STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS
Student Government Association [ Top of Page ]
The Student Government Association is composed of every student enrolled for seven or more hours, each paying $5 in self-assessment fees to the SGA.
The Organization Mission Statement is "The NSU Student Senate and Executive Board are diversified students dedicated to serving, representing, and unifying the student body of Nicholls State university. As a team, this mission is accomplished by exercising proper resource management, acting as the students voice, and sponsoring projects and events that create a bond among the Nicholls Community. To this end, we strive to create the best possible college experience for all students."
The Executive Board includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Director of Public Relations, Director of Student Rights & Grievances and Secretary (staff). The student body elects the President, Vice President and a Student Senate. One Senator is elected for every 300 fee-paying students in each college along with nine Senators at Large and five Freshman from University College. The Treasurer, Director of Public Relations and Director of Student Rights & Grievances are appointed by the President with Senate approval. All serve a one-year term.
The Student Supreme Court of the SGA consists of seven members jointly appointed by the Presidents of Student Government Association and Student Programming Association with approval of the SGA Senate. The SGA Election Commission consists of five members. The SGA and SPA Presidents jointly appoint an Election Commissioner and each appoint two non-SGA and SPA officials with the approval of the SGA Senate.
Officers and Senate elections (except for the Freshman Class) are held each Spring. Freshman class elections are conducted in the Fall.
Student Programming Association [ Top of Page ]
The Student Programming Association provides entertainment and activities to enhance the social and educational atmosphere of the University. Activities are generally free to students enrolled for seven or more credit hours and who have paid the self assessment SPA fees.
An executive board includes a president, vice president, treasurer/secretary, publicity coordinator, faculty/staff representative, and five chairpersons. The president and vice president are elected by the student body. The treasurer/secretary, publicity coordinator, and the five chairpersons are appointed by the president and executive board. Committees are Multi-Cultural Events and Speakers, Special Events, Entertainment, Interactive Events, Tournament, and Travel and Spirit. Committee meetings are held on a regular schedule, usually in the afternoon. All students are encouraged to participate in one or more SPA committees.
Programs offered to benefit both commuters and residence hall students include block parties, comedy acts, lectures, and movies. Annual events include Crawfish Day and Watermelon Day. Big-name entertainment is also an SPA service; past concerts have included Third Eye Blind, Tyrese, Stroke Nine and Everclear. SPA is also active in such traditional campus events as Homecoming and Family Day. Each semester the President and University administrators serve breakfast to students during mid-term examination week.
Student Organizations [ Top of Page ]
The University offers all students many opportunities to participate in extra and co-curricular activities through membership in anyone of over a hundred organizations. These student groups have faculty or staff advisors to assist them in planning activities which supplement the University's course offerings. They also provide opportunities for self governance, creativity, self-expression, and leadership experience. Campus organizations range from departmental/academic, honorary, service, social (including fraternities & sororities), religious, and special interest groups. More specific information can be obtained in the Office of Student Life which administers the Student Organizations Program.
Student Judicial Affairs [ Top of Page ]
The Office of Student Judicial Affairs located in the Student Life Office and is primarily responsible for assisting, supporting and encouraging the development of good character and responsible citizenship. To this end, the University expects students to respect the rights of others as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana which include the right to due process of law. Guided by the "Student Code of Conduct", sanctions may be imposed on any student for violations of the "Code" for situations which deter the mission, purpose, function or goals of the University.
Residence Life [ Top of Page ]
The primary responsibility of Residence Life is to assist resident students by providing programs and services that enhance and support their academic and professional goals in a safe University residential setting. Studies show that students who reside on campus are more likely to have higher grade point averages, become more involved in leadership and service activities, have broader intellectual and social experiences and are generally better prepared to respond to challenges in their lives beyond college.
A full time professional Residence Life staff is available 24 hours a day to assist resident students with "community building" programs and activities in their halls, provide emergency response, oversee maintenance and safety procedures, and make referrals for academic or other concerns as needed.
Greek Life [ Top of Page ]
Greek Life at Nicholls has been a time honored tradition since 1967, and today, all students are invited to take a look at what we have to offer. Nicholls prides itself on the outstanding achievements of its six sororities and nine fraternities, which are all nationally affiliated. These organizations all share the common values of brotherhood/sisterhood, leadership, scholarship and community service. Greeks constitute the largest student group on campus and typically provide much of the excitement and enthusiasm among students. The life-long friendships made during the undergraduate years will provide any student with memories that last forever. Join the tradition!
Campus Recreation [ Top of Page ]
The Campus Recreation program provides many opportunities for all students to participate in a wide variety of physical activities that support and promote health and wellness on campus. The intramural program provides organized individual and team sports, but does not require the intense training and high level of skill associate with varsity athletics. Playing ability is not as important as the desire to participate. Facilities and equipment are also available to students for personal recreational use. These include racquet ball, aerobics, weight room and other equipment including use of a gymnasium for leisure purposes. All program announcements are posted on campus student organization bulletin boards and in the Student Union
The Ayo Swimming Pool serves as a multi-purpose facility for academic and recreational use. Recreational swimming is available to the University community during the warmer months (generally April thru October).
Current I.D. cards or special passes are required for admission. Hours of operation are posted at the pool office prior to opening each Spring.
Athletics [ Top of Page ]
MISSION
Intercollegiate athletics, as an integral part of Nicholls State University, develops the leadership of student-athletes in a setting that combines achievement in intercollegiate athletics competition with academic excellence and community service. Athletics provides opportunities for student-athletes to achieve their maximum potential on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Athletics creates a forum for celebrating the University’s advancement and builds winning relationships with local, regional, and national audiences. Through the participation of the student-athlete, athletics instills the high standards of honesty and good sportsmanship reflecting the honor and dignity that characterize participation in competitive sports in the collegiate setting.
