General Information

Introduction

Louisiana State University at Alexandria is a publicly supported institution that provides undergraduate level college education to the citizens of Central Louisiana. LSUA is a unit of Louisiana State University (LSU) and operates under the auspices of the Louisiana Board of Regents.

History

Louisiana State University at Alexandria is located approximately six miles south of the city of Alexandria in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. The campus is located on land that was originally part of Oakland Plantation and that was purchased by Louisiana State University in 1946. In 1955 the Dean Lee Agricultural Center was established on the property, and in 1959 the U.S. Congress released a portion of that property for general education purposes. In the same year, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the establishment of LSUA as a two-year commuter college under the governance of the LSU Board of Supervisors.

LSUA registered its first students in September 1960. The sophomore curriculum was added in 1961 and the first degree program, an Associate in Nursing, in 1964. In 1974 LSUA was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. In 1986 the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science were added to the university’s degree offerings. In December 2002, the Commission on Colleges approved a level change request for LSUA, thereby accrediting the university to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees. LSUA  began offering four baccalaureate degrees in fall 2003: the Bachelor of Science in Biology; the Bachelor of General Studies; the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; and the Bachelor of Liberal Studies. A Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics were approved in 2006 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2007.

In 2008, the university secured approval for several additional degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in History; a Bachelor of Arts in English; a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies; a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. More recently, a Bachelor of Science in Long Term Care Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences were added to the university’s array of baccalaureate programs.

The university has also expanded its range of associate degrees and now offers an Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology. The university also offers several post-baccalaureate programs.

In November 2013, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved the university’s request to offer 100% online degree programs. The LSUA degrees currently offered 100% online include Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication Studies, English, History, and Religious Studies; Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Health Professions, Long Term Care Administration, Mathematics, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Psychology; the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of General Studies; the Associate of Arts; and the Associate of Science.

A complete list of LSUA’s current academic programs is provided on Academic Programs (a-z) .

In the fall of 2007, The Oaks, the university’s first student housing complex was opened. It consists of four apartment-style, multi-level buildings, a club house, and a community pool. The complex’s eighty-seven apartments provide a variety of one, two and four-bedroom living units.

LSUA hired its first athletic director in January 2007 and began competing in NAIA men’s baseball and women’s fast-pitch softball in spring 2008. The university began competition as a member of the Red River Conference in men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s tennis in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Mulder Hall, the university’s newest academic building, was opened in August 2011. The building is a 70,000 square-foot facility that provides 17 classrooms; 58 faculty offices; a computer/writing lab; a painting and drawing studio; a ceramics studio and a photography suite; and a black box theater that seats 175 people.

In August 2022, a major campus infrastructure and drainage project, funded by both federal and state government, was completed. The project included new drainage systems that draw water away from the heart of campus, thus ensuring that roads and sidewalks remain accessible even in inclement weather; the development of an entrance and circle drive onto campus; the covering of all ditches; the repaving of roads around the center portions of campus; and the creation of a paved walking plaza on Middleton Drive.

LSUA is the fastest-growing public university in Louisiana, with Spring 2024 enrollment reaching an all-time high of 5,405 students, a 35.5% increase over the previous year. Bucking the national trend of declining enrollment, the university has demonstrated its resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to student success and excellence.

LSUA’s current Chancellor, Dr. Paul Coreil, was appointed in October 2019.

Vision

LSU of Alexandria will be recognized across the state of Louisiana and beyond as a destination of choice for the outstanding undergraduate experience it offers.LSUA envisions itself as a university of choice, recognized for academic excellence, committed to student and community growth through teaching, research, and service, and esteemed as a contributor to the economic, cultural, and intellectual growth of Louisiana.

Mission

LSU of Alexandria is committed to providing undergraduate students the education, skills, development and other resources needed to establish the foundation for their future success. We create a welcoming environment that includes critical thinking, experiential learning, civic engagement and community partnerships.

Values

Truth » LSUA is committed to the pursuit of truth, wherever it may lead.

Autonomy » LSUA recognizes the broad freedom to design and execute a life plan consistent with one’s principled beliefs.

Community » LSUA is comprised of dedicated, caring individuals who treat each other as family and operate as a team.

Perspective » LSUA strives to assist students and other members of its community understand the diverse viewpoints and worldviews generated by the many cultures across the state, the nation and the globe.

