Southern Arkansas University trustees will allow the president to lease a house in Magnolia after meeting in executive session about the matter Thursday.
The trustees unanimously agreed to let SAU President Trey Berry rent a home in Magnolia, as they find a way to build an on-campus house for him. The five-member group came to the decision during a teleconference.
According to the state Freedom of Information Act, executive sessions "will be permitted only for the purpose of considering employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any public officer or employee." The law also mandates that the specific reason for going into executive session should be announced in public before the private meeting convenes.
Steve Keith, chairman of the SAU board of trustees, said he didn't think the meeting violated the law.
"That's a part of his contract," he said, referring to the section of a president's contract that covers housing arrangements or allowances.
Berry is currently living "in a little old cottage on campus," he said, and trustees want to build a bigger president's home. Universities typically house chancellors or presidents on school-owned properties on or near campus to host university-related social events, including fundraisers.
NW News on 10/16/2016