Caption: Executive Vice President & Provost Roy Haggerty, Vice President Robert Twilley, and LSU faculty at the 2024 Provost's Fund Symposium.

Dear Colleagues,

Research thrives in an environment of collaboration, and LSU's Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research (PFIR) was created to foster exactly that. Since its launch in 2022, this initiative has provided more than $5 million to support interdisciplinary research aligned with President Tate’s Scholarship First Agenda. Through this investment, faculty have advanced research in five priority areas—agriculture, biomedicine and biotechnology, coast and environment, defense and cybersecurity, and energy—addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing Louisiana and beyond.

The upcoming Provost’s Fund Symposium will showcase the outcomes of projects funded in the 2023-2024 cycle, offering a glimpse into the depth and breadth of scholarship happening at LSU. Last year’s event highlighted the creative intersections between disciplines—from scientists presenting alongside artists to engineers exchanging ideas with humanists. This year’s symposium promises to continue that tradition, reinforcing the value of diverse perspectives in tackling complex problems.

On campus and beyond, national conversations on research funding and other matters affecting those in higher education continue to evolve. As federal agencies adjust funding priorities, universities must remain proactive in ensuring that research—especially interdisciplinary and exploratory work—continues to receive support. At LSU, we remain committed to providing faculty with the resources needed to navigate these changes while continuing to produce high-impact scholarship.

I encourage all faculty to engage with the Provost’s Fund Symposium—not only as an opportunity to learn about groundbreaking research but also as a reminder of the strength that comes from working across disciplines. Our research is strongest when we collaborate, when we innovate, and when we remain steadfast in our mission to advance knowledge in service to society.

Thank you for your contributions to LSU’s academic and research excellence.

Roy Haggerty
Executive Vice President & Provost

Sabbatical Policy Revision

Permanent Memorandum 12 (pp. 2 - 3), and Policy Statement 12 (pp. 28 – 29) have been revised upon recommendation of a special committee of the Faculty Senate. The succinct but important revisions clarify that faculty must return to LSU duties for one year after going on sabbatical leave and that faculty must be tenured at the time of sabbatical leave. Additionally, the prior requirement of having completed six years of continuous service for sabbatical eligibility has been updated to remove the term continuous.

Flying of Official Flags 

Permanent Memorandum 44 and Policy Statement 66, both regarding the flying of official flags, have been developed and updated, respectively, in compliance with Executive Order JML-24-84 and at the direction of the Board of Supervisors. Please consult these policies for specific provisions of the flying of flags on university premises. 

PS 36T CV Update

There has been a change in the format for LSU curriculum vitae. The previous version of the PS 36 CV is no longer required, and Appendix E has been removed from the policy. Faculty may use a personally preferred format as long as, for LSU purposes, all the appropriate activities listed in Elements are included. That list can be found on the Academic Affairs website. For more information, contact Mallory Danzy at elements@lsu.edu

10 Years and $31 Million Saved: The Incredible Impact of LSU Libraries’ E-Textbook Initiative

Imagine if your students could start the semester with immediate access to required course materials and without the burden of high textbook costs. For the past decade, LSU Libraries’ e-textbook program has provided faculty with a way to offer students free digital course materials, enhancing success and retention. Since its humble beginnings in 2014, the program has experienced explosive growth, saving students and their families more than $31 million.

Provost's Fund Symposium

Since January 2022, Executive Vice President & Provost Roy Haggerty, in partnership with the Office of Research & Economic Development, established a $1.8 million dollar fund for faculty in support of interdisciplinary research in alignment with President Tate’s Scholarship First Agenda. The LSU Pentagon includes five priority areas: agriculture, biomedicine and biotechnology, coast and environment, defense and cybersecurity and energy—key economic drivers for Louisiana based on existential needs—across every discipline, department, college and program. Over the last 3 years, $5.4 million dollars have been made available through the Provost's Fund for Innovation in Research.

Faculty are invited to attend the Provost's Fund Symposium, which will showcas projects made possible through the Provost's Fund for Innovation in Research. Awardees will present their research via posters or presentations.

Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: South Stadium Club, Tiger Stadium 

2024-25 Sternberg Lecture with Dr. Darius Spieth

Dr. Darius Spieth is the 2024-25 Erich and Lea Sternberg Honors Professor. Established by Lea Sternberg in 1996, the professorship is the highest award conferred to faculty by the Ogden Honors College.

Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025 Time: 4:30 p.m.  Location: Hans and Donna Sternberg Salon, French House Explore the dynamic interplay between art markets and financial markets in this interactive case-study-based lecture. In “Predicting Financial Markets through the Behavior of Art Buyers,” Dr. Spieth examines key economic shocks, behavioral finance, and the intriguing connections between artistic creations, market indexes, and financial trends. Gain insight into how art buyers and stock analysts navigate these interconnected worlds. This event is free and open to the public. Reception to follow.  Register

2025 Spring Innovation Series Event: Register Now

Registration is now open for LSU Online & Continuing Education’s 2025 Spring Innovation Series event, Courageous Leadership: Reshaping the Future for Higher Education, which will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the LSU Lod Cook Conference Center. To view the agenda, speaker information, and to register to attend in-person or virtually, please visit the Innovation Series Event website. Registration closes on January 24th. 

12th annual LSU Discover Day Undergraduate Research Conference – April 25, 2025

Please encourage your students to apply to present at this year’s LSU Discover Day! Students can present a poster, a piece of art, an oral presentation, or a visual display of their research or creative work.  Applications are due by February 28th.

Want to help spread the word to your students? Click here to request Discover Day promotional posters and flyers to be delivered directly to your office.  You can also email us at lsuour@lsu.edu to request digital graphics for Discover Day.

Nominations for Faculty Awards 

The University Faculty Awards, held on an annual basis, recognize faculty accomplishments and showcase superb teaching, research, and service at LSU. Nominations for the University Faculty Awards are due February 14, 2025. Click here to view the full descriptions of each of the faculty awards. Individual faculty members, department heads, or deans may initiate nominations. Learn more by visiting the University Faculty Awards webpage.

Faculty Annual Reviews in Elements 

The Office of Academic Affairs has launch 2024 Faculty Annual Reviews in Elements. For the proposed deadlines, please visit the annual review webpage. Please note, departments and colleges may have their own internal deadlines. Find trainings on completing your 2024 Faculty Annual Reviews in elements here. For questions pertaining to Faculty Annual Reviews or Elements email elements@lsu.edu

Research Opportunities for Humanities Students

Know a student looking to participate in humanities-related research?  Encourage them to check out these two summer programs offered by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR):

• Special Collections Summer Research Projects – applications due by Feb.16
• Museum of Art Research Project -  applications due by Feb.23
• Have a student with an idea for a research project?  Have them submit a proposal for a Project Grant – submissions due by Feb.16

Students selected will earn wages for time spent on the projects and participate in activities organized by OUR for summer researchers.

LSU Online Workshop

Applying Universal Design for Learning to Enhance the Student Experience

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework designed to empower students from varied backgrounds to actively participate in their courses and apply their learning to the greatest extent possible. Application of the UDL principles involves thoughtful consideration and selection of course materials, teaching methods, and assessment strategies. Join us in this interactive workshop, facilitated by LSU Online & Continuing Education’s Design & Development team, where presenters will share strategies for using the principles of UDL in your course. For more information and to register, please visit the LSU Training & Events Registration page.