The Division of Student Affairs

The mission of the Division for Student Affairs is to provide students with quality support that will complement and enhance the academic mission of the University, while operating as an integral part of the University’s overall design of programs and services. In order to fulfill its mission, the division has committed itself to leading the University in establishing and maintaining an environment that will allow each SUNO student to grow and develop to his or her full potential, while raising each student’s sense of pride and school spirit, level of self-concept, and degree of ambition and aspiration. The Division has a system of programs and services that span the breadth of the University’s operation, serving as the integrating and unifying force in the college-life environment.

The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management has administrative responsibility for the following departments and components.

Student Affairs

Career Counseling and Placement
Intramural Sports Program
Lyceum Program
Residential Life
Services for Students with Disabilities
Student Activities and Organizations
Student Development Center
Student Health Services
University Center
Veterans Affairs

Career Counseling and Placement Center

The Office of Career Counseling and Placement provides information for individuals seeking help with career decisions. The Office provides individual counseling sessions and referrals to SUNO students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In addition, the Office sponsors activities, programs, and workshops for people seeking career advancement opportunities. Information is maintained and disseminated by the Career Counseling and Placement Office concerning private and public employment opportunities, as well as graduate and professional school admissions. Representatives from businesses, governmental agencies, and industry visit the Office of Career Counseling and Placement, interview candidates, and/or provide employment literature for potential employees and interns. Efforts are made to assist in workforce development by conducting workshops on interviewing, resume’ writing, and “dressing for success.” Students are provided opportunities to visit various graduate/professional schools via Office sponsored site visitations. These visitations allow participants the opportunity to gain “first-hand” information on housing, financial aid, and academic programs offered by the host institutions. The Office of Career Counseling and Placement hosts the Career Day Program, the Graduate and Professional Schools Program, and the Mardi Gras Invitational Job Fair annually. These programs allow participants to gain useful information about employment and advanced study opportunities in a more casual and less intimidating environment.

Intramural Sports Program

The Intramural Sports Program at Southern University at New Orleans offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of intramural sports activities. These activities are designed to provide constructive use of leisure time, enrich collegiate extracurricular experiences, and develop team and individual growth skills. The Intramural Sports Program includes men’s flag football and basketball; women’s volleyball, basketball, and softball; and co-recreational volleyball and aerobics programs. In addition to regularly scheduled games in the University of New Orleans (UNO) and Open League Tournaments, teams are entered in the Louisiana Collegiate Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (LCIRSA) State Championship Tournaments each year. Over the years, the Men’s Flag Football Team and Basketball Team and the Women’s Volleyball Team have won eight national and state championships combined. The program is governed by the rules and regulations of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Associations (NIRSA) and the Louisiana Collegiate Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (LCIRSA) of which it is a fully accredited member.

Funding for the Intramural Sports Program is generated from student assessed fees which are included in each student’s tuition at the time of enrollment. Thus, students who are enrolled in the University are eligible to participate. Students interested in participating should contact the Intramural Sports Program office to register for the sport program(s) of their choice.

Lyceum Program

Lyceum is a program that falls under the auspices of the Division for Student Affairs. The purpose of the Lyceum Program is to provide students with quality programs that will complement the academic mission of the University and enhance the overall educational experience of students by exposing them to various cultures and experiences, ideas and issues, art and musical forms, and styles of life. The University community is enriched through development of, exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, and intellectual activities.

Residential Life

The Office of Residential Life is committed to creating an environment which contributes to the holistic development of our residential students. All efforts are made to design programs which celebrate diversity, encourage personal development, and strive for consistent accountability while demanding high standards. The Residential Life community serves as the catalyst in ‘Completing the Cycle of Student Development’. Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) celebrated the Grand Opening of its Residential Life community in January of 2010. The newly developed residential facility provides apartment style living for students and faculty. The beautifully designed units are fully furnished and offer amenities such as a computer lab, an activity center, on-site postal service, shuttle service, and telephones. The units are affordably priced to include the cost of utilities. Financial aid is available for those students who qualify.

