Interim President Jaimie Hebert Joins Cajundome Commission

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Interim President, Jaimie Hebert, has appointed himself to the Cajundome Commission. This decision, announced on Tuesday, follows a recent change that would have seen former president Joseph Savoie take the position indefinitely. Savoie was removed from consideration due to a tradition that the university’s president holds a seat on the commission, as indicated by university spokesperson Eric Maron.

Hebert’s appointment is significant as it continues a long-standing practice. Both Savoie and his predecessor, Ray P. Authement, previously served on the commission. Maron explained, “Though Hebert initially intended to reappoint Dr. Savoie to the commission, interim president Dr. Jaimie Hebert decided, upon further reflection, to continue that tradition.”

Hebert will serve on the commission for a term of four years, as mandated by the legislation that established the commission. This term length addresses concerns raised by City Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux during a council meeting on October 7, 2023, regarding Savoie’s previously proposed indefinite appointment.

The Cajundome Commission is responsible for the management and operations of the Cajundome, which is owned by the university. The UL president is tasked with appointing two members to this commission. Savoie’s potential appointment would have occurred less than three months after he stepped down from his role as president, a position he held for 17 years. Despite his resignation, Savoie remains active in the university as president emeritus and has transitioned to a faculty role in UL’s College of Education.

According to Rick Gallot, president and CEO of the UL System, Savoie is slated to take on a full-time tenured faculty position in the fall of 2026 following a six-month sabbatical. Until then, he will receive an annual salary of $510,000, with future salary details remaining undisclosed but expected to be based on the average of the top three faculty salaries in the College of Education.

Financial challenges have marked Savoie’s departure from the presidency. Shortly after assuming his role, Hebert disclosed a funding deficit of $25 million facing the university. In response, Hebert announced the elimination of six positions and significant restructuring within several offices, including the closure of the Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement. Hebert has indicated that further cuts to faculty and staff may be forthcoming as the university seeks to stabilize its financial situation.