STUDENT SERVICES
The University provides a variety of activities, programs, and services to support and complement the academic offerings and to expand the total growth of the student. The various components of the co-curricular program relate to the University's mission and educational philosophy by contributing to the cultural, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development of students. The student development philosophy underlying these activities and services focuses on the personal growth and education of the student and is based on the premise that all students have the right to develop to their full potential.
AUXILIARY SERVICES
Bollinger Memorial Student Union
The Donald G. Bollinger Memorial Student Union at Nicholls State University is the "community" center for Nicholls State University and the entire University community: students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni and special guests. The Student Union is an intricate part of the educational program at NSU. Foremost as its mission, the Bollinger Memorial Student Union provides an environment of recreation, relaxation, social interaction, exploration of personal interests, leadership opportunities, exchange of thought and learning and offers many valuable and enriching services to the University community. The Student Union serves as the focal point and special opportunity for NSU students. The Union continually strives to enhance the social, cultural, recreational, co-curricular and extra curricula needs of our students in their educational pursuits. Bollinger Memorial Student Union serves as the living center of student life at NSU. In essence, the Bollinger Memorial Student Union creates a wholesome environment that enhances the community experience at Nicholls State University.
The Union provides a multi-faceted facility, capable of serving small informal gatherings to accommodating large productions, such as wedding receptions, dances, and conferences. The student union provides beneficial services that meet the everyday needs of our students, staff and guests. The Student Union includes Chick-fil-A, Selona Grill, Jazzman's Coffee, Godfather's Pizza, Nicholls Dining, Le Bon Temps (Gameroom), Le Bijou Theater, racquetball/table tennis courts, Information Center, Post Office, University Bookstore, the Cotillion Ballroom, and various meeting room and banquet facilities. The Union also houses the offices of Auxiliary Services, Student Life, Career Services, I. D. Card Operations, Continuing Education-Non Credit Programs, Student Government Association and Student Programming Association.
Post Office
The Nicholls State University Post Office is located in the Bollinger Memorial Student Union and is a satellite of the United States Postal Service; therefore students, faculty, staff, and non-students are eligible to rent post office boxes. The NSU Post Office offers all the usual services of other postal facilities, including acceptance of checks for postal services. However, postal money orders are not issued.
ID Card Operations/Colonel Card
ID Cards are issued in the Office of ID Card Operations located in the Student Union. The ID Card is referred to as the Colonel Card. It is issued for use during your association or attendance at Nicholls State University. The person issued this card is responsible for use, charges or purchases made with the card.
This card provides access to designated events, facilities and services; the University reserves the right to limit or revoke such access. Misuse may result in disciplinary action.
This card must be surrendered when leaving NSU or upon demand of or by a University official.
Report lost or stolen card to the Colonel Card Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. During the evening and weekend, you may report your lost card to University Police, so that it may be deactivated. There is a $10.00 replacement fee for the first lost, stolen or damaged card, $15.00 for second and successive replacement cards. The Colonel Card Office and Nicholls State University are not responsible for any charges made on a lost or stolen card.
This card serves as your meal card, debit card (should you chose to make a deposit) that may be used at various locations on campus and entrance into university facilities and events. Visit our website at www.nicholls.edu/colonelcard to learn more about our services
Academic Computing and Instructional Technology
The Department of Academic Computing and Instructional Technology develops and coordinates plans for academic computing and instructional technology for the five undergraduate colleges, the Junior Division, and Graduate Studies. The Department also supports university research efforts requiring large electronic databases (e.g., Compustat, Citibase, and ICPSR) or statistical analysis (e.g., SAS, SPSS, SHAZAM). Three "open" labs, consisting of 110 state of the art computers, the Cenac Center, located in the College of Business; the WAC Computer Lab, located in Ellender Memorial Library; and the Engineering and Petroleum Sciences Lab, located in the College of Life Sciences and Technology, are available to all enrolled students.
Many departments have dedicated computer classrooms or labs for specific majors. Art, business administration, computer science, criminal justice, education, English, family and consumer sciences, legal assistant studies, mass communication, mathematics, music, nursing, and office information systems are among the areas that have dedicated computer facilities. In addition, large databases and statistical analysis software are available on all "open" lab computers. Valid student ID's are required for entry.
