Narrative (Continued)

Mentoring

Peer and faculty/staff mentoring programs assist students with both social and academic adjustments to college life and aid in students’ personal development.  Mentoring is offered at every level of the collegiate experience, undergraduate through doctoral. Many programs exist at LSU that are for students in general and many for students with special foci.

Center for Academic Success Academic Coaching Program

The Academic Coach Program is a voluntary component of the Impact workshop.  Students who are interested in ongoing learning strategies support register to meet with a coach twice per month for the semester.  Most of these first-year students are on academic warning/probation, and it is crucial that they implement strategies to make an academic turnaround.  For the 2012-2013 academic year, the Center for Academic Success recruited 25 coaches from various campus departments and trained them to be supportive agents of change who are able to reinforce the learning strategies from the Impact workshop.  Coaches help students set goals, evaluate options, and make decisions.  The Academic Coach Program continues to contribute to student success and retention [83] [84].

Summer Bridge and Transition Programs

Summer Scholars

LSU University College’s Summer Scholars program is an eight-week summer bridge program that prepares selected underrepresented minority students to make a successful transition from high school to the university. This summer experience offers students the opportunity to become adjusted to the academic, personal, and social challenges they may encounter at LSU. Students are provided with a structured environment conducive to building the fundamental skills necessary to enhance the likelihood of successful completion of a baccalaureate degree [85].

BIOS

BIOS is a one-week intensive program specifically for incoming biological sciences majors. The program is designed to help these students transition to the science expectations of a college setting prior to the start of the fall semester [86].

HHMI Professors Program

LSU HHMI Undergraduate Mentors are students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines who are ready to change their academic careers. Though they enter the program with GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0, they are committed to raising the bar and helping others to do the same.

In the HHMI Professors Program, Undergraduate Mentors receive the support they need to achieve academic excellence. They attend regular mentoring meetings with program staff, enroll in a course in which they acquire new learning strategies and organizational skills, and develop a solid academic support network among program participants. They benefit from increased opportunities for research and assistance in obtaining summer research positions, as well as mentoring local high school students [87].

Sophomore GOLD Living-Learning Community

The Sophomore GOLD program is a living-learning community designed for sophomore students. One of the objectives is to make sure that sophomore students continue to get acclimated to the university and become aware of available academic support.  It is part of an effort to retain them to graduation [88].

First-Year Courses

LSU 1001

Each semester, Residential Life offers approximately four sessions of LSU 1001 courses with an average of 20 students per class. Taught by Residential Life coordinators, the topics include areas of academic skills, resources to help students succeed at LSU, and first-year transitional topics [89].

Honors 1000 Seminar

Peer Leaders/Honors upperclass students mentor first-year students in the Honors 1000 seminar (Honors Foundations; 1 credit) to introduce these new students to expectations and resources of Honors College. Honors 1000 seminars are linked to Honors 2000 seminars (Critical Analysis and Social Justice; 3 credits),  a gateway academic course for Honors students [90].

College Study Skills (UC 0006)

UC 0006 is a two-hour course open only to students in Student Support Services (SSS). It is required of all first-year participants during their first semester in Student Support Services. The course covers time management, note-taking, test preparation, and other related topics [91].

Faculty Friends

Faculty Friends volunteer their time to connect with students in our traditional (non-Residential College) communities.  The role of Faculty Friends consists of leading programs in the halls and serving as a resource to the Resident Assistants (RAs). These faculty members are assigned to our traditional halls (Kirby Smith, Miller Hall, Pentagon Hall, East Campus Apartments, and West Campus Apartments) [92].

Tiger Network

The LSU Tiger Network is an online mentoring system that facilitates networking between LSU students, alumni, and employers. Facilitated by Career Services, the program involves mentors who volunteer to allow students to contact them regarding industry or career specific advice. Students can contact available mentors with questions about occupations, regions, employment, and graduate or professional school. This system is free for students, alumni, and employer participants [93].

McNair Program

The McNair Research Scholars program encourages student scholars who reflect diversity in life experiences, cultures, and perspectives represented in academia. The program prepares students who are first-generation, low-income, and ethnically underrepresented in graduate education for doctoral studies.  Undergraduate students are connected with faculty-directed research experiences, provided with individualized mentoring, and assisted through the graduate school application process.  Funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs, McNair Research Scholars conduct research under the mentorship of some of the most distinguished faculty in the country and communicate the results of their work through publications and workshops [94].

Student Support Services

Peer mentors are upperclass Student Support Services participants who help first-year students become integrated into the campus community. They introduce students to campus resources, maintain weekly contact with the students, keep them posted on upcoming events and activities, and help them get involved in campus life [95].

Student Advocacy & Accountability

Student Advocacy & Accountability (SAA) and C.A.R.E. staffs  have the potential to develop ongoing staff/student relationships with students as a result of having short term interactions that occur through referral to the SAA office.

Academic Integrity Moodle Module

Students found responsible for an academic misconduct charge, largely undergraduate students, international students, and distance learning students, have access to an online Moodle-based module to educate them on widely regarded academic expectations, such as the LSU Commitment to Community, correct citation, responsible scholarship, quiz/exam-taking expectations, and individual versus group academic work. Students complete section quizzes and complete a final test upon completion of the module. Of 346 academic misconduct cases in 2012, 63 students (18%) were assigned and completed the Academic Integrity Moodle Module [96].

Black Male Leadership Initiative Fellows Program

Within Equity, Diversity, and Community Outreach (EDCO), BMLI participants are assigned mentors as part of their two-year experience and may stay connected to their mentors after completing the program [97].

First Contact

An Office of Equity, Diversity, and Community Outreach program, First Contact connects students who are “out,” “in the closet,” or questioning their attractions or identity with trained peer contacts who have had similar experiences and are knowledgeable about available resources  at LSU or in the Baton Rouge community [98].

Academic College Mentoring and Undergraduate Research Offerings

ASPIRE program (College of Humanities & Social Sciences)

The ASPIRE undergraduate research program is unique to the College of Humanities & Social Sciences at LSU.  Through it, H&SS students perform research under the guidance of a mentor, and present their work at a regional or national academic conference. This program pairs students with faculty mentors from their major areas in a semester or year-long collaborative research effort. This specialized project culminates in course credit as well as a presentation at a regional, national, or international conference [99].

Big Sib Program (College of Agriculture)

This program involves peer mentoring in the School of Veterinary Science. Facilitated through the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Academic Affairs, it focuses on the incoming class in summer and fall semesters of each year [100].

Les Voyageurs (College of Agriculture)

Les Voyageurs are student ambassadors in the College of Agriculture who represent the college and the university in recruitment and retention efforts, such as high school college fairs, science fairs, 4-H and FFA events, Agriculture Residential College programs, and alumni and development activities [101].

Academic and Resource Centers

Many resource centers exist on campus to provide both students and faculty resources, programming, and materials to further the LSU mission of helping both undergraduates and graduates achieve the highest levels of intellectual and personal development.  For example, Disability Services provides the appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities to ensure their success. These resources also exist to help faculty enhance the learning experience for students. 

Disability Services

Disability Services provides/coordinates a wide array of accommodations and services—such as note taking, alternative format text and other materials, accommodative testing, interpreting, and captioning—for students with disabilities.  Disability Services provides approximately 12,000 hours of interpreting and captioning and proctors approximately 8,000 exams with accommodations annually.  A more complete description of these services is included in Comprehensive Standard 2.10 [102].

Disability Services had 1,426 students registered during 2012, an increase of 9.69% over 2011.  The following is a break down by disability type:

Disability Services proctored 7,493 examinations with accommodations for 655 students.  The number of exams proctored increased by 16.57%.  The accommodations included extended time, distraction-reduced environment, reader, scribe, and use of a computer. [102].

Below are the numbers of students with disabilities registered with Disability Services who graduated during 2012 [102].

Communication across the Curriculum Program (CxC)

As the first program of its kind in the nation, Communication across the Curriculum works with LSU faculty to train, guide, and recognize students who demonstrate exceptional communication skills. CxC is focused on enhancing learning experiences for students and improving their written, spoken, visual presentation, and technological communication skills within the disciplines [103].

CxC offers faculty development workshops and curricula design resources to faculty who incorporate communication-intensive components in their courses, operates communication studios that support students working on communication-based projects, and honors students who excel in communication via the LSU Distinguished Communicator certification program [103]. Additional details on the role of CxC in faculty development is presented in Comprehensive Standard 3.7.3.

Center for Community Engagement Learning and Leadership (CCELL)

CCELL works with university faculty, students, administrators, and community partners to facilitate service-learning and community-engaged research while strengthening LSU’s commitment to being an exemplar of an engaged public research university. The center promotes the integration of teaching, research, and service to encourage civic responsibility and to enhance learning and social accountability.  For more information, please refer to Comprehensive Standard 2.10 [104].

Center for Academic Success (CAS)

The nationally recognized Center for Academic Success (CAS) provides metacognitive learning strategies education and resources to both students and faculty to help improve the processes of learning and teaching at LSU. The CAS provides this support through one-on-one consultations, presentations, workshops, and programs that help students increase their academic performance. Presentations are provided to faculty, classes, colleges, campus groups, and organizations.  The CAS also participates in many outreach activities, such as orientation, academic summer bridge programs, and information fairs. The CAS Website provides students and faculty with a vast array of learning resources [105].

Faculty Technology Center (FTC)

This center supports all who teach in their efforts to seamlessly integrate academic technologies into teaching, learning, and research [67].

Residential Colleges

The 2012-2013 academic year was the 13^th year of the Residential Colleges Program (RCP).  The program consists of eight residential colleges, including Herget Residential College (HRC), Information Technology Residential College (ITRC), Business Residential College (BRC), Engineering Residential College (ERC), Agriculture Residential College (ARC), Science Residential College (SRC), Mass Communication Residential College (MCRC), and Global Connections Residential College (GCRC).  As of the 14^th class day of fall semester 2012, 1,571 students lived in the LSU residential colleges, eclipsing the previous record of 1,351 in 2010-2011 [106].

As in past years, the curricula and programs associated with the Herget RC focused on the transition to university life, personal growth and fulfillment, and the philosophy of a university.  The Information Technology RC continues its curriculum with themes relating to issues of importance in the Information Age. The theme of the Business RC is to “demonstrate an understanding of business culture.” The Engineering RC emphasizes success in the traditionally challenging courses in mathematics and science in an attempt to improve retention and academic performance for their majors. The Agriculture RC retains its theme of agricultural leadership by providing its students with a supportive academic and social environment.  The Science RC emphasizes the promotion of an environment conducive to learning, discovery, and engagement.  Mass Communication RC’s curriculum is centered on the introductory courses required for majors in the Manship School of Mass Communication. Global Connections RC focuses on the development of a sense of global citizenship among its students.  The learning objectives of all residential colleges continue to center on improving communication skills, critical thinking ability, and a sense of community and social responsibility [106].

The LSU Residential College Program (RCP) remains committed to the mission of LSU’s Department of Residential Life, that is, to  “provide learning communities by developing programs that promote academic success and personal development and provide attractive, clean, comfortable, and safe facilities that meet the needs of the campus community.”  Specifically, the LSU RCP is designed to address Goal 1 in support of DRL’s mission:  “Learning: Strengthen and further integrate living and learning components in residential communities.”  In turn, DRL’s mission directly supports Flagship 2020.  A Strategic Plan for the RCP was approved by the Office of Academic Affairs in November 2011 and was subsequently posted on the RCP Website [106].

Louisiana Center Addressing Substance Use in Collegiate Communities (LaCASU)

The Louisiana Center Addressing Substance Use in Collegiate Communities (LaCASU) fosters safe and healthy collegiate communities that reduce problems associated with students’ substance. LaCASU serves as a central hub for information, research, and data on high-risk drinking and substance use in collegiate environments and provides consultation on policies relating to student behavior [107].

African-American Cultural Center

The African American Cultural Center (AACC) implements educational, cultural and social activities that acknowledge and address the needs of African American students at LSU.  The Center also provides a venue for all students to learn about African American culture, heritage and traditions.  The AACC provides students with periodicals and a small library of African and African American literature that is connected to the LSU central library catalog system [108]. The primary goal of the LSU AACC is to educate students, faculty and staff about the history, culture and the contributions of African Americans.  In doing so, the Center strives to help the LSU family develop a better knowledge and understanding of the African American experience.

Women’s Center

The LSU Women's Center promotes the advancement of women's issues and gender equity through its services, advocacy efforts and educational programs. The Center also provides support, referral, and information to students, faculty and staff on issues and concerns related to women.The Women’s Center provides support, referral, and information to students, faculty, and staff on issues and concerns related to women.  The Center is also equipped with computers and a text and video library with literature addressing women’s and gender topics [109].

Academic Support Laboratories

Teaching and learning laboratories are available across the LSU campus in which students can learn and practice communication skills, work on research projects, and gain specific training. Additionally, many colleges offer specialized library resources in addition to the main library collection.  These resources tend to be discipline-specific and are located within the colleges.   Details on these laboratories can be found in Comprehensive Standard 3.4.12 [67] [110] [111] [112] [113] [114] [115] [116] [117] [118].

Special Services

LSU offers academic support to special populations.

LSU CARES Network Academic Intervention Team

The mission of the Academic Intervention Team (AIT) is to provide timely and appropriate intervention to students demonstrating academic, physical, or emotional behaviors that may stand in the way of their academic success.  The team identifies students with issues that are impeding academic progress and provides an intervention based on the student’s unique needs. The committee’s efforts are designed to raise the level of retention and persistence to graduation. The AIT is a collaborative effort between the Division of Student Life and Enrollment and the Office of Academic Affairs [119].

Communication across the Curriculum Distinguished Communicators

LSU Distinguished Communicators is a unique academic excellence program in which students work to refine their communication skills and learn discipline-specific approaches to communication that will enable them to excel in their chosen profession. Candidates are required to build a digital portfolio, demonstrating proficiency in written, spoken, visual, and technological communication. They must also show successful use of their communication skills in leadership roles and community service. Upon successful completion of the program, these students possess the competitive skills and knowledge needed for twenty-first century leadership. This coveted designation becomes part of official transcripts and gives the certified graduate significant leverage in today’s job market [120].

IMPACT Program

IMPACT is a national award-winning program offered to first-year students by the Center for Academic Success in collaboration with University College to help them achieve academic success in college. IMPACT provides an effective and efficient way to help students reach their fullest academic potential. This two-hour workshop teaches revolutionary strategies based on cognitive science research findings that students can easily implement into their daily routines.  It has been shown to produce a dramatic increase in GPA and retention among students on academic warning and probation [121].

First-Year Transition Programs

Honors Shared Read/Honors Welcome/Honors Convocation/Honors Freshmen Service Project

These Programs are designed to introduce new students to the culture and expectations of the Honors College [122] [123] [124] [125].

Summer Scholars Program

The Summer Scholars Program is an eight-week summer program that prepares selected underrepresented minority students for a successful transition from high school to the university. This summer experience offers students the opportunity to become adjusted to the academic, personal, and social challenges they may encounter at LSU. The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) provides support to University College for the Summer Scholars program.  Through a series of dialogues, OMA organizes co-presenters and arranges conversations with students on   such student and cultural development topics as college transition and persistence, diversity, leadership and engagement, sex and gender identity, and relationships [126].

BIOS

BIOS is a one-week “boot camp” for incoming biology majors to prepare them for college, including approximately 330 students per session and held annually each August [84].

McNair Program

The McNair Program, a federally funded TRIO program, is a part of University College. Its primary purpose is to increase the graduate school enrollment of students who are underrepresented at the post-graduate level, such as minority-race students, first-generation students, and females [127].

College Study Skills Courses

College Study Skills (UC 0006)

College Study Skills (UC 0006) is a two-hour course open only to students in Student Support Services. It is required of all first-year participants during their first semester in SSS. The course covers time management, note-taking, test preparation, and other related topics. It has been described by a former student as “the course that taught me HOW to succeed in all my other courses at LSU” [128].

EDCI 1001

EDCI 1001 is intended for entering first-year students and includes college-level readings and techniques for organizing text and lecture information for effective study, critical thinking and reading, time management, and preparation for tests [129].

Academic College Specialized Offerings

Scholastic Drop/Summer-Only Program

Scholastic Drop/Summer-Only is a retention program in the Center for Advising and Counseling (UCAC). The program offers an opportunity to those UCAC students who have been scholastically dropped to overcome their academic weaknesses and to achieve good academic standing. The program includes educational workshops and individual counseling with the goal of enabling students to totally eliminate their quality point deficits (i.e., raising their LSU/cumulative grade point average to a 2.0 and thereby regaining their academic eligibility for the fall semester) [130].

Students enrolled in both UCFY and UCAC are identified by curriculum designation, which is broadly defined by degree-granting or non-degree-granting designation. The following charts show the breakdown of students served by UCFY and UCAC over the 2011-12 academic year. Student enrollment is additionally tracked in University College for two summer-specific programs:

NOTE: The narrative continues in "3.4.9 (Continued - 2)." A full list of attachments is available in the first half of the narrative.