Southeastern commits to student success with four-year degree and no tuition increase guarantee
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND –The Southeastern Promise will be available to Southeastern Louisiana University
beginning freshmen starting this fall. Through this ground-breaking program – the
only one of its kind in Louisiana – Southeastern will promise these students no tuition
increases and class availability to ensure their degree completion in four years.
The initiative entails two central components for eligible students who opt to
participate:
• Southeastern will not raise tuition for participating students during their
four-year tenure
• Southeastern commits to providing availability of courses to ensure appropriate
progress and enable degree attainment within four years
The launch of The Southeastern Promise at this time is a result of several factors.
Non-fulfillment of the TOPS scholarship tuition payments by the state and multiple
tuition increases in recent years due to declining state funding to state universities
have created a confusing environment of financial uncertainty for students and their
families. As the cost of a college education has increased, more students realize
the urgency of completing their degrees in an expeditious manner.
“The Southeastern Promise is a game-changer in Louisiana,” said Southeastern
President John L. Crain. “Earning a university degree is more important than ever,
and also more expensive than ever before. Likewise financial planning for college
has become difficult due to tuition increases. We hope to remove that future uncertainty
for those students willing to participate and achieve their higher education goals
in a timely manner.”
The plan relies on a student’s commitment to complete the 120 hours required for
a typical bachelor’s degree within four years by following a prescribed curriculum
for their selected course of study. Southeastern is committing to participating students
that it will offer all the courses needed when they’re needed to graduate within the
four-year time frame. If students adhere to the program, any potential tuition increases
that may be implemented by the university over those four years will not apply. Program
details can be found at southeastern.edu/promise.
Southeastern academic advisors will work with freshmen to choose their majors
wisely and develop a four-year degree plan. Following the prescribed curriculum for
their chosen major involves successful completion of at least 30 hours per year. If
it is impossible for a student to reach the goal due to class scheduling or availability
problems, the university will work with the student on a combination of equivalent
class substitutions or provide scholarship funds for the remaining classes needed
for degree attainment.
“For 90 years now, Southeastern has been dedicated to one thing – our students’
success,” Crain said. “Our entire university is focused on serving our students by
providing strong academic programs with a personalized, caring culture that lays the
groundwork for success.
Part of our focus on student success is sensitivity to college affordability,
he added.
“Southeastern has always represented a great value and we have a long-standing
tradition of programs and initiatives that save students money,” he said, pointing
to the university’s textbook rental program as an example.
“Southeastern operates one of the first and now longest-running textbook rental
programs in the nation, which saves students hundreds of dollars each semester, he
said.
“The Southeastern Promise continues our student-centered path. Students who are
committed to succeeding will succeed. That is our promise.”
The Southeastern Promise is open to beginning freshman students entering the
university in the Summer 2017 or Fall 2017 semesters who elect to participate in the
program. Students do not necessarily have to declare a major in the first year but
must declare an eligible major by the start of their sophomore semester.
The initiative requires the student successfully complete a minimum of one-quarter
of the applicable credits for the selected degree program each academic year. The
majority of Southeastern undergraduate degree programs consist of 120 total credit
hours. Enrollment at the university can include summer sessions to earn additional
credits toward the goal if needed. Enrollment must be continuous at the university,
and students are expected to remain in good academic standing.
Southeastern’s commitment involves providing the student with a four-year academic
map for eligible majors; providing academic advising during the initial enrollment
period and prior to the start of each semester; ensuring the availability of courses
to complete the 2017 four-year graduation plan; providing students with tools, including
an online degree audit to assist in monitoring progress; and providing students with
an annual evaluation of degree progress.
“Southeastern is committed to creating an educational environment designed to
ensure student success and to offer an excellent educational value,” Crain said. “The
Southeastern Promise offers students and parents the opportunity to more easily plan
an academic pathway at a structured cost.”
For more information on the plan, visit the website southeastern.edu/promise.
