University Progress

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Now that everyone has settled into the fall semester, I’d like to share some news about the progress the University has made in a couple of crucial areas.

First, a search committee is narrowing down the list of finalists for the combined positions of provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. The person who serves in these roles helps oversee all educational affairs and activities, including faculty and research. So it’s a position that’s pivotal to the University’s continued success.

The committee has been diligent in its search. Thanks to its members, who have been dedicated to finding the best candidates. They expect to announce finalists later this week.

Another University committee is working with the Office of Information Technology on the Enterprise Resource Planning project. The ERP project will provide software that will enable the University to improve business practices and workflows. It will also include training for University personnel who will be using it.

The ERP is an incredibly complex project that goes far beyond replacing ISIS, the University’s administrative database.

Earlier this month, we asked for vendors to submit proposals. The deadline to receive those proposals is Nov. 26. The ERP committee and IT will then spend the next few months evaluating those proposals. The goal is to choose a vendor early next year.

And here’s some news that is especially rewarding: UL Lafayette is ranked the fourth-best university in the United States at helping lower-income students earn degrees. This is the second consecutive year that Washington Monthly magazine’s College Guide has cited our University as a top 10 engine for social mobility.

We know that higher education can be life changing; faculty and staff can be proud of all they do to help our students fulfill their dreams.

Thank you for the important work that you do for the University.

Sincerely,
E. Joseph Savoie
President
president@louisiana.edu