Department of General and Basic Studies

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Academic Advising

Alison Blevins, Director

Advisors: Albarado, Darbeau, Guidry, Westfall, Willis

General and Basic Studies provides academic advising to its member students and serves as an initial contact point for first-time freshmen through our Orientation and Peer Leader programs. All first-time freshmen are advised in Basic Studies based on their chosen major. Additionally, associate and bachelor degrees are offered in General Studies for students who have a broad range of interests and are seeking a diverse curriculum.

Students in General and Basic Studies are given a sound basis for understanding academics as well as general knowledge about the University. Our Basic Studies advisors guide students in major selection and counsel them on matters that may affect their academic progress, especially in regard to University policies and procedures.

Students who have declared a major will be advised by Basic Studies until a minimum of 12 hours and a cumulative 2.5 GPA have been earned. Students with less than a 2.5 GPA will remain in Basic Studies until a maximum of 24 hours is earned. Once 24 hours are earned, students will be transferred to their major department. Student who have not completed developmental courses may be retained until 30 hours are earned.

Students who have not yet declared a major will be advised in Basic Studies until 24 hours are earned. These students will be coded as “UND” for degree and “BSTU” for major in the student information system and will be advised according to the core curriculum listed in the catalog. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the academic advisor as soon as a major has been selected. Once the advisor has been notified and the major is changed in the student information system, the student will be subject to the regulations of the catalog in effect at that time.

Orientation

Karen Westfall, Coordinator

Orientation is designed primarily for first-time freshmen and covers programs and policies of the University, which will assist freshmen in adapting to the University environment and in becoming a part of the university community. Orientation is a corequisite for Freshman Foundations 101 (FFND 101), a course designed to assist first-year students in succeeding at the University by developing skills and attitudes necessary to achieve their educational and personal goals. ORIN 101 and FFND 101 form the basis for student success at McNeese State University.

Five Orientation programs are scheduled during the summer for students who will be first-time freshmen in the fall semester. Information and the dates of the five conferences are discussed at the student’s first advising appointment. Two Transfer Orientation programs are scheduled during the summer for students transferring from another institution. Students must register in advance for the date that they plan to attend Orientation. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Freshmen who register for Orientation are assessed a $100 fee to cover the cost of supplies and lunch.

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