THIBODAUX – The University of Louisiana System submitted Nicholls State University’s response to the latest Board of Regents low-completer program review on Monday, Feb. 28.
Nicholls administrators proposed that all but one of its 16 designated low-completer programs – Business Education, Grades 6-12 – be consolidated with other programs or continued as distinct programs.
“This recommendation is based on the fact that two years ago, Nicholls thoroughly reviewed all low completer programs outside of general education and education as well as programs which had been in existence for less than five years,” Dr. Laynie Barrilleaux, vice president for academic affairs, said in an e-mail to faculty and staff on Tuesday, March 1.
“As a result of this proactive process, a total of eight programs were approved for termination by the Board of Regents in 2009-10.”
Terminated degree programs included the following:
1. Associate of Science in Legal Assistant Studies
2. Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
3. Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
4. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
5. Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology
6. Bachelor of Arts in French
7. Bachelor of Arts in French Education – Grades K-12
8. Associate of Science in Cardiopulmonary Care Science
Noting that Nicholls took the lead among UL System institutions in spring 2009 to terminate these programs, which resulted in cost savings and personnel layoffs, Dr. Stephen T. Hulbert, university president, said terminating the programs currently viewed as “low-completer” would cause unfair harm to the university and the community it serves.
Hulbert said the current, targeted programs are either unique to the state, crucial to workforce development in the Bayou Region and/or vital to progressing the national “STEM” agenda to build enrollment in science, technology, engineering and math.
Nicholls’ recommendations, over which the Board of Regents has final deciding authority, can be found at www.ulsystem.net under “News Center.” The recommendations can also be found in the unedited version of this press release.
“As instructed, we have conducted a thorough review, and we are confident that our recommendation will protect the academic core of Nicholls and preserve our ability to educate tomorrow’s workforce,” Hulbert said.