Services for Students with Disabilities
Emmett Bashful Administration Bldg. Room 204

(504) 286-5335

Office Hours – 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

The Services for Students with Disabilities program addresses the needs of a diverse population and provides special assistance, accommodations, and appropriate services/programs to ensure accessibility and to meet the needs of individuals with documented disabilities. The primary purpose of the program is to instill a sense of self-advocacy in students with disabilities and to provide auxiliary aids in an effort to ensure full participation in all university activities and programs.

The program offers academic support services and resources that cannot be developed or adequately provided by other campus departments. Such support services and resources include, but are not limited to, tutorial services, enlarge printed materials, test-proctoring and specialized computerized equipment.

Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office upon admission to the university and to provide official documentation regarding the nature of their disability.  All information received is confidential and released with the written consent of the student, except in emergency cases.   

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment of students, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. These behaviors are clear impediments to creating an educational atmosphere which is free from discrimination. As a result, an institution receiving federal funds must promulgate strategies and policies which demonstrate its ability to uphold the law and comply with applicable regulations. When the Complainant or Respondent is a student, the violation falls under the provisions of Title IX.

The Title IX Coordinator is located within the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities in Administration Building, Room 204. Phone number and office hours are as provided above. Additional information is also located on the SUNO website, www.suno.edu.

Student Activities and Organizations

University Center – Second Floor

(504) 286-5388

Office Hours – 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

The Office of Student Activities and Organizations complements the academic programs and enhances the overall educational experiences of students through development of, exposure to, and participation in social, cultural, intellectual, recreational, and governance programs. A variety of student activities have been developed to allow students to participate in the campus life of the University. These activities are planned and implemented through collaborative efforts of students, faculty, and staff.

More than thirty (30) student organizations and activities are registered through the Student Activities and Organizations Office. These groups afford students the opportunity to develop organizational, social and communication skills. Included in these organizations are the Student Government Association (SGA), class organizations, student publications, honor societies, academic and professional groups, political clubs, service groups, fraternities, sororities, and cultural arts and religious groups. A newspaper is also published by students with guidance from the University.

The SGA, the largest and most prominent student organization on campus, has as its functions the representation of SUNO students in matters pertaining to student welfare, activities, and participation in University affairs, planning, and administration. The SGA initiates and integrates student activities and serves as liaison between the administration and the student body. Students are assessed an SGA fee which is included in tuition at the time of enrollment. Therefore, all students who are enrolled in the University are automatically members of the organization.

Additional information is provided on the University website at www.suno.edu.

Student Health Services
University Center, Second Floor

(504) 286-5374

Office Hours – 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

The SUNO Student Health Services Program focuses on preventive health care through education and is available to all enrolled students. Currently, one (1) full-time registered nurse and one (1) part-time physician provide these services from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Friday and from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Each student pays a nominal non-refundable fee for basic health services, which is included in tuition fees.

The Student Health Services Program provides health counseling, health information, and medical care for minor medical problems. Through Student Health Services, students with major medical problems are referred to local hospitals and/or specialists. Students requiring X-rays, laboratory tests, and dental care are referred to local physicians/agencies.

The Office of Student Health Services is not a total care facility and cannot care for students who may become seriously or critically ill. In the event that a student is seriously injured or becomes seriously ill while on campus, emergency or paramedic service will be called, if needed, to transport the injured or ill student to an outside agency. Students are financially responsible for their own transportation to and from outside health care agencies.

Student Insurance: In addition to the on-campus health services program, the University offers a Student Accident and Health Insurance Plan for all enrolled students. The cost of the plan is included in the registration fees paid by students. Students are covered at home, at school, and while traveling 24 hours a day for the fall, spring and summer terms. While health insurance is made available, students are financially responsible for all medical expenses that they incur that are not covered by the Student Accident and Health Insurance Plan. Brochures describing the coverage and benefits can be obtained from Student Health Services and the Division for Student Affairs.

