Re: Bond Closing

It is with great pleasure that I announce today the sale of bonds that will finance the renovations of the Vernon F. Galliano Hall Cafeteria, portions of the Donald G. Bollinger Memorial Student Union, and the resurfacing of streets and parking lots. After overcoming many delays and hurdles that resulted from Hurricane Katrina, these two extremely important projects will now begin to move forward. Shortly after the finance closing on May 11, design work will resume on the Cafeteria/Student Union renovations, with a completion date of June 2007. Construction on the three new concrete parking lots will begin this month and is scheduled for completion by mid summer. Design for the asphalt work will be accomplished shortly, and work should be finished sometime this fall. Completion of these projects will greatly improve campus facilities for our students.

I thank the campus community, in particular our student body, for their patience as the University completed the financing plan.

On April 12, 2006, the President’s Cabinet approved changes to the university’s policy regarding the use of tobacco products on campus. These changes were adopted after an extensive review of campus policies, practices, and literature regarding smoking on college campuses across America. The University Social and Community Concerns Committee completed an extensive report on this matter November 30, 2005. The report was submitted for review and comment to the Student Government Association, the Faculty Senate and the Classified and Unclassified Employee Advisory Committees. The President’s Cabinet considered comments submitted by these various campus constituencies when it adopted the following policy regarding the use of tobacco products on campus.

Use of Tobacco Products on Campus Effective August 1, 2006

The use of tobacco products is prohibited in and within 25 feet of university buildings and on university sidewalks.

Lessons learned during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will result in a much more detailed university emergency plan. The plan will address threats of natural and manmade disasters. Included in this review is preparation for the upcoming 2006 hurricane season. It is the intent of the university to revise its policy to allow for closure in time for students, faculty and staff to safely evacuate. Prior to June 1, 2006, the beginning of hurricane season, the university will electronically distribute to all students, faculty and staff, an updated campus plan for this hurricane season. The plan will address timely notification, evacuation, and procedures for maintaining communication throughout an emergency as well as any recovery period. The plan will also be posted on the university’s web page, which can be located at http://www.nicholls.edu. Should the university’s web page become inaccessible, the emergency plan can be accessed at http://emergency.nicholls.edu.

Recent print media coverage has noted the Spring 2006 enrollment for Nicholls State University. As anticipated, that enrollment declined by 6.0 percent, from 6,922 students to 6,504. The raw data previously has been shared within the University-community and may be accessed at www.nicholls.edu on the Nicholls website.

With the transition to selective admissions last fall, followed by the devastating impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Nicholls first saw a decline in new freshmen and then hosted 645 visiting students who had lost their home and/or home institution. The University also lost 570 of its own students who had been impacted by the hurricanes in one way or another.

This spring, of the 645 visiting students served by the University in the aftermath of the storms, 115 returned as Nicholls students. Additionally, 147 of the 570 Nicholls students who resigned last fall have now returned to the campus. We remain hopeful that more of these resigned students will return to the University as they get their affairs back in order. Involved administrative personnel are working to assist these students in their effort to resume their studies.

The largest decrease in the Spring 2006 enrollment was in the freshman class. With enrollment standards, we admitted 348 fewer freshmen into the fall entering class. For the spring semester, we admitted 176 new freshmen, down 26 from last year’ 202. The good news is these students are more academically prepared than last year’, with an average ACT of 19.29 compared to 17.24 in 2005. The sophomore class is up 121 students to 1,441 from last year’s 1320, while the junior and senior classes showed a slight decrease. Graduate enrollment shows a decrease of 20, from 645 to 625 (3.1%). As a note, we had 20 more graduate students complete their degree studies during fall 2005 commencement compared to the previous fall.

Retention of all first-time entering freshmen is down slightly from 82.72% to 81.31%. If we look at those who are receiving the TOPS scholarship, we see a significant increase in the retention of those students, from 87.74% to 88.84%. Retention of African American students is up once again, from 82.70% to 82.90%. That retention rate surpasses the figure for all other students, which declined from 82.50% to 81.04%.

The decrease in enrollment was felt across many academic departments. However, a few departments managed to increase enrollment despite the overall decline in university enrollment. The undergraduate enrollment in Applied Sciences (11.5%), Accounting and Business Law (1.3%), Economics and Finance (15.7%), and Family and Consumer Sciences (1.1%) reflected increases. Enrollment decreases in undergraduate programs were more significant in the following areas: History and Social Sciences (-13.4%), Physical Sciences (-37.5%), Management and Marketing (-22.1%), and General Studies (-22.0%). Graduate enrollment improved in the College of Arts and Sciences (32.1%) and in the College of Education (2.3%), and decreased in the College of Business Administration (-17.8%).

