Committees

The Finance and Governance Committee reviews the annual Council budget as well as unbudgeted requests from other Committees. If F&G approves a particular request, the Chairman presents a recommendation to the Board for approval. For example, the Department Enhancement Committee might request a specific amount to fund the purchase of a projector for a classroom. Written estimates outlining all associated costs would have to be submitted for review at the next Finance and Governance Committee meeting. If approved then, the Treasurer would recommend at the next Board meeting that the expense be approved. If approved by the Board, the Treasurer would work with the requesting Committee to process the purchase. This process will take place on an ongoing basis.

If you are interested in participating on this committee, please contact Rudy Comeaux, The Lemoine Company, 225-383-3710 or [email protected].

The Curriculum & Accreditation Committee hopes to assist the Department in its ongoing preparation for accreditation by building financial reserves for both operating expenses and endowment of professorships and Chairs to attract and maintain the top teaching talent. (Efforts to secure donors for these endowments will be spearheaded by the Membership & Fundraising Committee.)The CM Department is currently in the third year of 6-year accreditation awarded by the American Council of Construction Education (ACCE).

The ACCE evaluates industry involvement as part of the accreditation process and looks to the CIAC to provide resources such as financial support, part-time and post-graduate employment, and an infusion of industry experience through adjunct instructors, guest lecturers, advisory input, etc.

Additionally, the Curriculum & Accreditation Committee has and will continue to conduct surveys among recent CM graduates employed by CIAC members. Their input and feedback is helpful in recommending program refinements and in efforts to keep courses current and relevant. If you have hired recent CM graduates, please pass their email addresses along to the CIAC office to be included in the survey.

If you are interested in participating on this committee, please contact Ryan Day, Primoris Energy Services, 225-620-7434 or [email protected].

The Department Enhancement Committee’s primary purposes include maintaining an open dialogue with the faculty, assisting in the recruitment of new faculty, construction facility planning, and providing other support for the department as needed including but not limited to: providing industry support and guidance to assist in the LSU CM capstone course - Construction Enterprise; tasking local industry to provide real life examples of our construction industry in a class room environment; assisting the CM department with a classroom enhancement Technology-Enables Communication, Collaboration and Creation (C3D) in the Construction Education proposal being submitted to the Board of Regents Traditional Enhancement Program.

If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Jason Creech, Performance Contractors, 225-215-8454 or [email protected].

The Student Enhancement Committee is working with the Construction Management Department to support student associations to maximize the student experience in the CM program. The Construction Student Association is currently affiliated with AGC (Associated General Contractors of America), NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), and ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors).

The Committee also supports the CM student body with mentors who help to enhance the students’ educational experience through interaction with CIAC business leaders and provide the CIAC member an opportunity to participate in enhancing higher education on a one on one basis.

Additionally, the Committee supports the Construction Student Association by providing guest speakers at CSA meetings as well as support in coordinating fundraising events.

If you are interested in participating on this committee, please contact Chris Thompson, ISC Constructors, 225-756-8001 or [email protected].

The Membership and Fundraising Committee is charged with generating funds from two sources: Membership dues, which provide operating funds for the CIAC and transfer to the CM Department budget, and Endowments for Professorships and Chairs.

To raise funds through membership dues, the Committee plans to kick off a membership drive at the beginning of the Fall semester to solicit both Full and Associate members.

5-year goals for endowment funds have been established as follows:
10 Professorships at $60,000 each
- An endowed Professorship is funded by a minimum of $60,000, which creates supplementary
income on an annual basis.
- To date, four (4) Professorships have been endowed:
Buquet & LeBlanc Distinguished Professorship of Commercial Education
Cajun Constructors Professorship in the College of Engineering
Contractors Educational Trust Fund Endowed Professorship for Applied Professional Ethics
Performance Contractors Professorship

Two (2) Chairs at $600,000 each
- A chair is funded by a minimum of $1 million and is not to be confused with an administrative
position as Department Head. The endowment creates an annual stipend, which funds the
position’s actual salary. One Chair is currently endowed:
Contractors Educational Trust Fund Endowed Chair for Applied Professional Ethics

Please consider helping us build the reserves we need to attract premier teaching talent by endowing a Professorship or Chair. Endowment is tax-deductible and can take place over a 3-year period. Each $60,000 will be matched with $40,000 by the Board of Regents Support Fund.

The Publicity and Promotion Committee is dedicated to create awareness of the Council and promote its activities. The primary method of communication will be through the Construction Management Department’s Geaux Build Newsletter. If you would like to be included in our mailing list, please contact the committee chair below. Note that all members will receive a copy of the Newsletter via email and mail. Additional methods of communication will be this website and our LinkedIn Group page. Please consider joining our group to stay informed. We hope through these venues to properly report all information necessary to keep everyone attuned to our accomplishments and engaged with our work ahead.

If you are interested in participating on this committee, please contact Theresa Jones, Theresa B. Jones Consulting, 225-938-1901 or [email protected].