Student Development Center
University Center – Second Floor

(504) 286-5361

Office Hours – 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday

“Shaping lives, Developing minds, and Creating wellness” is the motto of the Student Development Center. The mission of SDC is to provide intentionally designed multifaceted services in a safe and conducive environment that facilitates growth, wellness, and development of the entire individual. These intentionally packaged, culturally competent, and sensitive services are delivered in a “hi-touch” environment through the following five components:

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Education and Counseling (ATOD)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Community Service Learning (CSL)
International Student Services (ISS)
Special Programming (SP)

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Education and Counseling (ATOD)

ATOD recognizes that the use of alcohol, tobacco and drug use while attempting to achieve academic success to completion can be counterproductive for some students. Emphasis is placed on the development of the of the students’ mental, behavioral, and physical health by equipping him/her with the life skills needed to prevent poor classroom performance and low GPAs that affect retention. Thus, the component provides these services:

Screenings, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment
Educational Workshops
Classroom Presentations
Confidential Counseling services and case management
Student goal setting, Self- assessments, Individualized Service Plan (ISP) development
Referral Services
Dissemination of ATOD informational materials, current laws policies campus-wide
Harm Reduction and Health Risks reduction
Classroom assignments assistance

Community Service Learning (CSL)

Southern University at New Orleans requires that all undergraduate students complete sixty (60) hours of community service as a requirement of graduation. Community Service work must be completed to obtain clearance to participate in graduation ceremonies. Community Service must be completed at an approved non-profit organization or a pre-approved location by the Community Service Coordinator. Students cannot receive pay of any sort for the service performed. Students who have met the work hour requirements of internship/practicum courses - as required by their departments/colleges - will be deemed to have met the University’s community service work hour requirements.

Important information about Community Service Learning hours:

Site approval must be obtained from the CSL Coordinator
CSL application must be completed prior to the commencement of service learning hours
The CSL Coordinator is available to assist students with site placement

CSL HOURS ARE WAIVED IF THE STUDENT MEETS THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

The student is twenty-five (25) years or older when enrolling as a first-time freshmen and has earned a high school equivalency certificate
The student is an international student
The student has a certificate verifying that the disability would jeopardize the welfare of the student and or the host organization.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a critical component that recognizes the importance of the counseling relationship on college campus. CAPS provide a host of services extending from individual and group counseling to presentations and resource dissemination. Strategic methods are utilized to help students gain skills to maintain success in their personal and academic lives. There are plenty of resources available to help students with their mental and emotional wellbeing which are a central concern to the area including but not limited to: domestic violence campaigns, wellness fairs, girl talk forums, literature and media correspondence. Delivering diverse services, CAPS utilizes the wellness model to help the whole student provide building collaborations with administration, faculty, staff, residential life, student leaders and other organizations on campus. Utilizing a holistic approach student receive a better delivery of services. Counseling services are interested in providing the maximum outcomes of student support and success utilizing the strengths based perspective.

The benefits of counseling to students include:

Increasing self-awareness
Understanding personal goals clearly
Setting priorities
Managing time effectively
Improving study skills
Identifying self-motivators
Decreasing test-anxiety
Overcoming procrastination
Understanding and conquering self-defeating behavior
Managing personal relationship issues
Building social skills
Managing anger
Handling stressors successfully
Reducing depression
Minimizing roommate issues

Students, especially Online students, are encouraged to visit the University website at www.suno.edu for additional information.

International Student Services (ISS)

ISS provides services and programs that support the immigration compliance, academic success, personal development and adjustment to the new country and community to all international students on F-1 visa status and their dependents. ISS serves as the place for cultural and educational programming that broadens perspectives, emphasizes diversity and inspires all students to appreciate open-mindedness. ISS plans and implements many international activities including, International FEST and offers opportunities for interactions with other peoples and cultures. The ISS issues Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)-approved Form I-20 and ensures that F1 students maintain compliance with the rules and regulations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of The US Homeland Security.