Again, for more detail on the Spring 2006 enrollment, please go to http://www.nicholls.edu/ir/Publications/Enr%20Stats%20Sp06.pdf on the Nicholls website.

In my e-mail yesterday, I announced that savings initiatives were being reviewed for possible implementation. I have today decided to implement measures to conserve energy across the campus. I have directed Physical Plant personnel to make those changes today. However, each of you will also participate in this process in order to maximize our energy savings. The plan includes the following:

1. Thermostats will be raised 4° for cooling, and lowered 4° for heating.
2. Thermostats on domestic hot water heaters will be lowered to 120°.
3. Employees are directed to turn off all unneeded room lights, to turn off lights at the end of each work day, and to completely power down all computer systems at the end of the day. This includes all computer labs.

Please note that with our rapidly changing weather, there will be times when certain areas may be warmer/cooler than we want, but it will be quickly adjusted. Also, please be advised that the use of space heaters is prohibited. With the change in room temperatures, please plan to dress accordingly.

Your cooperation is requested and appreciated.

Through previous correspondence I have shared information regarding requests from the state for projections of dollar savings that could be made against the current fiscal year budget for Nicholls State University. While the University has not received any further information in this mater it is clear that contingency planning must be put into place in the event actual budget reductions are put into place.

I am using this means to notify faculty, staff and students alike that existing savings initiatives are being reviewed while others being considered for implementation. As the likelihood of significant budget cuts grows day by day, I am requesting that the Expanded President’s Cabinet begin meeting to conduct a thorough review of financial contingency planning within the University.

The Expanded President’s Cabinet is composed of the following:

• Stephen Hulbert
• Carroll Falcon
• Larry Howell
• Eugene Dial
• Lionel Naquin
• David Boudreaux
• Mike Davis
• Mike Delaune
• Sharon Daigle
• Stephanie Caballero
• Linda Peltier
• Mike Naquin
• Susan Roark * President, Faculty Senate
• Damian Breaux * President, SGA
• Michelle Caruso * Chair, Unclassified Staff Advisory Committee
• Sue Aysen * Co-Chair, Classified Advisory Committee
• Judy Landry * Co-Chair, Classified Advisory Committee

I am using this means to ask all areas of University operations to reduce discretionary spending wherever possible. I am also inviting every community member to suggest efficiency measures which might lead to actual dollar savings. Suggestions should be submitted through the appropriate area Vice President or the Provost.

Until the state government, including the legislature, concludes its work with regard to the current financial challenges facing Louisiana, state agencies, including the public colleges and universities, will operate with considerable uncertainty. The longer delay in acting the less flexibility the University has in meeting any imposed budget cuts without affecting the academic program.

Through the hard work and support of all Nicholls State University community members, we will successfully move through this period of uncertainty and financial challenge. In doing so, our collective effort has to be focused on protecting the integrity of the institution and its academic programs.

Last week was one of considerable uncertainty in the matter of financial challenges facing Louisiana and, more specifically, the budget reduction being considered for all aspects of state government. By Wednesday, Nicholls State University had received notification of a 3% budget cut amounting to $749,427. Less then 24 hours later the percentage reduction had grown to a total of 5% and a loss of state appropriation amounting to $1,305,580.

Finally, on Friday University staff received a copy of correspondence from the Division of Administration outlining the 5% reduction and suggesting that a second 5% might be necessary. This correspondence instructed agencies of state government to submit a plan for 5% reduction accompanied by a second financial planning scenario detailing how the agencies would implement the full 10% cut. These financial plans were to be submitted almost immediately and contain information regarding the actual expenditures to be reduced to meet the new allocation total.

Based on enrollment issues this fall and previous warnings of the necessity for a budget reduction the University reduced spending some months ago. Yesterday a very preliminary scenario was submitted but with the statement that a 5% reduction of $1,305,580 is an unrealistic amount to cut. Given the circumstances of the past couple of months, especially the impact of selective admissions, the costs of hurricane damage, four shelters on the University campus, and the services to 645 displaced Louisiana students plus – having 7 out of 10 of the University’s primary service parishes being impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, student recruitment efforts for January and Fall 2006 has been significantly impaired. In combination, a 5% budget reduction could produce a very real interruption of the academic program and services to students. The preliminary 5% budget cut is based primarily on reductions in vacant staff and faculty positions, a curtailment of overtime, and reductions in travel and supply budgets. As there has been little opportunity to discuss this matter within the University community, and the administration is committed to that effort leading to shared governance, these areas of reduction are of a temporary nature and subject to change as other savings opportunities present themselves.

Nicholls State University has not submitted a planning scenario for an additional 5% cut. The first 5% reduction would be accomplished with significant stress to the University. The second 5% reduction would create financial hardship and a damaging impact to the academic programs of major consequences. It is especially burdensome in light of the extensive dollar amount, yet to be reimbursed by FEMA and the tuition revenues owed in behalf of the hundreds of visiting students.

There is no question that the State of Louisiana is facing significant financial challenges as a result of the loss of $971,000,000 in revenue, and unfortunately Higher Education and the state’s healthcare system are the only two areas of state government that are not constitutionally protected. These agencies, therefore, face the threat of significant budget reductions. It is just as clear, however, that public higher education is needed now more than ever in building or rebuilding a prepared work force and in creating impetus for needed economic development.

Nicholls will do its part in the statewide effort but, at the same time, there must be a partnership that recognizes the role of the state’s public colleges and universities toward this effort. In the meantime, the University will do all that it can to maintain a balanced operating budget and focus its attention on serving its student body and the broader region.

This fall semester was to have been highlighted by Nicholls State University’s transition to selective admissions standards and for the institution’s completion of preparations for the reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges * Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC). Unfortunately, the unanticipated visit of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as well as the almost overwhelming events in the aftermath of these storms has focused University community attention in very different areas.

Now, as we complete mid-terms and again focus our collective attention on the remaining work of the academic semester, it is also appropriate to revisit the status of fall enrollment and preparations for the reaffirmation of accreditation.

Our shared vision for Nicholls guided our efforts over the past seven weeks in maintaining a quality institution of higher education dedicated to meeting the unique geographic and multi-cultural needs of south central Louisiana and beyond. Certainly, the challenges we have faced together in the storm aftermath has reflected that commitment.

As life was disrupted in the New Orleans area and many of the parishes, towns, and cities along the Gulf coast, Lafourche Parish, Thibodaux and Nicholls State University were challenged to open their collective doors to fellow Louisiana and Mississippi citizens in need. Over the past month and a half shelters on the Nicholls campus have played host to upwards of ten to twelve thousand evacuees. Additionally, there are 645 visiting students from Delgado, UNO, Xavier, SUNO, Holy Cross, Tulane, Dillard, Loyola and others colleges and universities throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans area.

The good news about Fall 2005 enrollment is that once the fourteenth class day passed the final University enrollment total reflected a modest increase of 49 students (0.7%) to 7,531. First-time freshmen (FTF) brought with them a record average composite ACT of 20.51, a substantial increase from last year’s 19.73. Additionally, exceptions to the admissions standards amounted to 12.5% which was below the threshold limit set by the Board of Regents.

The challenging news involving Fall 2005 enrollment that we face together is that the number of visiting students from other institutions masked a significant decline against this time a year ago. Without those displaced students the University’s enrollment would have been 6,886 a substantial and disturbing decrease of 596 or 8.0% from Fall 2004. Some of this loss of enrollment was anticipated due to the implementation of the new admission standards and involved a decline of 348 first-time freshmen against what was anticipated to be a 300 to 350 decline. Some of this loss was related to a 150% increase in resignations prior to the 14th class day, most of which were hurricane related. Also, the University faced an unanticipated decrease in transfer students (237 from 335 * 29.3%) and readmit students (399 from 510 * 21.8%). Some of this later decrease may be due to a smaller number of students than anticipated not being admitted to the Selective I and Selective II schools due to the new admission standards. Another factor contributing to this decrease may have been an incorrect assumption by potential readmits that they were required to meet the new admission requirements. Also, the appreciably lower cost of community colleges tuition/fees may have been a factor.

Community members wishing to review enrollment data in detail are invited to visit the University website at http://www.nicholls.edu/ir/Publications/Enroll%20Stats%20Fa05.pdf. The following summary information was derived from that data:

Although retention rates decreased from the record high of last year (64.3% down to 59.9%), actual retention head counts increased in many areas (up 50 FTF retained; up 89 FTF on TOPS retained; up in all FTF retained by each ethnicity group; up 82 retained over all classifications).