LSU

LSUA is one of the eight member institutions of Louisiana State University. The others are LSU Agricultural and Mechanical College (Baton Rouge); LSU Shreveport; LSU Eunice; LSU Agricultural Center; LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center; LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans; and LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport. The By-Laws and Regulations of the Board of Supervisors specify that LSUA will “extend basic as well as unique programs to citizens of Central Louisiana,” a mission articulated by LSU President Troy Middleton when he spoke at LSUA’s dedication on December 3, 1960. At that time, President Middleton said that LSUA must maintain the same academic standards and academic respectability that existed on the main campus. Over 60 years later, LSUA continues to fulfill this mission by providing high-quality undergraduate level education to the people of Central Louisiana.

Athletics

The University offers seven intercollegiate sports, each of which completes in the Red River Athletic Conference as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The sports are Men’s Baseball; Women’s Softball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, and Women’s Tennis. For more information, contact the Athletics Department at (318) 473-6408.

Student Participation on Campus Committees

LSUA has a long tradition of encouraging student participation in the decision making processes of the campus. Where appropriate, student representatives have served on Faculty Senate committees, administrative committees, and departmental committees. Students on such committees are voting members with all the rights and privileges of other members. Students who are interested in serving as committee representatives should contact the Office of the Chancellor or the President of the Faculty Senate for more information. Students are also invited to offer their ideas and suggestions to LSUA’s administrators.

Student Publications

Academic Support Units

The units described below provide vital support to the university’s academic mission and to the academic departments charged with fulfilling that mission.

Continuing Education

Continuing Education supports the university’s commitment to lifelong learning by offering the communities of Central Louisiana opportunities for personal enrichment and professional development and training. Course topics include computers and technology, exam preparation and certification, and health and wellness. In addition, Continuing Education offers an innovative leadership program to current or potential business and organization leaders in Central Louisiana. Offered annually, Leadership Cenla prepares participants for new challenges and provides the skills and exposure needed to add leadership equity to any business or organization. For more information about Continuing Education course offerings, please visit the website https://www.lsua.edu/continuingeducation or e-mail continuingeducation@lsua.edu.

Information and Educational Technology Services

The Department of Information and Educational Technology (IET) Services provides technical support and training for the entire campus community. It offers help desk services through a support center which provides assistance via knowledge base, telephone, email, and help desk ticketing systems. The IET Support Center can be found at https://lsua.desk.com/. IET also provides and maintains campus computers, wired and wireless network access, campus telephones, official LSUA web pages, and computer and software training. IET also supports all university data systems and maintains a portal page where all students, faculty, and staff can check e-mail, access course materials, register for courses, and access other resources. The training schedule of IET classes can be found at http://www.lsua.edu/iet/training or by logging on to my.LSUA at http://my.lsua.edu. The classes are free to LSUA students, faculty, and staff.

Library

The library is a two-story building that is located near the center of campus. It consists of a computer lab with 20 PCs, a digital commons, a service desk, a reference desk, special collections and archives, and seven study rooms, three located on the first floor and four located on the second floor. The Reference desk is centrally located and visible from the library entrance. Students may make an appointment, walk in for assistance, or call or email the Reference Librarian. The library also houses the Tutoring Center, which provides peer and professional tutoring services for LSUA students, and a Starbucks coffee shop. Study rooms can be reserved for both individual students and small student groups via the Room Reservation webpage. Access to all databases, the online library catalog, and other library materials is available through the library website. Students who wish to access the databases and online library catalog remotely (i.e., from an off-campus computer) must first log into their MyLSUA accounts. Library Remote Access instructions are provided on the Links and Resources section of the Library Homepage. Any inquiries regarding library services may be directed to library@lsua.edu or 318-473-6441.

Testing Services

The university provides testing services that support the university’s academic programs and that offer vital assistance to both students and faculty. These services, which are organized and administered by a full-time coordinator, include providing special testing arrangements for students with disabilities; facilitating students who require makeup tests; and offering a wide array of placement and program admission exams, including the ACT (both national and residual), CLEP, HESI, and PAX. Exit Exams and Major Field Tests required for candidates for graduation are also administered by Testing Services. Testing Services and PSI Testing have recently partnered to offer a wide range of professional tests that includes FAA exams (taken by LSUA’s Aviation students), FBI Agent exams, Customs and Border Control exams, and TSA exams.

For more information, call Testing Services at (318) 427-4492 or visit Student Center 204 (directly above the LSUA Bookstore). Students can register for exams online at https://www2.registerblast.com/lsua/Exam/List.

Other Support Units

The services provided by the units described below support the university’s commitment to maintaining a safe, convenient, and friendly environment for LSUA students.

Bookstore

The LSUA Bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble and located on the first floor of the Student Center, stocks a wide range of products including required new, used, for-rent, and digital textbooks; clothing; school supplies; graduation supplies; and laptops and tablets.  Students with sufficient financial aid can use their funds in the bookstore to purchase textbooks and educational supplies at the beginning of each semester. The bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Online purchases can be made at lsua.bncollege.com. Bookstore staff can be reached at (318) 473-6420.

