UL Lafayette Institutional Review Provides Insight and Guidance for Next President

UL Lafayette Institutional Review Provides Insight and Guidance for Next President – Oct 29, 2007

BATON ROUGE, La. – The University of Louisiana System released an institutional review of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette today. The report finds the institution is “in excellent overall shape and financially secure” and is timely, as five candidates are set to interview for the top university position November 12-13.

Conducted by a team of national education specialists, UL Lafayette is the sixth university in the System to undergo an assessment of this kind and the fourth conducted in conjunction with a leadership change.

”The Board commissions these institutional reviews because they are valuable tools in assessing the general condition of our universities,” said UL System Board Chair Jimmy Long, Sr. “This review is especially important because it will serve as a road map for the next president.”

The review team spent four months analyzing campus information on various aspects such as academic programs, administration, athletics, budget, fund-raising, technology, and the need to address future campus growth. The report also provides a glimpse into the attitudes of students and faculty.

To complete this work, the review team interviewed over 250 faculty, students, staff, alumni, elected and appointed officials, and community members, as well as regional and national higher education professionals.

The report begins by showcasing the university as “a sterling example of how one can achieve much with comparatively little,” acknowledging its “humble beginnings,” and highlighting its links to the Acadiana region and research growth. It goes on to make 36 recommendations ranging from student program requirements to faculty hiring to fund raising.

The study singles out the campus’ success in research as “one of the most remarkable aspects” of the campuses’ rise to success citing Zeke (the supercomputer) and the new Research Park and LITE Center as symbols of the University’s research growth with “immense” potential for growth and development. It suggests areas for improvement ranging from accessing additional federal and state funding sources to strengthening faculty recruitment, campus maintenance, and reporting structuring throughout the campus administration.

“The fact that Dr. Authement requested this review in conjunction with his decision to retire is a prime example of his integrity, leadership, and true love of UL Lafayette,” said UL System President Sally Clausen. “This comprehensive report highlights the strengths of the university and identifies many opportunities on which to build.”

The UL Lafayette institutional review is available on the UL System website at www.ulsystem.net.

Institutional reviews have already been conducted at the following five UL System campuses: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

The University of Louisiana System enrolls almost 80,000 students at eight universities.

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UL Lafayette Institutional Review
 
For More Information Contact:
Jackie Tisdell
225-342-6950
jtisdell@uls.state.la.us
 

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ULL Institutional Review (206.8 KB) >>
ULL Institutional Review (206.8 KB) >>
ULL Institutional Review (206.8 KB) >>
ULL Institutional Review (206.8 KB) >>