2. University Governance and Administration

2.1 Louisiana Board of Regents

The Board of Regents, a state agency created by the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, coordinates all public higher education in Louisiana. The Board began operations January 1, 1975, succeeding the Coordinating Council for Higher Education.

The 15 volunteer members of the Board of Regents are appointed by the governor to six-year, overlapping terms, with at least one (but not more than two) Regents drawn from each of Louisiana’s seven Congressional districts. In addition, the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents appoints one student member as its representative on the Board.

Policies and decisions of the Board of Regents are administered by a fulltime staff headed by the Commissioner of Higher Education.

Through statewide academic planning and review, budgeting and performance funding, research, and accountability, the Board of Regents coordinates the efforts of the state’s 34 public colleges, universities and professional schools and serves as the state liaison to Louisiana’s accredited, independent institutions of higher learning. While not involved in overseeing the day-to-day operations of college campuses, the Board of Regents is responsible for setting important statewide standards including minimum admissions requirements as well as benchmarks and targets for the GRAD Act, Louisiana’s signature higher education reform policy. The Board of Regents represents the public higher education community before all branches of government and the public and maintains close contact with student interests through the Council of Student Body Presidents.

For additional information, go to http://regents.state.la.us/

2.2 Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

Article VIII, Section 7 of the 1974 Louisiana State Constitution created the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College with authority to supervise and manage the institutions, statewide agricultural programs, and other programs administered through its system. The constitution provides that the membership of the Board is composed of two members from each congressional district and one member from the state at large, appointed by the Governor with confirmation of the Senate. Those members serve six-year terms, which are staggered. In addition, a student member is selected to serve a one-year term.

For additional information, go to https://lsu.edu/bos/index.php/board-of-supervisors/

2.3 LSU President

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) is a member of the Louisiana State University (LSU) system, which includes a statewide network of four universities, two comprehensive health sciences centers, an agricultural center, a biomedical research center, and a health care services division. Article IX, Section 2 of the Bylaws of the Board of Supervisors outlines the duties of the LSU president. The president is the chief executive officer of the University in all its divisions and campuses and is responsible to the Board of Supervisors for the conduct of the University in all of its affairs, and executes and enforces all the decisions, orders, rules, and regulations of the Board with respect to the conduct of the University.

For additional information, go to https://www.lsu.edu/president/​

2.4 LSUHSC-S Administration

Responsibilities and reporting lines for the administrative structure of LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) are described in the following subsections. An organizational chart for the LSUHSC-S can be found at the following link: https://inside.lsuhs.edu/Departments/Administration/Documents/LSUHS Org Chart 2020.pdf

2.4.1 Chancellor

In accordance with Article VII, Section 4 of the Bylaws of the Board of Supervisors, the Chancellor exercises complete executive authority over the institution, subject to the direction and control of the President of the LSU System and the Board of Supervisors.

2.4.2 Vice Chancellor For Clinical Affairs

The Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs is responsible for promoting clinical programs of the Health Sciences Center, fostering clinical affiliations with community healthcare entities, and representing the University in discussions with external agencies about clinical programs.

2.4.3 Vice Chancellor For Administration and Finance

The Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance is responsible to the Chancellor for administrative matters of the Health Sciences Center and provides immediate oversight of the general operations of the University.

2.4.4 Vice Chancellor for Research

The Vice Chancellor for Research oversees the research enterprise of the institution and supports investigators throughout the conduct of research and discovery with the aim of promoting a culture that drives innovation, collaboration, and recognition of LSUHSC-S researchers.

2.4.5 Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs oversees the academic mission of the institution and provides leadership and support for academic programs, educational initiatives, academic policy, faculty affairs, student affairs, and accreditation.

2.4.6 Dean

The Dean is the chief administrative officer of a School and is responsible for providing leadership and administrative support to the programs and faculty of the school.

The Schools of the University are:

• School of Medicine
• School of Graduate Studies
• School of Allied Health Professions

2.5 Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is a representative body responsible for faculty participation in university planning and shared governance. The Senate is also an advisory and consultative body to the Chancellor on policies and other issues related to the general welfare and responsibilities of the faculty. The Faculty Senate shall consist of fifteen elected members of the Faculty of which three shall be elected from each of the following: the Basic and Clinical Science faculty of the School of Medicine/School of Graduate Studies (three Clinical, three Basic Science), and the faculty of the School of Allied Health Professions. There shall also be one additional member from the Basic Sciences faculty, three additional members from the Clinical Sciences faculty, and one member elected from the Graduate Faculty to represent the School of Graduate Studies. One member shall be elected at-large to represent the Faculty at the Council of Faculty Advisors and the LSU Board of Supervisors’ meetings.

