HISTORY OF McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY
McNeese State University was founded in 1939 as a division of Louisiana State University offering only the first two years of higher education. Originally called Lake Charles Junior College, the name became John McNeese Junior College in 1940 by resolution of the University Board of Supervisors in honor of a pioneer Southwest Louisiana educator.
The institution advanced to four-year status and separated from L.S.U. in 1950 and was renamed McNeese State College; and its administration was transferred to the Louisiana State Board of Education. Act 138 of the 1970 Louisiana Legislature gave the institution its present name, McNeese State University.
McNeese gained significant recognition in 1954 through admission to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the highest accrediting agency in the United States for such schools in the South. McNeese State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate, bachelor, master, and specialist degrees.
The Legislature authorized McNeese to offer curricula leading to the master's degree in 1960, and to the degree of Education Specialist in 1966.
In addition to the Graduate School, McNeese University's academic organization includes the colleges of Business, Education, Engineering and Technology, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Science, the Division of Continuing Education, and the Division of Basic Studies. The Honors College and the H. C Drew Center for Associate Studies and H. C. Drew Institute are also part of Academic Affairs.
The campus first opened its doors in 1939 on an 86-acre tract donated by the Calcasieu Parish Policy Jury with a physical plant of two buildings: the former Administration Building (Kaufman Hall) and the McNeese Arena (Ralph O. Ward Memorial Gym). The Main Auditorium, now Francis G. Bulber Auditorium, was completed in 1940 as the third building on the campus. The three structures are still in use today. In 1989, the auditorium was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
In addition to the main campus, today's physical plant includes the McNeese Farm, an athletics plant, and student apartment complex, as well as a golf driving range and Burton Coliseum.
The slogan, "Excellence With A Personal Touch," was adopted by McNeese in 1991. The expression was selected by a committee of faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community groups and reflects the McNeese qualities-academic excellence and personal  attention.

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PURPOSE/MISSION
McNeese State University, a member of the University of Louisiana System, is an evolving comprehensive university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. As a public institution of higher learning, McNeese State University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination.
The primary educational mission of McNeese State University is to provide a wide range of baccalaureate and carefully selected graduate curricula, distinguished by academic excellence. Fundamental to this primary function is the faculty commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and creative scholarly activity.
McNeese is oriented both to the liberal arts and to professional programs. Core requirements for all students and degree programs in the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, computer technology, and mathematics reflect the University's commitment as does emphasis on education, business, engineering, and nursing programs.
The University seeks to stimulate students to maximum intellectual growth and love of learning, to cultivate the skills necessary for critical thinking and effective expression, to foster understanding of the multicultural world community, and to develop a sense of ethical responsibility. Central to the University's mission is providing students with the opportunities, resources, and expertise to achieve academic, personal, and career goals within an atmosphere conducive to their total development.
McNeese has an important responsibility for education, research, and service in Southwest Louisiana. The University is committed to providing learning opportunities; enhancing intellectual, civic, and cultural well-being; influencing economic and  technological development; and improving quality of life.

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ACCREDITATION
McNeese State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate, bachelor, master, and specialist degrees. Following is a comprehensive list of other agencies included in the Board of Regents General Policy on Program Accreditation that have accredited or approved McNeese academic programs:

• AASCB-The International Association for Management Education
• American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
• American Chemical Society
• Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 
  29 North Wacker Drive, Suite 900
  Chicago, IL 60606-2901
  (312) 04-5300
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Lab Sciences
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
• 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006
  (212) 363-5555 Ext. 153, Facsimile: (212) 812-0390
  Website: www.nlnac.org.
  Other agencies that have approved or certified programs include:
• American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance/National
• Association for Sport and Physical Education
• Association for Childhood Education International
• Council for Exceptional Children
• International Society for Technology Education
• Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Louisiana State Board of Nursing
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• National Collegiate Athletic Association
• National Council for the Social Studies
• National Council of Teachers of English
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• National Science Teachers Association
• Organization of American Kodály Educators

   

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FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT
Annually, McNeese informs students of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The University intends to fully comply with this Act which gives students the right to inspect and review their educational records, to request correction of inaccurate or misleading information, to authorize disclosure of educational records and to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failure to comply with the Act.
Questions regarding FERPA may be referred to the Dean of University Services and Registrar.

