Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Interim President Jaimie Hebert has appointed himself to the Cajundome Commission. The expected Tuesday announcement comes after a last-minute switch two weeks ago that would have seen the university's former president, Joseph Savoie, appointed to the position indefinitely. Savoie was pulled due to a tradition that the UL president holds a position on the commission, Eric Maron, a university spokesperson, previously wrote in a statement. As president, Savoie held a position. So did predecessor, Ray P. Authement. "Though (Hebert) initially intended to reappoint Dr. Savoie to the commission, interim president Dr. Jaimie Hebert decided, upon further reflection, to continue that tradition," Maron wrote. Hebert will instead only hold the position for four years, as laid out in the law that created the commission. City Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux questioned Savoie's indefinite position at an Oct. 7 council meeting. At the time, it was unclear whether Hebert would give himself the same. The commission controls and operates the Cajundome, a property owned by the university. UL's president must appoint two members. Savoie's appointment would have been less than three months after he stepped down from the UL position he had held for 17 years. Savoie continues to serve the university as president emeritus. In early October, Savoie transitioned to a faculty position in UL’s College of Education, according to UL System President and CEO Rick Gallot. Following a six-month sabbatical, Savoie would move into a full-time tenured faculty position at the college in the fall of 2026. Savoie would receive his $510,000 annual salary until the new year. Specifics on his new salary weren't disclosed, only that he would earn the average of the top three faculty salaries in the College of Education. Financial concerns have surrounded Savoie's resignation. Hebert, shortly after his appointment as interim president, reported the university had run into a $25 million funding deficit. He subsequently announced the elimination of six positions. He also said the Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement has been closed and the Office of Communications and Marketing and the Office of Auxiliary Services have been restructured in an effort to reduce costs. Hebert has announced that additional faculty and staff cuts will follow.
