TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS:Southern University System Board of Supervisors discuss prevalent issues

The Southern University System Board meeting was held on Friday October 23, 2015 in the J.S. Clark Administration building at 9 a.m. The meeting began with a prayer and a roll call. The first matter on the agenda was the finance committee, at this time with 10 members of the board present. The floor was opened for public comments in regards to the Finance committee, but there were none.
SUSLA Faculty Senate President Sonya D. Hester responded to an invitation for public comments.
“I have some information that I would like to give to the board, in regards to the promotion and tenure process,” said Hester. “To my knowledge ten faculty members applied for promotion and tenure and ten faculty members were denied,” mentioned Hester. “This process was to be done according to a time line that was not at all followed. This is a clear signal that our promotion and tenure process needs strong re-evaluation,” said Hester. In response to Hester’s comment Board of Supervisors Chairman, Dr. Leon R. Tarver ll said,
“After looking at this lengthy packet that you gave us, I think we should be considering a policy for any material that is coming to the board.” Agreeing with Tarver Board Member Rev. Joe R. Grant Jr. spoke for clarification. “Well I just want to make sure we are on the same page, with this, because it is often times people bring information or matters to the board meeting and expect us to vote on it right then and there,” said Grant.
“My question to you, is, are you in support of this lady getting tenure or are you not in support?” asked board member Attorney Tony M. Clayton.
“Absolutely we are in support as I indicated in the packet,” said Hester. “So are you saying that the rules were not followed?” asked Clayton. As Hester began to answer she was interrupted by Clayton,
“My question is really simple. Were the rules not followed? Yes or no? Hester Responded by saying will you allow me to explain?” Refusing to give the simple yes or no answer before her explanation Clayton said “Don’t worry about it I will cast my vote.” Further explaining his stance on this matter Clayton went on to say
“Once we start granting these tenures It appears to me that professors are not showing up to class and they get this tenure and think they can hide behind it, finished Clayton. “I’m sorry if I offended you Clayton, but I wanted to answer your question correctly. After ten faculty members were denied, and there was no reason, evaluation or rubric shown then that is when the questions arose for why is it that all were denied,then all of sudden just this one member be approved for tenure,” defended Hester.
I have no idea what she is talking about those nine people are not here,” said Clayton. Keeping order during the meeting Tarver commented saying, ”Clayton you do not have. the floor, Mr. Clayton you do not have the floor.” This matter was tabled until a later date. After another roll call and the board moving on to another matter the topic of a SU law student appealing to return to the Southern University Law Center. Shaboyd Cannon of Gray Georgia surrendered himself to the Southern University Police Department back in January, after having a warrant for his arrest on December 18, 2014 for being accused of forcible rape. According to the investigation Cannon forced himself on a female in the Library of the A.A, Lenoir Law Center and Cannon’s DNA was a match in the rape kit, according to WAFB. After a brief debate it was agreed to enter into an Executive Session, to further discuss the decision, which lasted approxametly 30 minutes. Once the board reveaned, the motion to hear Cannons’ appeal was denied, and the board voted and chose to accept the decision in which the Chancellor has made. “For the record I don’t know what the recpomendation of the administration is, no one has told us that,” said the Cannons lawyer, whose name was not stated clearly.
“I believe you did, didn’t you come here to present a case in relating of the disagreeing of the recommendation of the Administration,” said Tarver.
“He wanted us to overrule the administrations decision to expel this student to be clear when we entered the executive session no one told me today or a week ago rather or not the administration at this point and time would allow the gentleman to return to law school,” said Cannons’ lawyer. “I know what was done a year ago but I don’t know what the administration position was as from the time I was here this morning and the time of my presentation. Had I known that, I wouldn’t have rushed my ten minutes in the back, because I thought this board would listen to the facts and make a decision based on facts,” finished the lawyer.
“We understand the nature of the meeting and we came out here to make a decision. I appreciate your comment and time and if you don’t mind the board will proceed with its decision making,” concluded Tarver.
“I motion to accept the recommendation of the administration,” said Clayton “Well I want to hear what the lawyer has to say,” said Grant.
“On January 9, 2015 Mr. Cannon received correspondence from the Chancellor of the Law Center and in the last sentence it stated that he may appeal to the board. Where we are now is Mr. Cannon filed an appeal of that decision. He is fully aware in writing of what he was appealing.,” said the attorney of the SU Law Center.
“Clearly we have heard his appeal and he has exhausted all of his remedies, and I move that we except the recommendations of the administration. The motion was passed. Canon was unavailable to make a statement.
One of the last items on agenda was discussion of parking and the the use of drones, four wheelers, and dirt bikes on campus on game days. “ I feel we as a board should have a policy to prohibit drones being flown over our stadium or campus where fans are on game day, I saw several flying over our campus for homecoming, I’m just asking that we do some research on that,” said Clayton. Clayton mentioned for an example that hunters attach guns to hunt,” I doubt that any thing like that would happen,” I just hate that we don’t have anything in place for that,” finished Clayton. In regards to the large amount of children driving golf carts and four wheelers Clayton stated “I think we should prohibit folks from using these on the road, especially kids, it is too dangerous.”
It was also mentioned to utilize the CATS system and let the game goers park in surrounding areas and be bused on to the campus.
“I’m bringing this to the board and chancellor just so we can look in to it, finished Clayton.
The meeting went on ended accordingly. Closing remarks were given by President- Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton.