Financial Exigency; Is this Just the First of Many? Southern University's financial woes linger - John Kelly, The Times-Picayune

Print Southern University Chancellor James Llorens says he may again request that the college declare a financial emergency because of ongoing budget problems. Partly because of disputes over voluntary faculty furloughs, Llorens tells The Advocate the Southern Board of Supervisors may reconsider the emergency request, called exigency, when board members next meet Oct. 28. Llorens had initially said at least 90 percent of the faculty needed to voluntarily accept furloughs. Only about 60 percent of the faculty volunteered and the Southern Board rejected exigency. Llorens then began implementing the furloughs for 60 percent of the faculty. But several balked because some said they believed the furloughs would only go into effect if the faculty was united. Llorens also has begun shaking up his administration, starting with appointing a new second-in-charge on campus.