Conference Membership
Nicholls State University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Nicholls is classified as an NCAA Division I institution in all sports except football, which is classified as NCAA Division I AA. Nicholls is a member of the Southland Conference. The Athletics Department supports and follows all current NCAA and Southland Conference provisions regarding satisfactory academic progress of its student-athletes as well as NCAA requirements for admission of new student athletes. Nicholls competes in the following intercollegiate sports for men: football, basketball, baseball, golf, cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field; women's sports include volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, soccer, cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.
Publications [ Top of Page ]
The Nicholls Worth is the weekly tabloid newspaper written and produced by student staff members. They handle all advertising, reporting, editing, layout, design, photography and distribution duties for this All-American award-winning publication. Any full-time student is eligible to apply to work on the paper.
La Pirogue, published annually since the University opened as a junior college in 1948, records the year's activities with photographs and stories. Students design, write, photograph and produce the book, using contemporary design and style. Any full-time student is eligible to apply to work on the publication.
Mosaic, the annual student literary publication sponsored by the Nicholls English Society, is written and edited by students from across the campus. In addition to poetry, essays, short dramas, and stories,Mosaic also publishes music, art, and photography.
Other well-known publications are the Manual for Student Organizations; The Code of Student Conduct, The Paddle, the student handbook prepared by the Office of Student Life; and The Colonel, the alumni quarterly, published by the Alumni Federation.
Radio Station [ Top of Page ]
KNSU FM, Louisiana's only student operated and -managed radio station, provides varied programs of music, news, public affairs, discussions, and interviews at 91.5 on the dial. The signal of the 250-watt non-commercial station extends twenty miles beyond the campus.
Choir [ Top of Page ]
Choral ensembles include the NSU Concert Choir, Gospel Choir, and Nicholls Chamber Singers. Singers in each ensemble receive one hour credit. Each group performs several times during the academic year. Membership in choral organizations is by audition.
Band [ Top of Page ]
Membership in the University Band is determined by audition. The band meets six periods per week, and each member receives one semester hour of credit each semester for attendance, participation, and performance at scheduled events, especially football games, basketball games, fall and spring concerts, and commencement exercises.
Campus Ministry [ Top of Page ]
On the Nicholls campus two modern religious centers are open to all students. They are the Baptist Student Union and the Catholic Student Center which houses the Catholic Parish of St. Thomas Aquinas.
United Methodists on Campus meets in Vernon F. Galliano Hall Cafeteria and welcomes any student, faculty, or staff member.
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship is a Christian group open to all students from any church background.
Peer Assistance [ Top of Page ]
Nicholls strives for a safe, drug free living and learning environment. This program provides the University with education and prevention programs as well as a clearinghouse of information. Peer Assistance is housed within the SGA suite in the Student Union. The program is composed of three facets.
PEER EDUCATION consists of college students who have volunteered and are trained to work with other students. They empower other students to make healthy and responsible decisions in the areas of substance abuse, sexual assault, drinking and driving, HIV/AIDS, low self esteem, time management, stress management and other problematic areas. This program sponsors four Peer Education Teams (substance abuse, sexual assault, advocacy, and interpersonal relations).
INSIGHT THEATER is a group of college students whose purpose is to help educate students about the many complex social issues which they face. They offer dramatic presentations concerning intricate personal and social issues generally associated with high school and college students. Their performing schedule is during the fall and spring semesters. Local high schools, youth rallies, NSU campus, and state conferences are their audiences.
AWARENESS ACTIVITIES consist of students interested in sharing knowledge with others for national weeks such as Red Ribbon Week, Safe Spring Break, Great American Smoke Out, and Sexual Assault Awareness Week. The students distribute brochures and share information with others who pass by their information table in the Student Union.
Upward Bound Victory [ Top of Page ]
Upward Bound Victory is a federally funded program designed to prepare and motivate high school students to continue into post-secondary education. Students are chosen on the basis of family financial status and the participant’s academic potential to engage in intense, structured activities, services, and classes. The program includes tutorial services, postsecondary planning and search activities. ACT preparation, exposure to college options and a six-week residential Summer Institute on the campus. Upward Bound Victor is housed in Meade Hall.
Talented and Gifted [ Top of Page ]
The Nicholls State University Talented and Gifted Program is a commuter program for academically gifted students enrolled in grades six through eleven. The students enroll in three non-credit courses during the six-week summer session.
Reading Center Services [ Top of Page ]
Tutoring services for children in grades one through eight are available in the Reading Center within the Department of Teacher Education. Sessions include diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties and are provided by elementary education majors and master's degree candidates.
Special Education Services [ Top of Page ]
Remediation of basic skill deficits in the areas of reading and math for children at risk for school failure and for children with mild/moderate disabilities is available within the Department of Teacher Education. Services during the regular school year are provided by preservice special education teachers. Services during the summer are provided by teachers enrolled in a graduate practicum.
Emerging Leaders Program [ Top of Page ]
Emerging Leaders is a university sponsored student leadership program designed to further the development of the university's future leaders by refining their current leadership abilities, helping them establish a leadership philosophy, and instilling in them a commitment to the campus and community. This program empowers students who show potential for future leadership positions both within our own campus community and the greater global community after graduation. By being a participant, students will have an excellent opportunity to refine their leadership abilities, connect with other student leaders, and set personal goals while taking advantage of the opportunities afforded them by the University. Students are encouraged to enroll in leadership courses (UNIV 151 or UNIV 152) offered by the University, as well as attend local, state, regional, and national conferences and leadership workshops. The Emerging Leaders Program is operated and administered by the Donald G. Bollinger Memorial Student Union office.