The Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ at Lafayette will emphasize interdisciplinary studies by changing the name of the College of General Studies to Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ College, according to Dr. Jim Henderson, UL Lafayette's provost.
Also, the division previously known as Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ College will be renamed Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Connection. Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Connection and UL Lafayette's Honors Program will become part of the new Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ College.
Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Connection serves Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs who are not seeking academic degrees, but who wish to take college courses. First-time freshmen who are admitted to the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Honors Program live on campus in living-learning communities.
The Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ System's Board of Supervisors approved the changes Friday. Henderson said he expects they will be fully implemented, with updates to the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ website, letterhead and signage, by the end of the Fall 2014 semester.
"These changes are intended to bring together units that have similar functions and to increase our support for interdisciplinary programs. These programs provide Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs with more options to earn degrees and engage in programs that meet their needs," Henderson explained.
UL Lafayette will still offer bachelor's degrees in general studies in five concentrations: arts and humanities, natural sciences, behavioral sciences and two areas of applied sciences.
Dr. Bobbie DeCuir, interim dean of Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ College, said the General Studies Program has served many Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs since the academic college was established in 1978.
"Many of our Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs are non-traditional Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs. Perhaps they are already in the workforce and are seeking specific credentials to get a promotion at work," she said.
"We offer a lot of flexibility, so that Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs can design their own degree program. And we also emphasize career preparation, teaching Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs how to market themselves after they earn a degree. Many of our graduates continue their education in graduate school or professional school."
Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ College also oversees the Department of Special Services, which administers UL Lafayette's federal programs to support disadvantaged Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs.
Special Services Director Robert Carmouche, who began working at the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ in 1970, said UL Lafayette has been "persistent" in its efforts to improve retention and graduation rates for all Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs, but in particular, it has given attention to Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs from low-income and first-generation families.
The Department of Special Services includes Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Support Services, which serves undergraduate Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs; Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs, which help Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs prepare for college; and the Ronald E. McNair Program, supports Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs for entry into Graduate School. The Department also oversees a National Science Foundation program, the Louis Stokes-Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Alliance for Minority Participation. LS-LAMP helps Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵs pursue doctoral degrees. It is focused on undergraduates who study science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"When one person earns a college degree, it can break the cycle of poverty for generations," said Carmouche.