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Savoie era begins at UL; see photo galleries, video

President signals change in first day as leader

Cody Daigle • cdaigle@theadvertiser.com • July 3, 2008

Joseph Savoie was greeted this morning at UL’s Martin Hall by what he described as "a gauntlet" of more than 100 students, faculty and staff assembled to welcome him on his first day as UL president. 

As he made his way through the crowd, shaking hands and giving the occasional hug, it was easy to see why his description was apt. Filling the vacancy left by Ray Authement after his 34-year tenure as president would mean more than just arriving for work and occupying an empty office.

With each handshake came an unspoken question – what’s next?

For Savoie, that answer is simple. Change comes next. And while Savoie expressed his commitment to honor the legacy left behind by Authement, his first day on the job sent clear signals that under his leadership, UL will travel some uncharted waters toward its future.

Meeting students

Savoie’s tenure as UL’s sixth president began with the people who will be most affected by the course he sets for the university – the students. SGA officers, led by president Jamey Arnette, sat down with Savoie to brief him on the major issues on the minds of UL’s student body.

High on the list was campus safety. In the shadow of tragedies like the shootings at Virginia Tech, Arnette said ensuring a safe campus is a high priority.

Other concerns brought up by the SGA officers were housing, renovations to the student union, planned additions to Bourgeois Hall and maintaining the university’s Walk of Honor.

"We’re about five graduating classes behind, and older classes have some damaged and cracked bricks," Arnette said. "That’s five years of university history that’s missing right now."

Savoie was candid with the students about his goals, including some off-the-record moments to give the students real context for their concerns. That candor resurfaced throughout the morning, as Savoie met with deans, university vice presidents and members of the local media.

That willingness to be open about the university and his role in its future paints an early picture of a very public university president.

Savoie finished his time with SGA officers by setting up a weekly meeting to discuss issues and concerns, a nod to a tradition set up by his predecessor.

"But I want to spend a good bit of time at first just listening," Savoie said. "I want to get a feel for what’s important to you."

‘A lot of work’

Getting a feel for what’s important to the university has been a key component of Savoie’s transition period. After his appointment, six advisory teams were set up to explore the issues and concerns of the university and make recommendations for the university’s future.

Jerry Luke LeBlanc, who coordinated the transition process and was recently appointed interim vice president of finance for the university, said the final recommendations would be ready for presentation in about two weeks. Those recommendations will be a starting point for Savoie’s plan of action.

"There’s a lot of work for us to do here," Savoie said. "The real challenge here is prioritizing those tasks, figuring out which are the most important, which things might eliminate other problems down the road. That’s what’s next for us."

Apart from the recommendations from the advisory teams, Savoie sees other areas where that growth is possible. Expanding the graduate and doctoral programs, exploring the potential for online classes and distance learning, and revamping the summer session are all on the new president’s radar.

And for those looking for an immediate impact of the new administration, Savoie said in the next few days the university will be getting a bit of a facelift – grounds will be cleaned, sidewalks will be washed and parking lots will be repaired.

Which is not to say the new administration thinks the university is in dire straits. LeBlanc said the university’s financial situation is strong, which will serve as a good foundation for the university’s future. And Savoie gave the university high academic marks.

"We don’t have to fix something that’s broken here," Savoie said. "But we are in a position to help the university grow."

Making some noise

Savoie recognizes the unique position he’s found himself in, assuming the leadership of a university with what he dubs a "solid, but quiet reputation."

While his time in Baton Rouge as the state’s higher education commissioner showed him that other state institutions have respect for UL, he thinks the university has yet to make the impact it’s capable of.

Which is something he hopes to correct.

"I think it’s time we make some noise," Savoie said. "Since I accepted this position, I’ve encountered a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of positivity, and I want to take that enthusiasm and do something with it."

And he hopes everything he’s learned during his time in Baton Rouge will make that goal a reality.

Savoie aims to move away from an environment he called "administratively lean," which he is quick to point out served the university well and ran it efficiently. But he hopes by broadening the administrative environment and establishing new statewide connections the university will be able to branch out in new directions.

"I’m smart enough to know I’m not smart enough to know everything," Savoie said. "It’s been one of the great advantages of being in Baton Rouge, seeing the effectiveness of letting people do their job and getting out of their way."

While Savoie admits that approach will be a different one for the university, he acknowledges the success of his predecessor’s approach.

"I’m coming into a university that’s in very good shape," Savoie said. "But we’ve always got to think of the next generation. That should be our job, thinking and working towards what’s good for the next generation."