Compliance Status

Louisiana State University and A&M College is in compliance with this principle.

Narrative

Louisiana State University and A&M College (LSU) places a high priority on providing accurate and current recruitment materials and presentations that represent LSU’s practices and policies.

Recruitment Materials

The mission of the LSU Office of Enrollment is “to provide affordability and access for all students to obtain their educational goals…[and] strategically recruit and retain top students and increase diversity and inclusiveness of LSU.” To accomplish this mission, the office works closely with the Office of Communication and University Relations to develop a variety of printed and online recruitment materials.

Printed Materials

Information that outlines resources and opportunities at LSU is available to prospective students through a limited amount of printed materials. While most pieces direct prospective students to university websites for additional and more detailed information, print collateral is used by parties responsible for recruiting prospective students at college fairs, high school visits, and special programs. Direct mail communication is also sent to prospective students throughout the student enrollment life cycle. Below are some examples of these printed recruitment materials.

Undergraduate Students

LSU Viewbook [1]

New Student Orientation Postcard [2]

Transfer Student Orientation Postcard [3]

Residential Life Brochure [4]

International Students

International Brochure (in Spanish) [5]

International Brochure (in Chinese) [6]

International Brochure (in Arabic) [7]

College-specific Recruitment Materials

The Office of Communications and University Relations also works closely with individual colleges to develop college-specific recruitment materials. It ensures the content in the college-specific materials is consistent with the materials developed as part of the campus-wide recruiting campaign.

College of Agriculture Viewbook [8]

College of Humanities & Social Sciences Brochure [9]

College of Science Brochure [10]

Diversity

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach (EDCO) is a division of the Office of Academic Affairs committed to fostering inclusive educational opportunities and an equitable workforce environment at LSU. Diversity marketing materials are used for the recruitment of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty; communicating LSU’s commitment to diversity and highlighting the current diversity efforts of the LSU campus; and facilitating discussions with internal and external communities on the saliency of diversity and diversity education at LSU.

Springfest Poster [11]

EDCO Brochure [12]

Online Materials

The Office of Enrollment Management website also provides access to key information and processes critical to prospective students.  Admission criteria for both domestic and international freshmen and transfer and reentry students are outlined along with clear steps to admission [13][14][15][16].

LSU provides an online process for applying for admission as well as scholarship opportunities by condensing these functions into one application [17].  The university provides information related to course equivalencies for transfer students through the Tiger Transfer Tables [18]. Prospective students can also register for a campus visit online, take a virtual tour of the campus, and sign up on a mailing list to receive critical direct mail and electronic communication from LSU [19][20][21].  Additionally, the LSU Online General Catalog outlines university policies, curricula and course descriptions and are reviewed and updated annually [22].

Information about LSU’s graduate degree programs is also available online. Detailed information about graduate program requirements for each degree is available in the Graduate School chapter of the LSU General Catalog [23]. An online application to the Graduate School as well prospective student information are also available on the Graduate School website [24][25].

Presentations Accurately Represent LSU’s Practices and Policies

LSU’s recruitment materials undergo several layers of review in accordance with Policy Statement 10: Internal and External Communications to ensure accuracy and proper representation of its practices, policies, and academic programs [26]. Annual review and development of these materials is conducted by the Office of Communication and University Relations and the Office of Enrollment Management.

First, staff members within the Office of Enrollment Management collect recruitment information for each of their respective areas of responsibility. The management team gathers and verifies the information and forwards it the scholarships, programs, and communications team for review. Upon its approval, the communications team forwards the information to the Office of Communications and University Relations, which develops various formats for the materials (e.g., brochures, flyers, postcards, and webpages) and ensures compliance with the university’s Visual Identify Program [27]. Drafts of the recruitment materials are sent back to the Enrollment Management leadership team for final review and approval.

The Graduate School as well individual colleges, departments, and units across the campus also work closely with the Office of Communications and University Relations for the development of their recruitment materials, which are updated annually to reflect the growing initiatives and best practices of the institution.

Information for materials focusing on federal student aid is derived from regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education [28]. Scholarship criteria are determined by departments and/or colleges and ultimately approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors. Admissions criteria are established by the Admissions Standards and Honors Committee of the Faculty Senate with final approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Although traditional print materials are currently used to provide resources to prospective students, university websites are replacing print materials to achieve this same goal.  The Internet allows for quick updates and revisions, therefore creating a cost-efficient mechanism for the most accurate information. Content of these websites is regularly reviewed by the departments, colleges, and schools responsible for recruitment of prospective students. Final approval of content on any university website is given by the Office of Communication and University Relations.  Information pertinent to prospective students making enrollment decisions includes full cost of tuition and relevant fees, admission standards and criteria, student aid and scholarship opportunities and demographics, including retention and graduation rates, of currently enrolled students. Clear and precise representation of this information is readily available throughout university websites, and significantly contributes to the students’ final decision to pursue an education from LSU. 

Related principles include Principle 1.1 and Comprehensive Standard 3.4.3. The representation of the status of LSU with the Comission is discussed in Comprehensive 3.14.