Services offered include:

Culturally competent counseling
Adjustment counseling
Advocacy
Diversity/Cultural Programs
Immigration Advisement

International Student Online Class Limit

Online Classes/Full Course of Study: 8/C.F.R. S214.2 (f)(6)(i)(G) – For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per semester may be counted toward the full course of study requirements if the class is taken on-line or through distance education and does not require the student’s physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. Simply stated, international student enrollment in online classes cannot exceed more than one class or three credit hours per semester to be counted toward the full-time study requirements.

Special Programming

This component of the Student Development Center consists of special programming and services that “bridge the gap” between the student’s academic and non-academic life. The Student Development Center oversees the planning and implementations of special events such as:

International Culture Fest (March/April)
National Domestic Violence Awareness Week (October)
Volunteer Fair (November)
SUNO Annual Family Wellness Fair (April)

Other Services Offered Include:

Stress-Free Zone-Indoor serenity room with fifteen-minute relaxation massage chairs for self-help stress management
“De-stress” for finals (Scranton’s, pencils, bluebooks)
Workshop Series
Classroom Presentations
Consultation and presentations to student organizations, departments, faculty and staff
Counselors on Call

University Center

The University Center, a service facility, is the heart of student campus life, providing opportunities for cultural, social, and recreational activities. The University Center operates as a complement to the educational objectives of the University and provides a place for socialization and recreational activities between classes. The University Center is the community center of the campus serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community. The University Center is furnished with a campus book store, a bowling alley, Provisions on Demand (POD) Kiosk, reception area, swimming pool, game area, and organization room. The University Center is the home base for the Observer (school newspaper), SGA, and the Division of Student Affairs. Thus, the University Center represents the focus of non-academic campus life and provides the services needed to facilitate student interaction through its various programs.

Veterans Affairs

The Veterans Affairs Office is an important academic support component which provides basic tutorial services for all veterans and veterans’ dependents matriculating at the University. The University has the approval to certify educational benefits to qualified veterans and their dependents under the provision of 38 U.S.C. 3675. The Veterans Affairs Office provides information and assistance regarding educational and training programs. Veterans and veterans’ dependents should obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from their local Veterans Administration Office or Military Unit to be presented to the Veterans Affairs Office.

Veterans are required by the Veterans Administration Office to carry a minimum of twelve (12) hours for the entire semester to receive full subsistence (6 hours constitute full-time status for the summer sessions) and must conform to the same grading system at the University as non-veteran students. Those veterans who are eligible for benefits under the legislation must comply with and meet the standards as set forth by the University regarding attendance, conduct, withdrawal, and suspension. In addition, veterans and veterans’ dependents must also take courses that apply to his/her chosen objective and are not allowed to receive educational benefits for repeated courses. The Veterans Affairs Office will notify the Veterans Administration Office within thirty (30) days in all cases of unsatisfactory academic progress and attendance.

The following individuals shall be charged a rate of tuition not to exceed the in-state rate for tuition and fees purposes:

A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Louisiana while attending a school located in Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Louisiana while attending a school located in Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor's discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three-year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Louisiana while attending a school located in Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Louisiana while attending a school located in Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
The policy shall be read to be amended as necessary to be compliant with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) as amended.

All students receiving veterans’ educational benefits must register with the Veterans Affairs Office each semester in order to continue receiving benefits. For more information, contact the SUNO’s Veterans Affairs Office at the number listed below.

DIVISION FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS (Administration Building, Room 305)	286-5015
CAREER COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT (University Center, Room 207)	286-5389
INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM (Gym)	286-5438
RESIDENTIAL LIFE (HOUSING)	286-5229
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (Administration Building, Room 204)	286-5335
STUDENT ACTIVITES AND ORGANIZATIONS (University Center, Second Floor)	286-5388
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT CENTER (University Center)	286-5361
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (University Center, Third Floor)	286-5358
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES (University Center)	286-5374
VETERANS AFFAIRS (University Center, Room 207)	286-5389