State of SU administration sparks debate

 
Administrators and students differ on beliefs of the current state of the Southern University administration. Although the many changes have occurred with this new administration students still see as not focusing on the right problems on campus.
“The administration has a lot of problems, but at the same time they do their job,” said Baton Rouge senior music education major, Skeyron Davis. He later commented on how he felt that Southern University’s administration doesn’t focus on the correct problems.
While some students hold this belief other members of the administration believe their plan that is currently in place is providing immediate help to the students.
“I believe that we have spent this academic year working very hard to address inefficiencies in the Southern administrative capabilities that were a result of an outdated system,” said Southern University in Baton Rouge’s Chancellor Llorens. The chancellor also spoke on the plan currently being used has been in the planning stages for the past seven or eight years.
Other administrators saw a big change occur in the University when Chancellor Llorens took over that has helped greatly in improving the administration.
“Academic affairs new administration started in October 2011 with a charge from the chancellor to address the financial emergency situation in a way that would end the furlough and provide for future growth of the university,” said assistant to the chancellor, Janet Rami.
She continued on to discuss how they set out to develop a framework for decision making which would be data driven, evidence based, and outcome oriented.
With a new framework currently being executed, administrators spoke on another glaring problem which need fixing.
​”We have looked at our entire information technology area and system area in which we hope to see tremendous improvement in,” said Llorens.
He eventually would discuss how administration have made changes in the registrar recruiting and administrations by moving admissions into the Registrars Office which this fall we hope to have a new T.H. Harris hall that would serve as a true one stop so that students can go there and take care of any transaction related to registration financial aid, we are looking to move the housing office into that area to.
Efficiently planned plans does not fix the bad image of past administrations when discussing donated funds to the school as well as efforts to better assist students.
“I have a few questions about the money, but I feel like that could do a little more to help students,” said Davis.
He also relayed thoughts of how the administration is probably very misunderstood by students.
Although negative attitudes towards the administration might persist, some administrators speak up while others only respond with better actions to help the university.
“Everyone up here has been furloughed in which we rarely get to take the furloughed time off,” said Rami.
She later detailed their duties by stating how it is their role and obligation to provide leadership to faculty and students to moving Southern University forward so it will be here for generations to come.
While some administrators spoke on their need for greater leadership during times of furlough, the university’s publicist defended the administration on charges of not being furloughed.
​”The administration has taken furloughs the last three years, and how everybody’s salary in administration which is above 30,000 and not paid through grants has been furloughed,” said Media Relations Director, Ed Pratt.
Even though its hard times in the administration, Chancellor Llorens spoke on their purpose to the university.
“We are aware of our shortcomings and of what we do right,” said Llorens.
He lastly discussed how they are here and are trying to make a better environment for the students as well as how they welcome feedback on inefficiencies.
For more information on the administration of Southern University students can visit the university’s website or visit the Administrators in the J.S. Clark Administration building at the back of the campus near the Bluff.​