Writing Across the Curriculum Writing Center
The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Writing Center is staffed with writing consultants to assist students with writing assignments from any subject area. Consultants are trained to guide students through the writing process. The WAC Computer Lab, providing technical assistance which is supported by Instructional Technology, is also available in the same facility. Valid student ID's are required for entry.
Computer Services
The University main computer center in Room 155 of Peltier Hall provides services to students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The computer configuration consists of an IBM 9221 computer system, model 170, with 128 million-byte main memory. The system has two magnetic tape drives and 72 billion-byte disk capacity. The campus has a fiber optic cable system connecting buildings; in addition, more than 1500 terminals and personal computers are connected to the network. Its server is operated by a NOVELL operating system which connects users to the campus main network (NSUNET), the state computer network (LaNet), and Internet.
Computer Services assists students, faculty, staff and administrators with their data processing needs.
University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS) provides both health education and health-care services to students. The staff attends to students' acute health concerns and teaches health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
Students are required to submit a statement of immunization status. The immunization statement allows UHS personnel to determine if students are in compliance with state and institutional requirements. The student's proof of immunization form is kept as part of the student's confidential health records.
UHS is located in the Betsy Cheramie Ayo Nursing Building. Services are available from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during fall and spring semesters and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during summer sessions. Nurses are available whenever Health Services is open. Physician services are available on the premises five hours per day, Monday through Friday, when classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters, and three hours per day during the summer session. After hours, students with urgent health concerns may call or go to the Emergency Room at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center for advice or care.
Food Services
Auxiliary Services supervises the food service operations of the University. Vernon F. Galliano Hall Cafeteria is a spacious, centralized dining facility offering nutritious food, student oriented menus, and a wide range of services to the campus community including several meal plans to fit the busy lifestyles of students, faculty, and staff, reasonable cash prices to the public, traditional local cuisine, and a catering department to accommodate the hospitality needs of the University public.
The Bollinger Student Union offers a variety of food service choices to the campus community which includes: Godfather's Pizza, Selona Grill, Chick-fil-A, and Jazzman's Coffee. The privatized housing apartment complex, La Maison Du Bayou, has a convenience store and sub sandwich deli located in the Club House.
Residential Services
The experience of living on campus is one of the most important phases of University life. The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana system places the welfare of the student as the top priority in the establishment and operation of all higher education institutions.
Positive Board action has been taken in the acquisition and construction of essential housing, dining, student life, and academic facilities for the established institutions. The Board expects students to utilize these facilities to their fullest and in the best interest of all concerned.
The University requires that all full time undergraduate students, regardless of age or whether or not emancipated, live on campus as long as space is available unless exempted by the institution for good and reasonable cause, such as:
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A case where it appears that a full time undergraduate student will suffer significant hardship or because financial, medical, or other reasons are shown to be sound and sufficient.
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In the case of a non-traditional student where such individual is by virtue of age and experience incompatible with the educational objectives and values sought to be provided by the on campus residence program.
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Undergraduate students living with parents, grandparents, married brother or sister, or in supervised sorority or fraternity housing.
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Students who are married or who maintain single parent households.
Requests for exemptions should be directed to the Office of Residential Services.
Nicholls has seven modern, air conditioned residence halls. Accommodations consist of four student suites (two rooms with adjoining baths with two students sharing a room), except in the case of two men's residence halls. Students may also contract for a private room. All rooms come with comfortable furniture. Requests for applications and questions regarding housing should be directed to the Office of Residential Services.
Residence hall accommodations are operated on a room and board plan; that is, all students living in the residence halls must contract for both services. The contract for room and board is for two semesters (fall and spring) or a single summer session. Students entering into a contract must live in the residence hall for the entire contract period and must pay rates as published. The housing and food service contract does not include official University holidays, e.g., Thanksgiving, Mardi Gras, Easter, Spring Break, and days between semesters. Arrangements for housing during official holidays can be made with the Office of Residential Services.
The current cost of the Housing and Food Service Plan for the regular semester ranges from $1,576 to $1,676 (double occupancy) and $2,101 to $2,201 (private occupancy) which must be paid in full at the time of registration.
