re: F. King could be potentially leaving LSU, on Univ of California president shortlist

Jay Dardenne may not be the best candidate that wants the job. But he’s probably better for fundraising than Alexander.

LSU needs an unapologetic rankings whore that can beef up funding. Someone relatable that can make a good pitch to potential donors needs to replace Alexander. Preferably someone that won’t air dirty laundry on Fox News and CNN every single legislative session.

The academic ranking of LSU has fallen under Alexander. The university isn’t less dependent on state tax dollars than before, and the brand hasn’t improved. The new “holistic” admissions policy may be the new trend, but it has resulted in lower performing students at LSU when the focus should be on providing incentive for the best to choose LSU. As heartless as it sounds, LSU needs to be more selective and more desirable. If the state is going to continue to reduce higher ed funding (it will), LSU needs private donors to shovel cash into the system with the same voracious enthusiasm that Aggie alumni do to Texas A&M.

In addition to private sources of funding - LSU needs to attract more grad students and more “out of state” undergrads. They must offer a better degree and better (not necessarily more) programs to do that. They need to tie LSU alumni that have left the state back to the mother ship - especially those with high incomes and college-age children.

My biggest reservation about donating money to the school is it’s leadership. We replaced Alleva with Woodward (a rockstar - lucky for us!).... now we need someone who gives a shite about LSU to take over for Alexander. It’s time for LSU to compete with Florida and A&M off the field and take a lead in more studies that are relevant to the mid-south and gulf coast, such as coastal and environmental research. That would be a huge economic driver for the state.

Not sure that Dardenne is the right guy for the job. Alexander definitely isn’t.

I have heard a couple of names that I think would be excellent, but I am not sure if the governor’s office would allow either to happen.