COLONEL CLOSET
CASE MENU
MISSION
Our mission is to reduce the environmental impact of wasted goods by providing students, faculty, and staff in need at Nicholls State University with access to donated reusable basic necessities including clothing, household goods, small furniture items, and school supplies at no cost.
When the basic necessities of life are provided for, students will persevere in their studies and be successful in the larger mission of why they are here at Nicholls State University.
WHO WE ARE
The Colonel Closet initiative created through the Department of Student Affairs became a vision of hope following the ever growing concern for the basic needs of students impacted by circumstances beyond their control. Students have been affected by natural disasters, life crises, financial insecurity, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, the university family has generously come together during these emergent times of need to provide support for our students. Now is the time to have a sustainable plan in place for the future. A plan that addresses basic needs of students, faculty, and staff with the goal of promoting socially responsible consumerism through our commitment to waste diversion. We aim to divert reusable materials from landfills.
At the end of the spring semester, most college students are eager to move on and leave with less. Packing and moving items collected throughout the year can become a burden for students and they would rather leave reusable items behind – including appliances, clothing, furniture, and school supplies. Leaving these reusable items behind, however, creates an abundant amount of waste. Nicholls State University is ready to provide a sustainable solution to the challenge of reducing waste and saving money: The Colonel Closet. Redistributing usable items to others directly impacts reducing landfill waste, preserving water, reducing chemical pollution, and ultimately reducing our carbon footprint all while helping each other out. So, let’s all Reduce… Reuse…. Recycle….
Our aim is to encourage the Colonel community to reconsider their traditional view of waste and incorporate reuse into their daily lives. The reuse of gently used items offers the Colonel community a fun and responsible alternative shopping experience by extending the lifespan of things that are typically thrown away.
Don’t Ditch It…..Donate It to The Colonel Closet!
WHAT'S NEW
Through collaborative partnerships with Terrebonne Churches United Food Bank (TCU), Second Harvest Food Bank, Dairy Max, and a generous donation from the Bayou Community Foundation, the Colonel Closet is able to provide the university community with access to food, dairy, personal hygiene, and household supplies at no cost.
DONATIONS
We accept donations from students, faculty and staff, as well as the community. The Colonel Closet does hope to encourage consumers to pay it forward through their own acts of waste diversion by becoming future donors. Donations can be made directly to The Colonel Closet during operational hours.
The Colonel Closet accepts donations all year. We are looking for quality, clean items with reuse potential. Please be mindful of this when making donations. Donated items can include: sealed toiletries, cooking utensils, kitchenware, paper goods, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, clothing of all kinds and sizes (casual and career), small furniture items, bedding, towels, decorative items, dorm room items, mini refrigerators, microwaves, lamps, desk chairs, school supplies, and financial donations. Please contact colonelcloset@nicholls.edu (985.493.2529) for information on how to provide a financial contribution. Surplus items will be donated to local non-profit organizations.
The Colonel Closet is available to any currently enrolled student, faculty, staff and a Colonel Identification card will need to be presented to access.
We’re happy to let you know if we accept something, so email colonelcloset@nicholls.edu if you are unsure. Here’s a small list of items we accept:
- Bras
- Dress shirts and blouses
- Button down shirts
- Short and long sleeve shirts
- Jeans
- Khakis and chinos
- Dress pants
- Suits
- Dresses and skirts
- Shorts
- Accessories like belts, ties, bags, purses, scarves
- Shoes
- Coats
- NEW hats, socks and underwear (must have tags or be in packaging)
- Non Perishable food items within expiration date
- Bottled water
- Working electronics with accessory attachments
- Kitchen/cookware
- Small appliances (microwave, mini refrigerator, crockpot, coffee pot,etc.)
- Bedding
- Home decor
- New/unopened personal hygiene products
- Small furniture
*Please make sure donated clothing items are freshly laundered or dry cleaned.
Items we will not accept include:
- Nonfunctional items
- Items with missing parts
- Torn or stained clothing/bedding/towels
- Previously worn undergarments
- Large furniture items (call Andi Sonnier 985.493.2529 to discuss large furniture options)
FOLLOW US:
LOCATION & HOURS
FALL/SPRING HOURS:
Monday – Friday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
SUMMER HOURS:
Tuesday, 10:00am-1:00pm
Wednesday, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Thursday, 10:00am-1:00pm
The Colonel Closet is located on the first floor of Brady Clubhouse and will be open when the university is open. Please contact Andi Sonnier @ 985.493.2529 or Dean of Students, Dr. Janice Lyn, @ 985.448.4563 for emergent access.
Email colonelcloset@nicholls.edu for more information.
CAMPUS LOCATION
DONATE TODAY!
The Colonel Closet accepts donations year around and has multiple locations available for your convenience. You can donate items directly to the Colonel Closet located in Brady Clubhouse or to the following campus locations: Callais Recreation Center, Bollinger Student Union, and the lobbies of the following campus residential halls: Scholars, Ellender, Millet, and Zeringue. Be on the look-out for the Colonel Closet Donation bins.
