LSU Board Unanimously Approves Three-Year Contract Extension for President William Tate IV
BATON ROUGE, La. — William Tate IV, who made history as LSU's first Black president and the first Black president of any school in the Southeastern Conference, has secured a three-year contract extension. Tate's tenure, which began amid scrutiny of LSU's Title IX Office and investigations into the university's handling of sexual misconduct complaints, has seen significant developments. In April, LSU settled a Title IX lawsuit for $1.9 million, while another lawsuit was dismissed by a jury in December.
The LSU Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Friday to extend Tate's contract, offering a base salary of $750,000 with potential incentives yet to be discussed. This new agreement marks a $25,000 annual increase from his initial contract.
The decision followed a 45-minute executive session focused on Tate's character. Tate, who began his role in July 2021, had his initial contract approved in May 2021.
Supervisor John Carmouche, the sole member to comment on the extension, expressed comfort in approving the contract, citing the board's ability to terminate it early if Tate's performance proved unsatisfactory. He noted the absence of punitive measures in the contract for unmet standards.
Carmouche, along with six other newly appointed members by Gov. Jeff Landry, was sworn in on Friday morning. The board also welcomed a new student representative.
Under Tate's leadership, LSU has seen significant achievements. The Alexandria and Shreveport campuses have experienced record enrollment growth, and the Baton Rouge campus celebrated one of its largest graduating classes in May, with over 4,800 diplomas awarded. In 2023, LSU reported a record $488 million in research activity.
Tate emphasized the importance of resource generation for LSU, identifying it as a key indicator of his success. He highlighted the roles of state appropriations and private fundraising in supporting the university's mission.