Identification Cards

When first enrolled at the university, students are issued photo identification cards at no cost. The ID card, known as the OaKard, is the property of the university. Students who alter or intentionally mutilate an OaKard, who use the card of another, or who allow others to use their cards may be subject to university discipline. A $25 charge is assessed to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated ID card. If a replacement card is issued, the original card is no longer valid and cannot be made valid. Identification cards may be obtained in Auxiliary Services, Room 120, Abrams Hall, only after registration fees are paid.

While the OaKard serves as each student’s official form of student identification, it may also function as a debit card and can be used to make purchases at the bookstore, the cafeteria, the library, and from any on-campus vending machines. If students wish to add cash to their OaKard accounts, they can do so by visiting one of the three on-campus Value Added Kiosks. The Kiosks are located in the Student Center, the Library and The Oaks Activity Center

For more information about ID Cards, visit: https://www.lsua.edu/fas/auxiliary-services/other-services.

LSUA Health Center

The Health Center is located on the first floor of Coughlin Hall, next to the offices of Human Resource Management. Students who visit the Health Center can receive medical attention for non-life threatening illnesses such as sore throat; sinus and ear infections; flu symptoms; nausea and vomiting; minor cuts; urinary tract infections; and coughs and colds. All enrolled LSUA students are eligible to receive these services. Insurance is not required and no appointment is necessary. The current fee schedule is presented below:

• Employees: $20 for each visit
• LSUA Students: Free
• LSUE Students on LSUA Campus: $10 for each visit
• Affliliate Contractors: $25 for each visit

The Health Center’s providers are Medical Director, Dr. Clois D. Slaughter; Nurse Practitioner, Michelle Rozas; Health Center Operations Manager, Julie Mathis; and Medical Assistant, Melissa Ducote. The Health Center is open Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For more information, call (318) 427-0110 or visit https://www.lsua.edu/campus-life/health-services.

Children’s Center

Located on 210 Thelma Ethridge Drive (LSUA Campus), the Children’s Center offers an early childhood program centered around children and drawing on a research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum, the Frog Street curriculum, that adheres to guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and that provides students with a comprehensive foundation for learning. Children’s Center teachers use song, finger-play, and structured play to teach young children and a variety of manipulatives, materials, and books to engage them in their learning and to help them build positive social-emotional skills. To contact the Children’s Center, call (318) 473-6484 or email childrens.center@lsua.edu. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 7:00 AM. - 5:00 PM.

Dining

LSUA offers a selection of choices for both dining on campus, or grabbing to-go. The Magnolia Café, located on the first floor of the Student Center, is open Monday through Friday and offers options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Brunch and dinner options are also available on Saturday and Sunday. The Bolton Coffee Shop can be located on the first floor of James C. Bolton Library, and offers a wide variety on-the-go options. Burger 318, located in Avoyelles Hall, offers a variety of combo options such as burgers, chicken tenders, and salads. All residents living on campus are required to have a meal plan. Meal plans are also available to commuter students and LSUA employees. Through the Office of Auxiliary Services, students may also add dining dollars to their account, which can be used at any of the on-campus dining locations and will remain valid for one academic year (fall, spring, summer). Hours of operation for all dining locations are available at Dine On Campus || Hours of Operation. For information regarding meal plans and pricing, please visit www.dineoncampus.com/lsuadining. For other inquiries about LSUA Dining, please email LSUADining@lsua.edu.

University Police

University Police are POST certified, police academy graduates who support the university’s commitment to preserving a peaceful and safe environment for the entire campus community. The services they provide include criminal investigations, accident investigations, emergency services, and crime prevention services. In addition, University Police has jurisdiction over all university facilities, premises, and property. This jurisdiction may be extended to off-campus locations when a request is made by other law enforcement agencies, when campus police officers are in close pursuit, or when the investigation of a crime that has occurred on campus takes officers to other sites. University Police are commissioned by the state with full powers of arrest. Each month University Police reports to the LSU Board of Supervisors the number and types of crimes committed on campus. This information is also published annually in a Security and Fire Report, available on the University Police website.

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are urged to be aware of and alert to the possible existence of criminal activity on campus and to report all crimes or suspicious activity to the University Police. The University Police offices are located at 8210 Tom Bowman Drive. To speak to an officer call (318) 473-6427 or 911 in the event of an emergency.

Facilities

Information about the many facilities that make up our vibrant campus can be found at https://www.lsua.edu/fas/facilities