Additional information about the Faculty Senate can be found at the following URL:

https://www.lsuhs.edu/our-schools/faculty/senate

2.6 Councils and Committees

An effectively organized system of councils and committees is essential to the operation of the University. Councils and committees serve a variety of functions, which contribute to the achievement of the institutional mission. Councils and committees:

• keep the several elements of the university informed of the conditions, policies, and decisions which affect their responsibilities and welfare;
• are a means of marshaling the wide range of knowledge and expertise on all subjects available to the university so that it can contribute to decision-making;
• provide a liaison between officers of the university and other areas of university, especially the faculty (through consultation, policy review, and exploration of disagreements, a sound relationship can be maintained among all members of the university community); and
• bring representatives of the appropriate groups in the university together at an early stage in the process of planning and development of policy and programs

To achieve full effectiveness, councils and committees must be:

• representative of the groups appropriate to their particular functions;
• consulted regularly on a schedule that allows time for participation;
• afforded full and immediate access to the information relevant to their interest;
• able to exercise initiative and review actions as well as respond to proposals put before them; and
• given the benefit of a formal response from the appropriate academic and administrative offices to proposed recommendations or actions.

All councils and committees are given clearly stated charges in writing, and they are asked to make periodic reports to their constituent bodies.

The committee structure of the university is kept flexible by periodic review and revision, assuring that committee work does not absorb an undue amount of faculty, staff, and student time. A current listing of councils and committees, their charges, and their membership is maintained in the Office of the Chancellor.

Standing committees provide the Chancellor and his staff with counsel and assistance regarding areas of the university activity, which are important to the fulfillment of the institutional mission. Standing committees are established by recommendation from the faculty and staff and approval of the Chancellor or his designee. Committees may be altered in their function or abolished upon recommendation of the faculty and staff and approval of the Chancellor or his designee.

The membership of a standing committee varies with its function, and the terms of membership are stated when a committee is established. Membership selection and appointment to standing committees are done by the Chancellor, Dean of related school, and/or Committee on Committees. A listing of standing committees with their charters can be found in Article IV of the Faculty Bylaws.

2.7 Policies and Procedures

2.7.1 Louisiana Board of Regents Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures

Bylaws for the internal operation and the transaction of business for the Board of Regents for the State of Louisiana can be found at the following URL: https://regents.la.gov/about/the-louisiana-board-of-regents/bylaws/

In addition, the Academic Affairs policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents can be found at the following URL: https://regents.la.gov/divisions/planning-research-and-academic-affairs/academic-affairs/academic-affairs-policies-and-procedures/

Policies and procedures of special interest to the faculty include the following:

2.04 Letters of Intent for Projected New Academic Programs

2.05 Proposals for New Academic Programs/Research Units

2.06 Board of Regents Reviews of Existing Academic Programs/Units

2.7.2 Bylaws and Regulations of The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

The Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is vested by law with the authority to supervise and manage the institutions, statewide agricultural programs, and other programs administered through its system. In order to effectively fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Board of Supervisors adopts and adheres to the Bylaws and Regulations of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

The Bylaws and Regulations are available at the following URL:

• Bylaws: https://www.lsu.edu/bos/docs/2022-bylaws-final-dec2022.pdf
• Rules and Regulations: https://www.lsu.edu/bos/docs/2021-rules-regulations-august2021.pdf

The following sections may be of particular interest to faculty:

• Bylaws Article X - Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities of the Academic Staff
• Rules and Regulations Article II - Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure

2.7.3 LSU System Permanent Memoranda

Permanent Memoranda (PM) represent policies of the Louisiana State University System and are binding on all institutions of the System. PMs address policy issues that are of a system-wide character and are established for the purpose of System administrative governance. PMs may implement or interpret laws, rules, regulations, and reflect LSU System policies.

The LSU System takes care to assure that PMs, when issued, are in compliance with applicable controlling laws, rules, regulations, and policies. However, it is recognized that changes in such laws, rules, regulations, and policies may result in all or a portion of a PM becoming incorrect or outdated until necessary revision is made. In such cases, those portions of PMs that are contrary to or in conflict with any controlling law, rule, regulation, or policy are superseded. To the extent that the remainder of a PM is unaffected by a change in controlling laws, rules, regulations, or policies, the remaining portion of the PM will remain valid and in effect (unless the PM itself states otherwise). PMs do not form a part of any employee’s contract or appointment with the University or grant rights to any party.

A complete listing of all Permanent Memoranda can be found at the following URL:

https://www.lsu.edu/administration/policies/permanentmemoranda.php

Specific PMs of interest to LSUHSC-S faculty include the following:

2.7.4 LSUHSC-S Chancellor’s Memoranda

Chancellor’s Memoranda (CM) are official statements issued by the Chancellor setting forth institutional policies that have institution-wide or inter-divisional impact. Chancellor Memoranda do not include instructions or procedural guidance for operationalization. The Office of the Chancellor has sole discretion on these policies. A complete listing of all Chancellor Memoranda can be found at the following URL:

https://inside.lsuhs.edu/Departments/Administration/pages/Default.aspx?tab=Pages&active=4&title=Chancellor%27s%20Memoranda

CMs of special interest to LSUHSC-S faculty include the following:

2.7.5 LSUHSC-S Administrative Directives

Administrative Directives are instructions or procedural guidance for the operation of LSUHSC-S in compliance with applicable law, rules, regulations, and policies. Administrative Directives are products of a broad-based, formal review process within the university, with final approval by the Chancellor. A complete listing of all Administrative Directives can be found at the following URL:

https://inside.lsuhs.edu/Departments/Administration/Pages/default.aspx?tab=Pages&active=5&title=Administrative%20Directives

Administrative Directives of special interest to LSUHSC-S faculty include the following: