University President

To: Faculty and Staff
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

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.

To: The University Community
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

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.

To: The University Community
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

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.

To: The University Community
From: Stephen T. Hulbert, President

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’!