The current cost of Housing and Food Service for the seven-week summer session is $712 (double occupancy) or $902 (single occupancy) which must be paid in full at the time of registration. Students who fail to pay room and board fees when due will be subject to eviction from the residence halls; and meal privileges will be cancelled. The student will remain indebted for the balance due the University.
Refund requests for the Housing and Food Service Plan received prior to the opening of the residence halls will be refunded in full. Students who resign after the opening of the residence halls will be issued a refund in accordance with the tuition fee refund schedule, less any applicable daily charges administered prior to the beginning of classes. The housing and food service contract deposit will be forfeited.
Students who remain enrolled, but elect to move from the residence halls will generally not have the right to any refund of fees paid under the housing and food service contract. The housing and food service contract is a binding contract entered into between the student and the University. Breaking the contract by leaving the residence hall before the end of the contract period makes the remainder of the contract due and payable immediately. Only in exceptional cases may any portion of the contract amount be refundable. No refund or credit will be issued to any student who is moved from the residence halls/cafeteria due to disciplinary action. An appeal in writing through the Director of Residential Services to the Vice Presidents for Student Affairs and Business Affairs, outlining the nature and severity of the changed conditions, is necessary for any refund to be considered. The housing and food service contract deposit will be forfeited.
Applications for housing and food service may be filed at any time and must be accompanied by a $150 retention and damage deposit. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Nicholls State University. A student may cancel this contract and recover the deposit if written notice of cancellation is received by the Office of Residential Services no later than 45 days prior to the opening of the residence halls for the contract period. If a student does not claim housing space by 5 p.m. on the day before the first day of classes, the deposit will be automatically forfeited. The deposit (for students meeting all obligations of the contract) will be refunded at the end of the contract period, less any charges for damage and indebtedness due the University.
The University reserves the right to conduct inspections for damage and repairs, for compliance with housing and University regulations, and protection of the health and safety of occupants or other persons. The University reserves the right to change or cancel residence hall accommodations of any student in cases where such action is deemed necessary. Other regulations pertaining to residence halls are contained in the Residence Hall Contract and Regulations and in the Code of Student Conduct.
University Apartment Housing
The University has a total of twenty unfurnished apartments (one and two bedroom). These facilities are unfurnished other than for kitchen facilities. A deposit equal to one month's rent is required. A one bedroom unit rents for $325 per month and a two bedroom unit for $375 per month. Applications and fees for housing should be directed to the director of Residential Services.
The order of priority for assignment of apartments is as follows: (1) students with dependents, (2) students with co habitants who are not eligible for assignment to the residence halls, (3) emergency housing for faculty staff (for terms of less than six months), and (4) students eligible for assignment to the residence halls.
University Police
University police officers are responsible for law enforcement and vehicle traffic control on campus. Officers are police commissioned by the City of Thibodaux and by the director of Public Safety for the State of Louisiana. They have the right to carry concealed weapons, exercise the power of arrest, and enforce federal, state, and local laws. The Office for University Police is within the administrative area of Student Affairs.
EMERGENCIES. Emergency calls are initiated by dialing 448 4911
(on campus, dial 4911) or by reporting to the office at Ardoyne Drive
and Madewood Drive. Police service is available and officers patrol
the campus 24 hours each day of the year. Depending on the existing
emergency conditions and the seriousness and nature of the problem,
the appropriate University officer will be notified, or the problem
will be addressed directly by the police officer investigating if
it is within his or her jurisdiction to do so
Parking Enforcement
AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION. Any person who operates and parks an automobile on campus must pay a registration fee for an official permit valid from August 1 of each year through August 31 of the next year. The fee is $25 for the academic year and $10 for the summer session. The fee must be paid at the Controller's Office during class registration or within the first seven class days of the fall semester. Decals may be picked up at the Parking Office during office hours upon presenting a receipt from the Controller's Office. Special and temporary parking permits may also be obtained at the Parking Office. Fees are subject to change without notice.
PARKING FACILITIES. Printed regulations, signs, and street and curb markings notify drivers of parking and traffic regulations. Printed regulations are obtained with the registration of an automobile at the Parking Office. Parking spaces are available for non ambulatory disabled persons. Special parking privileges may be obtained through the Parking Office.
