Northwestern State University President Jimmy Genovese is facing opposition from Governor Jeff Landry and state lawmakers over his proposal to open a law school at the university. Genovese claims that the idea for the law school originated with Landry, but the governor has since dropped his support for the plan.
Background
Genovese was appointed as the president of Northwestern State University in 2024, with the backing of Landry and State Senator Alan Seabaugh. However, Genovese’s relationship with Seabaugh has deteriorated, with the two engaging in a public feud. Seabaugh has accused Genovese of mismanaging the university’s budget, while Genovese has blamed Seabaugh for the university’s financial difficulties.
Genovese’s law school proposal has been met with skepticism by lawmakers, with some questioning the need for another law school in the state. The proposal has been submitted to the Board of Regents, but it has not been approved. Genovese has continued to advocate for the law school, despite the lack of support from Landry and lawmakers.
Controversy
The controversy surrounding Genovese’s law school proposal has highlighted the tensions between the university and state lawmakers. Seabaugh has accused Genovese of being unsuited for the job, citing his lack of experience in higher education leadership. Genovese has responded by blaming Seabaugh for the university’s financial difficulties, claiming that the senator has not provided adequate support for the university.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
