Other students participated in blocking a police vehicle during Juarez’s arrest, leading to additional arrests.
Protesters argued that their voices were not being heard in the presidential search process. LSU has stated that all individuals had the opportunity to participate during the public comment period and emphasized that maintaining safety and order was a priority during the meeting.
Conclusion
The intensified presidential search process at LSU reflects ongoing challenges and changes within the university as it seeks to appoint a new leader amid rising student activism and concerns over representation.
FAQ
What is the timeline for LSU’s presidential search?
The committee responsible for selecting LSU’s next president has shifted its timeline to make a hire by the end of March 2023.
When will candidate names be submitted?
Christel Slaughter, CEO of SSA Consultants, stated that her firm will submit candidate names to the search committee on October 10.
When will interviews for candidates occur?
Interviews for the candidates are scheduled to occur from October 10 to October 20.
What is the expected date for appointing a new president?
The Board of Supervisors may vote to appoint a new president during its meeting on October 24.
Why is the search for a new president being expedited?
This search follows the departure of William Tate, who left to become president of Rutgers University.
How many individuals applied for the presidential position?
Approximately 30 individuals applied for the presidential position, with 20 meeting the qualification criteria and 5 to 9 distinguished as highly qualified candidates.
What are the student concerns regarding the presidential search?
Protesters demanded more student representation on the presidential search committee, arguing that their voices were not being heard.
Key Features of LSU Presidential Search
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Search Timeline | End of March 2023 |
| Candidate Names Submission | October 10, 2022 |
| Interviews Schedule | October 10 – October 20, 2022 |
| Finalists Recommendation Deadline | October 21, 2022 |
| Board of Supervisors Vote | October 24, 2022 |
| Number of Applicants | 30 Total; 20 Qualified; 5-9 Highly Qualified |
| Protests | Demand for increased student representation |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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LSU Outlines Ambitious Goals and Recent Achievements
LSU Interim President Unveils Ambitious University Vision
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Julia Letlow Declines LSU Presidency, Weighs Senate Run
Julia Letlow Announces She’s Not Pursuing LSU Presidency
Willis Knighton Partners with Mayo Clinic to Enhance Healthcare
LSU Begins Search for New President Amid Leadership Changes
Additional Resources
- La Illuminator
- Wikipedia: Louisiana State University
- WBRZ News
- Google Search: LSU presidential search
- KPEL 965
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