Confidentially of Student Records
Under the FERPA only directory information may be released without a student's permission. Directory information is defined as: a student's name, address and telephone number, e-mail address, date/place of birth, major field of study and classification, dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities and sports and the height and weight of student athletes.
Students may complete a "Withholding Information" form in the Registrar's Office. Requests to withhold information are in effect until the student provides written notification to rescind the request to the Registrar's Office.
McNeese employees who have a legitimate educational or safety interest as determined by the University have access to student's educational records. Additionally persons under contract, or having a contractual agreement, with the University to provide a service or benefit to the student or their family may have access to certain records as prescribed by law. The University reserves the right to deny access to students' education records to persons not affiliated with the University unless the student has submitted a written signed waiver requesting access and specifying the records to be released.
Each year a campus telephone directory is published. Students, faculty, and staff can withhold directory information from this publication. The telephone directory is a public document, and it is the only document that the University makes public containing the name, address, and telephone number of students.

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INSTITUTIONAL DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Federal law requires all public universities to provide students with information concerning graduation rates, security policies and crime statistics and athletic program participation rates and financial data.
The report on Completion and Graduation Rates is available each year by July 1 and can be reviewed in the Office of Institutional Research.
Security policies and crime statistics are available on the MSU web site at www.mcneese.edu/depts/police/crime.htm and at www.mcneese.edu/policy/.
Athletics program participation rates and financial data are available each year by October 15, and the report is placed on reserve in Frazar Memorial Library.

POLICY FOR REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS
McNeese State University recognizes the value of information provided by students, employees, and others in assessing the institution's performance. This Policy for Review of Complaints is for the purpose of addressing significant violation of the institution's standards, policies, and procedures and is not a forum for addressing grievances. The University has established grievance procedures for students and employees and expects individuals to attempt to resolve grievance issues through procedures established according to the situation.

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DISTANCE LEARNING
The Burton Business Center and Drew Hall house distance learning laboratories which connect with other university campuses in Louisiana through fully interactive compressed video technology. Classes can originate at any campus and be attended by students on any other campus. Students can communicate with each other and the instructor using two-way audio and video. Distance learning classrooms are available in Kaufman Hall, Farrar Hall, Hardtner Hall, Drew Hall, and the Burton Business Center. Web-based instructional initiatives are offered on a departmental basis. These distance learning technologies enhance the educational opportunities available to McNeese and other Louisiana students.

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TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS FOR STUDENTS COMMITTEE (TASC)
The Technological Advancements for Students Committee (TASC) was created in the fall semester of 1997 with the passing of the Student Technology Assessment. TASC is comprised of five students and five faculty or staff members (two non-voting members). The committee meets monthly and accepts proposals from McNeese departments and colleges. Detailed instructions for submitting proposals are located on the MSU Internet home page (www.mcneese.edu).

Some of the more important technology improvements include:

• Internet access for all students
• state of the art open access computing laboratories
• security system for the Holbrook Ranch Computing Center
• free anti-virus protection
• upgrades for college and departmental computing laboratories
• campus wide fiber optic cable infrastructure

The technology assessment is used to enhance student life and learning by implementing three focus areas:

• Student Computing Laboratories
• Network Access and Electronic Services
• Instructional Technology and Curriculum Support

Questions regarding TASC may be referred to the Office of the Chief Information Technology Officer.

