BATON ROUGE, La. – The new president of the Southern University System says he’s moving forward with campus campaigns amid stiff budget reductions.
“We’re going to bring the Southern family back together after a very difficult time,” President Ronald Mason said. “We’re going to turn the ship and get it as seaworthy as possible.”
Mason told The Advocate he will proceed with the ‘S.O.S. Save Our Southern’ awareness campaign and his ‘Project Positive Direction’ plan to streamline and centralize the business operations of Southern’s three academic campuses, law school and agricultural center.
Mason said the goal is to centralize finances, technology infrastructure, internal auditing and more.
Mason said a faculty committee will be formed soon to update and unify the academic curriculums of the campuses, as well as eliminate duplication with a look toward more online degrees.
Meanwhile, Southern Board chairman-elect Darren Mire said he plans to be more aggressive during next year’s legislative session as he promotes the value of Southern’s campuses.
“I’ve formed some pretty good relationships over the years in the Legislature,” Mire said. “I’m going to be a little more hands-on with that. It’s just a crucial time.”