Historically, the majority of students attending Nicholls are from the eight-parish region surrounding the institution. Last year, 85.0% of the student body came from this region. Currently, 83.9% of ‘regular’ students are coming from within this region. When considering these students, all eight of these parishes experienced a decline. If the ‘displaced’ students are factored in, five of these parishes increased and three experienced a decrease.

Enrollments considered by major, whether in the senior colleges or University College, have seen an increase in some programs for this semester. General Business, Accounting, Psychology, Finance, and Petroleum Services experienced the largest increases in enrollment (ranging from up 80 to up 13). Finance, Sociology, Petroleum Services, General Business, and Geomatics experienced the largest percentage increases (ranging from up 30.0% to up 20.8%). Slight increases were evident in Biological Sciences, Mass Communication, Mathematics, Manufacturing Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Culinary Arts, Communicative Disorders, and Nursing. The only area of graduate studies that increased was the new Master of Science in Community/Technical College Mathematics.

At the undergraduate level, the largest decreases in the number of majors were evident in General Studies, Marketing, Agricultural Business, Teacher Education, Computer Information Systems, and Pre-Engineering (ranging from down 58 to down15 majors). The largest decreases by percentage at the undergraduate level were Agricultural Business, Pre-Engineering, English, Marketing, General Studies, and Computer Information Systems (ranging from down 38.7% to down 11.8%).

The largest programs in a Bachelor’s program are: Nursing (868), Teacher Education (766), Biological Sciences (463), General Business (453), and General Studies (406). The smallest programs included: Music (19), Geomatics (29), Agricultural Business (31), Pre-Engineering (37), and Chemistry (37).

Displaced students were originally enrolled at Delgado (265), UNO (219), Xavier (37), SUNO (26), Holy Cross (21), Tulane (19), Dillard (18), Loyola (10) and others (30). Most of these students (89.6%) are from one of the eight parishes surrounding Nicholls. That is why only a few of these students needed housing accommodations.

This semester has been very challenging to the entire community. The future is also a challenge because of budget constraints and the uncertainty concerning enrollment. With challenges come opportunities. We have an opportunity to better define Nicholls, its offerings, and its contributions to this region and state. More students could make Nicholls their number one choice! We, as a community, have the opportunity to make Nicholls the place to ‘Learn, Live and Lead’!

Yesterday afternoon just before 5:00 p.m., the last remaining evacuation shelters closed on the campus of Nicholls State University. After an intensive week of individual and family counseling by Red Cross professionals and other volunteers, approximately 25 remaining evacuees were moved to a shelter in Houma. The consolidation of the Nicholls’ shelters with that in Houma will permit mental health professionals and relocation specialists of the Red Cross and other volunteer organizations to focus their concerted effort to help the remaining evacuees find a new home.

I want to use this means to acknowledge the many contributions of the University’s staff and students alike throughout the past 55 days. Through the extraordinary generosity of University community members and, along with that of hundreds upon hundreds of citizens from the Thibodaux and broader Lafourche Parish communities, together we have served upwards of 10,000 to 12,000 evacuees.

As the Stopher and Shaver shelters closed, Red Cross volunteers from across the United States and Canada offered their thanks for the wonderfully kind treatment that they had received while on the Nicholls campus and during their time in Thibodaux. Similar comments were often heard from appreciative evacuees over the past eight weeks.

Each of us at Nicholls and in the broader community has reason to be very proud of all that we have accomplished together. Thank you!

Each summer as part of the formal budget development process Louisiana’s public colleges and universities submit an updated organizational chart. A copy of the 2005-2006 Organizational Chart for Nicholls State University accompanies this correspondence. The new chart will not be final until approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The most substantive changes are those involving the positions held by Lionel Naquin, as the University’s chief financial officer, and Eugene Dial, the University’s chief student affairs officer. In both cases the position title has been changed to more clearly reflect the role and responsibilities of the incumbent.

Effective July 1, 2005, Business Affairs has been changed to that of the Division of Finance and Administration. Through this change, Lionel Naquin takes over full responsibility for all aspects of facilities administration, safety and campus procurement. As the chart indicates, however, I will still play a direct role in Capital Outlay planning.

The student affairs change does not entail any reassignment of responsibilities but rather adds emphasis on the recruitment of students. Effective July 1, 2005, the Division of Student Affairs is now the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services.

In addition to the above, the Honors Program will move to the University College as requested by Faculty Senate.

2005 Organizaiontal Chart – (PDF)