Jul 13, 2009
Governor Bobby Jindal Announces Appointments to the Postsecondary Education Review Commission

BATON ROUGE - Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced appointments to the Postsecondary Education Review Commission, following the passage of HB 794 by Rep. Tucker.

Governor Jindal said, “This commission will review all operations of higher education to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively in delivering the best education services possible to prepare our citizens for the jobs of tomorrow. In reforming our system of higher education along with supporting the flagship agenda at LSU, encouraging more students to begin their degrees at our community and technical schools, and developing unique centers of excellence at our universities – Louisiana will be in a better position to grow the economy and attract more business investment to our state.”

The Postsecondary Education Review Commission serves to review and improve the efficiency of the higher education system in Louisiana. The commission will review all aspects of postsecondary education in order to ensure that the enterprise is operating effectively, and in a manner that best serves students, their families, and the state. Following the commission’s review of higher education, the commission will submit recommendations to the Board of Regents 45 days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session.

According to statute, the commission is comprised of the following nine members:

• The president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or their designee;
• Two members appointed by the Board of Regents from nationally recognized postsecondary education organizations or groups;
• Two members appointed by the governor;
• The speaker of the House of Representatives or their designee;
• The president of the Senate or their designee;
• The chair of the Board of Regents or their designee; and
• The president of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education or their designee.

Governor’s Appointments to the Postsecondary Education Review Commission:

Blake Chatelain, of Alexandria, is the chair of the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors, the president and CEO of Red River Bank and the vice chairman of the Cenla Advantage Partnership, a regional economic development group. He serves on the Governing Board of the Rapides Healthcare System, the Board of Trustees for the Rapides Foundation and the Rapides Heart Center Advisory Board. Chatelain is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and will serve as gubernatorial appointee, as required by statute.

Tony Clayton, of Baton Rouge, is the chair of the Southern University Board of Supervisors and a special prosecutor for the 18th Judicial District. He is a partner with Clayton Law Firm and is a graduate of the Southern University Law Center. Clayton will serve as a gubernatorial appointee, as required by statute.

###