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UNIVERSITY-WIDE HONORS SEMINAR
The aim of the University-Wide Honors Seminar is to give students of superior abilities a chance to broaden their intellectual and cultural awareness by working with a select group of students and professors in a two-semester (six hours credit) course; the particular emphasis of the University-Wide Honors Seminar is the interrelationship of the arts, humanities and sciences as creative forces of twenty-first century life. It is open 
to any student enrolled in a two-year or four-year program. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better and must have completed 30 semester hours of class work. Credit earned may be applied toward any degree offered by the University. To apply, students should contact their department head or the program coordinator.

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THE McNEESE REVIEW
The McNeese Review, published since 1948, serves as a forum for articles and essays in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Editorial policy and reviewing processes of The McNeese Review are formulated and supervised by an editorial board comprised of faculty in the College of Liberal Arts at McNeese State University.
The editorial board of The McNeese Review welcomes submissions that exhibit high academic standards and the potential to interest educated readers regardless of their academic specialty.
The McNeese Review is funded by the McNeese State University Foundation through an endowment established by Mr. and Mrs. William D. Blake, Mrs. Violet Howell, and Howell Industries, Inc.
Submission and subscription information is available from the editor.

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ALUMNI AFFAIRS
The McNeese Alumni Association, founded in 1947 and incorporated in 1960, is composed of graduates as well as former students who express an interest in supporting the University. Those alumni who contribute to the annual fund are considered active members and are entitled to vote, hold office, and receive invitations to alumni events.

The purpose of the organization is to stimulate and nurture alumni interest in McNeese State University and to promote a working relationship among alumni, faculty, students, and community.

The association sponsors class reunions, chapter activities, Honor of Excellence recruiting program, Distinguished Faculty Award, Distinguished Alumnus Award, Distinguished Service Award, Grad Fest program, student scholarships, publication of The Roundup newsletter, and maintenance of the 30,000 alumni data records.

The Alumni Association is housed in the William Gray Stream Alumni Center located at 600 E. McNeese Street and the web address is www.mcneesealumni.com. To receive more information please call 1-800-475-ALUM or locally 475-5232 or e-mail at info@mcneesealumni.com.

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ATHLETICS
The athletics program fields teams in the NCAA for both men and women. The University is also a member of the prestigious Southland Conference, and competes for championships in football, basketball, indoor track, cross country, outdoor track, baseball and golf for the men and cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, tennis, golf, volleyball, basketball, softball and soccer for the women.
The primary purpose of the athletics program is to provide opportunities for student athletes to achieve personal growth and development through a combination of intercollegiate athletic competition and academics. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to realize educational goals and to benefit from athletic competition on a national level.
The Athletics Department holds the philosophy that the athlete's most important tasks are pursuit of personal growth through academic work and team experiences and development of a sense of ethical responsibility. The department recognizes that its primary commitment is education of the student athlete and, to this end, extends academic assistance. Under the auspices of the University, the Athletics Department offers grants-in-aid to qualifying student athletes, enabling them to pursue both academic and athletic goals.
The Athletics Department provides the guidance necessary for an exemplary and competitive athletics program that is beneficial to students, faculty and staff, administration, alumni, and community. All activities, operations, and decisions of the Athletics Department are guided by principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination.

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ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
The Enrollment Information Office is responsible for coordinating activities at McNeese including recruiting, scheduling visits, and hosting conferences for prospective students. All prospective students including high school seniors, college transfers, and non-traditional are served by the center. McNeese information packets, campus tours, and class visitations may be requested through Enrollment Information. College Day/Night Programs, Literary Rally, and Junior and Senior Beta Conventions are coordinated and staffed by Enrollment Information personnel.

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OFFICE OF MEDIA SERVICES
The Office of Media Services combines professional news and photographic services for the purpose of interpreting and reporting the aims and achievements of the University. It produces and distributes news releases, photographs, public service announcements, recruitment videos, and various other printed publications. Requests for media coverage are handled through the OMS. The office is located on the main campus in Holbrook Student Union.