Board Denies Mason

A recent decision made by the Board of Supervisors (BOS) at Southern University could have a big impact on the Fall 2014-Spring 2015 school year for both Southern University’s flagship campus, and its sister campuses. President Ronald Mason, who’s been in office since July 1, 2010 will be completing his term without a one-year contract extension. His term will end in July of 2015. 
As the Southern University community continues to recover from the loss of former Chancellor, James Llorens, the campus must soon begin its search for the two most powerful positions on campus; Chancellor and President. When the board allowed for comments from the audience, no one stepped forward in confidence that Mason would do the university well if his contract was extended, instead, the Southern community voiced opinions such as, “an extremely long nightmare of Mason’s Presidency needs to be brought to an end.” After addressing other items on the agenda, the board deliberated for over an hour in an end result of a 9-4 vote not to extend the President’s contract. 
“If the President and Board leadership are not on the same page, then it time for a change,” Mason said via email on Monday.
One thing that the President and BOS could agree on was “change.” 
Rev. Samuel Tolbert, Jr. a member of the BOS for over three years was one of nine members who voted “no.” “I voted no for a number of reasons. I think that one of the biggest reasons was that President Mason hasn’t given us a clear plan in order for the university to move forward; he gives concepts, but not complete plans,” Tolbert said.
Towards the end of the board meeting, Tolbert stated that he met with Mason and another board member in January 2014 where Mason questioned whether or not the board planned on extending his contract by 18 months. He further stated that other universities were interested [in hiring him]. Board member Myran K. Lawson put the item on the agenda; Tolbert co-sponsored it. 
As various members of the community agreed with the board’s decision, some went a step further to suggest Mason resign, or terminate his contract immediately.
Faculty Senate President Thomas Miller said, “We are pleased with the decision although we do believe that the contract should be terminated. Since his contract has not been renewed, he is essentially a lame duck. In order to build trust for Southern, the first step in that direction would be putting someone else in the position as President,” Miller said.  In addition to that, there is a tremendous amount of financial savings that we could have by eliminating some of the positions that are redundant campus positions,” Miller added.
“I would really appreciate if the President would just give it up, get out and put an interim president in until his term is over so that we can move forward,” said Tolbert. 
“I’m not going to say that he [Mason] can’t do his job, but he has not done it.”
Since the board meeting on Saturday, some members of the Southern University community have already starting planning for next year. In an effort to move forward, Christopher Levy, a 2008 graduate and member of the Alumni Federation’s Baton Rouge Chapter said, “From here, all that I can do is move on. I can’t speak on behalf of the federation but I’m sure if the President wanted to work with us over the next year, we’d be more than happy to.”
After months of research, the Faculty Senate has accepted the decision and has decided to “focus on the positive, and build Southern back up.” 
Tolbert ended by giving insight on what he, as a board member, will be looking for in the next president. “I will look for someone who is a consensus builder; someone who knows how to work with people and who has people skills.”
Over the next few months, Mason said, “We will continue with our normal daily activities.  We will work with the campuses to improve the online degree programs and College Connect. Overall we will try to keep things on a positive note until the leadership issues are settled.” 
For more information on ways to get involved in the Southern University community, visit www.subr.edu/