T. Scott Boatright, Reporter
10-29-2009
GRAMBLING — University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett was on the Grambling State University campus Wednesday, saying he wanted to “calm the waters” in the wake of GSU President Horace Judson’s resignation last week.
Judson’s last official day at GSU’s helm will be Saturday.
“The main thing I want to convey is for people here to ‘stay the course,’ ” Moffett said. “The university is in good shape and headed in the right direction. And we’re going to do everything we can to find the best interim and permanent candidates for president and make sure we keep things that way.”
Moffett spent the day at GSU, meeting at different times with a group of faculty members, outgoing school President Horace Judson’s cabinet, the deans’ council, a group of students and a group of staff members, garnering input on their feelings concerning an interim president for the school as well as a permanent leader. He also said the interim leader could come from either on or off campus.
“We’re actively trying to identify the right candidate,” Moffett said. “We’re just looking at gathering input on the way people around here feel.
“Anytime there’s a major change like this, it’s always good to get as much information as you can before making any decisions. This is that kind of fact-finding mission. It was a good day and we had good, candid conversations.”
Members of GSU’s Faculty Senate had openly opposed Judson recently, even drafting a resolution of no confidence in the university president. Faculty Senate president Matthew Ware said his group felt good after meeting with Moffett.
“I think it went well,” Ware said. “This is the first of several meetings he said we’ll have as they work to find a permanent president, and he said our input was important to the board.
“They were candid conversations, but in a good way. I think he understands our concerns and will try to find the best leadership for the university.”
Moffett said there is no set timetable for the decision, but that it wouldn’t be long in the making.
“We want to do it as soon as possible, that’s what’s best for Grambling,” Moffett said. “I feel like we should be able to name an interim president in about a week — seven-10 days. That leader will be important because of upcoming accreditation reviews Grambling will be undergoing. And then we’ll get to work on a permanent replacement.
“But first is that interim leader decision, and we hope to do that next week. The good thing is that we have a good staff already in place and business is running as usual at Grambling. And the board is ready to help try to see that it’s that way for a long time to come.”
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