Students participating in the new RaginӰר Cajun Bridge Program for the Fall 2013 semester were welcomed to the Ӱר campus during an orientation session on Thursday.
The RaginӰר Cajun Bridge Program, a partnership between UL Lafayette and SLCC, benefits students attending the community college whose long-term academic plans are to earn a bachelorӰרs degree from the Ӱר.
It will enable SLCC students to get familiar with the Ӱר while still enrolled at the community college, said Dr. DeWayne Bowie, the ӰרӰרs vice president for Enrollment Management.
ӰרIts purpose is to help you enjoy and understand UL Lafayette and get used to the campus while you are earning credits at SLCC,Ӱר Bowie told SLCC students who attended the orientation session.
About 75 SLCC students have signed up for the program, said Andy Benoit, UL LafayetteӰרs director for Admissions and Recruitment.
ӰרThe bridge program gives students the opportunity to gain admission to the Ӱר after they complete their requirements at SLCC. During that time, they are able to access the ӰרӰרs services, to ease their transition when they are ready to transfer and ultimately help ensure their academic success,Ӱר Benoit said.
Registration for the RaginӰר Cajun Bridge Program will continue through the first week of UL LafayetteӰרs Fall 2013 semester classes, which begins Aug. 26.
At ThursdayӰרs orientation, about 65 SLCC students learned about UL Lafayette programs and services, toured campus and received information about academic opportunities and student life.
Participating students also received a UL Lafayette ID card, which gives them access to Ӱר facilities, such as Edith Garland Dupré Library, Bourgeois Hall recreational facilities and the Student Aquatic Center.
The Ӱר ID also provides admission to RaginӰר Cajuns home games.
Students participating in the RaginӰר Cajun Bridge Program will also be eligible to live in one of the ӰרӰרs residence halls while they take classes at SLCC.
RaginӰר Cajun Bridge Program participants are required to be enrolled at SLCC for at least six credit hours each fall and spring semester. Summer is optional, but if they choose to enroll during the summer session, they will need to be enrolled for at least three credit hours. In addition to SLCCӰרs tuition and fees, the cost of the program is $90 each fall and spring semester, and $70 for the summer session.
A participating student who has earned at least 24 college credits, including college algebra and freshman English, and has earned at least a 2.25 cumulative GPA, will be eligible to transfer to UL Lafayette.
The program is intended to promote success on both campuses. If students follow the plan, they will earn an associateӰרs degree from SLCC and a bachelorӰרs degree from UL Lafayette.
As part of the program, SLCC students must meet with a UL Lafayette academic advisor at least once per semester. Lana Rodriguez, a UL Lafayette academic counselor for transfer students, said SLCC students will receive guidance in areas such as degree programs and career planning.
Ӱר officials will visit the SLCC campus in Lafayette on the first Wednesday of each month during the Fall 2013 semester, Rodriguez said. ӰרWe will visit the New Iberia campus twice per semester as well.Ӱר
Visit louisiana.edu/admissions for more information, or contact the UL Lafayette Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at (337) 482-6473.