Regents Executive Committee Receives Critical Legislative Reports

BATON ROUGE, La. – Board of Regents Executive Committee members met Friday to approve outstanding time-sensitive items ahead of the March Board meeting. Friday’s meeting had been rescheduled following the cancellation of the January Board meeting due to Winter Storm Fern.

During Friday’s meeting, Chair Misti Cordell announced that she will temporarily step away from her duties as Board Chair and Regent Terrie Sterling will assume the role of Interim Chair.

“Serving as Chair of the Board of the Regents is an honor, and I remain deeply committed to the mission and work of this Board,” said Cordell. “I have full confidence in Regent Sterling’s leadership and in the ongoing strength of our Board and Regents staff during my absence.”

“Our work does not pause, and neither does our commitment to serving the students and institutions of our state,” said Sterling. “We will maintain the same focus and collaboration as we continue to ensure Louisiana prospers.”

During the meeting, Executive Committee members received two critical legislative reports. Staff members presented reports from the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Task Force and the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Task Force. Key findings from each include:

• Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Task Force Report: The report recommends a coordinated, statewide approach to hazing prevention, centered on comprehensive education and training and reinforced through enhanced accountability.
• Name, Image, and Likeness Task Force Report: Recommendations center on protecting students, from creating clear policies around high school NIL participation to requiring individuals who negotiate NIL deals for student-athletes to register with the Attorney General.

Both reports, along with others required by the Legislature, are available on the Board of Regents’ Legislative Reports webpage.

“I am grateful to the members of these important task forces for their work and dedication to helping Louisiana become better and safer for our students,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed. “We look forward to working with the Legislature in the upcoming session to advance sound policies to enhance education, affordability, and stronger workforce alignment.”

In other Executive Committee action, members approved items including an Act 959 project at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, a third-party project at Louisiana Tech, a new MS degree program in Architecture at LSU A&M, and the 2026 Board of Regents committee assignments.

LOSFA Interim Executive Director Dr. Susannah Craig also provided the Committee with an update on M.J. Foster Promise (MJFP), Louisiana’s successful adult financial aid program. Dr. Craig shared that LOSFA anticipates that 2025-26 award year funds for the M.J. Foster Promise Program will soon be exhausted. The Governor’s Executive budget proposes an additional $14.5M in MJFP funding in 2026-27 to support the increased demand.

The Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25.