The operation of a vehicle on the campus is a privilege granted by the University. The purchase of a parking permit does not guarantee the registrant a parking space, nor does it imply that the University assumes responsibility for that vehicle or its contents. Students, faculty, and staff are deemed to know and understand campus parking regulations by virtue of their choosing to take advantage of campus parking facilities. Each parking violation incurs a $20 fine, with a $20 penalty for late payment.
Bookstore
The University Bookstore, located next to the Post Office in the Student Union building, is open Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. During the first two weeks of classes in the Fall and Spring Semesters, Bookstore hours are extended to accommodate students with evening classes. Hours are posted reflecting said times and dates.
Students are allowed to obtain a full refund on textbook purchases during the first week of class in a semester, with a receipt. After the first week of class, a full refund will be given up to 30 days after start of classes, with a receipt, if within 2 days of purchase. All other textbook refunds within the first 30 days will be honored at 75% of the purchase price, with a receipt. Textbooks must be in original condition. Refunds for Summer Session will be accepted for ONE WEEK ONLY AFTER THE START OF CLASS. Returns for special course sessions such as Intersession are not allowed after the 2nd day of class. A full copy of the Return Policy is available at the Bookstore.
The University Bookstore buys used books back every day. However, the best time to sell used books is during finals week. Selling your textbooks back at the end of a term can cut your net textbook expense by up to one half. Buyback dates and times are posted prior to finals exam week. The Bookstore will pay up to 50% of the book's selling price, if it was requested by your professors for required use for next term, if the bookstore is not overstocked and if it is in good condition. If the book does not meet these criteria, the price paid is then based on the current national demand. For the protection of the students on campus, we always require those selling books to show current student identification.
Selection of textbooks is the responsibility of the academic departments. Course book information requests are sent to the academic departments by the Bookstore every semester. These book requests are completed and returned to the Bookstore so that the textbook procurement cycle can take place. New book prices are established by the publishers. Used books retail for 75% of the new book price.
The University Bookstore stocks all required textbooks and materials. Reference books, cookbooks, paperback readings, and a wide variety of staple materials and supplies are also available. Specialty items, NSU merchandise, greeting cards, graduation supplies, and snacks can also be purchased. U.P.S. services, fax services, sign making, binding and lamination services are all provided for a small fee.
The Bookstore accepts cash, personal checks, travelers cheques, Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover as tender for purchases. A special program called "Textbook Reservations" is now available so that textbooks can be reserved on line at http://nich.bkstore.com. The University Bookstore can be reached by phone at (985) 448-4540 or by fax at (985) 448-4928.
Career Services Center
The Career Services Center at Nicholls, located in the Student Union Ballroom, provides professional coaching and career development services as well as a comprehensive program on resume writing. Students, as well as alumni, are encouraged to register with the Career Services Center during their junior year in college. The office will help students find part-time and summer employment while attending college and full-time employment after graduation. The On-Campus Recruiting Program is designed to assist graduating seniors, graduate students, and alumni with their job search during the spring and fall semesters. A career library, which contains literature on various companies throughout the United States, is available for career research and interview preparation, and the video reading library offers job candidates videotaped materials on interviewing and up-to-date books on job search skills and resume writing. Career Day, an event sponsored by the Career Services Center each October, brings representatives from more than 100 local, regional, and national companies to the campus to interview students and alumni. Throughout the academic year, special Job Search seminars are offered to teach students how to prepare resumes and to learn interviewing skills. Alumni are offered all services and training materials.
Women's Resource and Services Office
- The purpose of the Women's Resource and Services Office (WRSO) is to serve as a centralized location for all victim services, education, intervention and referral efforts related to issues of relationship violence, stalking and sexual violence against women at Nicholls State University. The office will strive to reduce barriers to education that women face in beginning and/or completing their education; specifically barriers associated with threats to safety and its psychological effects.
The WRSO can provide assistance with classes when a crisis prevents students from attending class, career counseling, obtaining and/or being restored to eligibility for financial aid, referrals to on-campus and off-campus community resources, emergency housing with police protection when necessary, counseling and health services, advocacy services throughout the judicial process, legal consultation, and addressing options (criminal, civil, judicial)
University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center (UCC) provides personal counseling for such concerns as depression, stress, self esteem, anxiety, eating disorders, career issues, and relationship issues. Individual, group, and couples counseling sessions are offered. Workshops and presentations are also offered to the campus community and through classes, student organizations, and residence halls. These services are provided by licensed counselors.
