First-time freshmen at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette will learn about university resources and community involvement in a course designed especially for them. The new course is the core of the Quality Enhancement Plan.
The QEP emerged as the university began preparing for its reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS – COC).
This week, a team of SACS representatives from other universities will be visiting campus as part of the reaffirmation of accreditation process.
“ The university developed this first-year seminar to help entering students get a better understanding of the university and help them develop a sense of belonging here,” said Dr. Carolyn Bruder, associate vice president for Academic Affairs.
The seminar, known as The Cajun Connection, will expose students to best practices in time management, health and wellness, budgeting, social media usage and library research skills.
It will also cover the value of education, the meaning of academic integrity, the importance of the arts and models for solving problems and resolving conflicts.
The course was piloted last semester in six classes. Each fall, beginning in 2011, the class will be taught in an additional college or two. By 2014, the course will be taught to all first-time freshmen.
Class size will be limited to 25 so that students receive individualized attention.
A university’s reaffirmation vote is held every 10 years. The commission will render its decision on the university’s continued accreditation in December.