All UCC services are confidential and free of charge for registered students, faculty, and staff. The UCC is located in 224 Elkins Hall. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 448-4080 for information and appointments. For after hour emergencies call University Police at 448-4911.
Office of Disability Services
Programs and services for students with disabilities are available through the Office of Disabled Student Services which assists students in making adjustments to university life. Students with disabilities must first self-identify with the Office of Disabled Student Services and provide current documentation of their disability from an appropriate licensed professional regarding the nature and extent of the disability and the recommended accommodations. Before any accommodations will be made documentation must be provided. The Office of Disabled Student Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 101, in conjunction with the Testing Center. Call 448-4430 for information and appointments.
Testing Center
- The Testing Center in Peltier Hall, Room 101, administers a variety of tests pertinent to prospective and enrolled University students, and others. The following tests are of importance to prospective students: American College Test (ACT), ACT Residual, and the University Pre-Enrollment Placement (PEP) tests. The PEP tests are used by Nicholls to place students in the correct levels of English, mathematics and reading. Enrolled students may avail themselves of tests required for admission to advanced study. These include, the Graduate Record Exam (Subject Areas), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Other tests which may be of importance to both prospective and enrolled students are the National League for Nursing (NLN), Center for Nursing Education and Testing (ACE), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Automotive Service for Excellence (ASE) and correspondence exams.
Specialized tests and inventories useful in helping the students are given in conjunction with the Freshman Studies and Academic Success. Students requesting special testing accommodations must have documentation on file in the Office of Disability Services.
Speech and Hearing Center
The Jo Carol Nolen Speech, Language, and Hearing Center, located in Talbot Hall, has a dual function. It offers clinical practice to students training in communicative disorders. It also offers diagnostic and management services to college students, children, and adults in the Nicholls area to help them overcome communication disorders which could impair their educational, professional, and cultural growth. Such disorders include articulation problems, fluency disorders, voice disorders, aphasia, laryngectomy, and speech disorders associated with cleft palate and cerebral palsy. Individuals with varying degrees of hearing impairment are also seen for evaluation and rehabilitation.
The center is under the direction of the Department of Allied Health Sciences. All diagnostic and management services are performed or are closely supervised by qualified personnel who have earned the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association and who are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center provides on-site support to families in the region. Its mission is to support and strengthen families by offering resources, information, and skill development classes. Family and individual support through the center is available through a toll-free telephone line answered by volunteers from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with after hours and holiday coverage through an answering machine. Annually, a community resource directory is published. The center provides skill building out-reach programs and on-campus programs for students in parenting, budgeting, self esteem, family communications, nutrition, positive discipline, conflict resolution and others on demand. A staff is available to address, develop and implement new ideas and programs identified by professionals and community residents. Outreach programs are made available through schools, daycare centers, churches, businesses, and recreation facilities. The center is open for the lending of resources, parent support groups, and services.
The University Community agency network (U.C.A.N.) operates through the Family Resource Center and provides information about and refers individuals to various non-profit agencies. Students are encouraged to volunteer in assisting with the telephone line. UCAN is located in the portable building to the rear of the Family and Consumer Sciences Building.
NSU-Family Service Center
The NSU-Family Service Center is dedicated to enhancing the social and cultural infrastructure of south central Louisiana. The Family Service Center operates as an intake center for referrals from the Office of Community Services and Families in Need of Services programs. The center provides supportive services to families and utilizes a family systems perspective in treatment planning and service delivery. Parenting skills training, home-based counseling programs, mentor programs, support groups for families, respite, health services, homemaker and housing assistance, substance abuse services, independent living skills, individual and family therapy and play therapy are supportive services provided to families in the Lafourche, Terrebonne and Assumption parish areas. The case management services funded by and delivered through the Family Service Center accommodate the needs of families by establishing permanency, safety and well-being and promote community involvement so every family has an opportunity to experience a quality of life conducive to maximizing individual potential.
Bus Service
For information on bus service students should contact their local parish school board office.
Voter Registration
Students may register to vote in the ID Card Operations Office located in the Donald G. Bollinger Student Union. When a student first obtains an identification card, he or she will be offered a voter registration form; if the student is already registered to vote, or does not wish to register, he or she must so indicate in writing.