Student Engagement
The Division of Student Engagement provides services and programs to enhance and enrich the educational opportunities of students and enrich student life on campus.
The division includes the Setzer Student Center, Student Health Center, New Student & Leadership Programs, Career & Professional Development, University Police, Recreational Sports, Housing & Residence Life and Dean of Students, student clubs and organizations, community service, student activities (Cardinal Activities Board), leadership development, Greek life, orientation and the Student Government Association. The Office of the Vice President of Student Engagement is located in the Setzer Student Center.
Student engagement provides leadership in the formulation and administration of policies and procedures related to student life and to the rights and responsibilities that accompany student citizenship in the university community. The Student Conduct Code as well as other important information pertaining to student life is included in the Student Handbook. Significant sections in the handbook and other university publications clearly describe ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ’s policies regarding such subjects as student absences, AIDS, non-discrimination, drug and tobacco use, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, the Buckley Amendment), residency, hazing, sexual harassment, student’s right-to-know, and campus security. It is the student’s responsibility to know university policies and procedures that are contained in the Student Handbook and to comply with them. View the Student Handbook online.1. Living at ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ
1. Housing and Residence Life
The Department of Housing and Residence Life is committed to providing a living environment that is supportive to the academic mission of the university. We accomplish this by stimulating the learning process and integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences through activities and knowledge essential to students' preparation for a life of leadership, intellectual engagement, citizenship, and civility.
2. University Residency Policy
All undergraduate students who have graduated from high school with fewer than 30 earned semester credit hours are required to reside in a university-operated residence hall.
3. Parking
To park a vehicle on campus, all faculty, staff, and students are required to purchase a current parking permit and display it properly. A copy of the parking and traffic regulations is issued to everyone who purchases a permit. Parking and traffic regulations are in effect 24 hours a day, all year.
2. Student Guidance and Health
1. Center for Career and Professional Development
The staff assists students and alumni with all facets of career preparation, beginning with university entrance and special placement exams, major course of study selection, career choice and planning, resume preparation, interviewing preparation, goal planning, and full-time employment after graduation. Students have access to on-line job searching and computerized guidance assessment programs.
Testing Services
¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ Center for Career and Professional Services is a national testing site for Prometric and Pearson Vue. The center offers a full range of testing services for aptitude and achievement and coordinates testing required by the university. Among the tests administered are ACCUPLACER, SAT, ACT, TSI, THEA, CLEP, GMAT, GRE, and TExES.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General and GRE Subject Exams—used for graduate school admission
- HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.)—used for admission to undergraduate nursing programs
- LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test)—used for law school admission
- MCAT(Medical College Admissions Test)—used for medical school admission
- MAT (Miller Analogies Test)—used for admissions to graduate nursing program
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)—used for business graduate school admission
- TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards)—used for education assessment
- DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)—used for credit by examination purposes
For more information see the website or call client services at (409) 880-8878.
2. Student Health and Insurance
1. Student Health Center
The Student Health Center offers medical, counseling services and health education to currently enrolled students. Nurse practitioners and a physician are available for general medicine services. Female nurse practitioners provide gynecological services. More serious injuries are referred to local emergency rooms or family physician offices. Students with chronic conditions are encouraged to continue to see their primary care physician for maintenance and medication adjustments. Student Health Center services are available by appointment only Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled at the Health Center reception window or over the phone at (409) 880-8466. A Student Health Center fee charged to the student upon registration each semester ensures eligibility for Health Center services during that semester. In addition, a $10.00 office co-pay will be charged for each visit. Student ID is required at the time of the visit. Any charges will be the responsibility of the student. The in-house pharmacy offers limited prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medicines and supplies. Lab fees, procedures, and medication prices are reasonable.
The health center is also staffed with licensed professional counselors who offer short-term psychological counseling and individual therapy. A $10.00 office co-pay is also applied for each session. After hours, on weekends, and when the university is not in session, health care becomes the individual student’s responsibility. Any expenses incurred for ambulance service or off-campus medical needs are also the responsibility of the student. Students are encouraged to maintain some form of health insurance to cover these expenses, as they can be quite costly. Detailed information regarding Student Health Center services is available at lamar.edu/healthcenter.
2. Health Insurance
Health and accident insurance is required of all international students, residence hall occupants, and participants in intramural sports. Any registered student taking six or more credit hours (three hours during the summer sessions) is eligible for enrollment in an affordable insurance plan offered by an independent insurance company, Academic Health Plans at . Most services provided at the Health Center are covered by Academic Health Plans at 100 percent.
Premiums are due at the time of enrollment and are available per semester or on an annual basis. Detailed information and enrollment forms are available on Academic Health Plan website, through the Student Health Center and L.I.T. Student Services, or on the Student Health Center website.3. Student Activities and Recreation
The Setzer Student Center (SSC), named for Dr. Richard W. Setzer, university president from 1967 to 1969, is the center of student life on ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ’s campus.
Housed in the Setzer Student Center are various programs to meet the needs of students. The Food Court provides varied food service. Other services include the University Bookstore, Student Organization Services, Student Government Association, Greek Life, Setzer Student Center Reservations, and the Vice President of Student Engagement. More information about the student center and its services is available at (409) 880-8722.
More than 200 student organizations are currently active at Lamar. Students join and participate in many different types of groups: professional/departmental, religious, mutual interest, service, honor, spirit, sports, or social. Participation in well-developed co-curricular activities enhances the educational experience.
3. Student Activities (Cardinal Activities Board)
This is a student programming board responsible for providing the campus with a diverse schedule of programs and extracurricular activities. The programming board consists of student directors and volunteers, who develop social, educational, and cultural opportunities for ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ.
Service is an integral part of life at ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ. Service programs are sponsored by New Student and Leadership Programs. The program advocates meaningful service opportunities and personal growth. Programs housed under Civic Engagement include The Big Event and Dance Marathon.
Leadership development programming serves as a resource for student leadership development and partners with others campus efforts to train, educate, and develop students for purposeful leadership. A LU LEadership Certificate is offered through New Student and Leadership Programs.
6. Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) represents the voice of students, facilitates new and improved student services and programs. All regularly enrolled ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ students are represented by the Student Government Association, which affords each student an opportunity to promote, support, and participate in a well-rounded student life program.
Seniors of Significance are selected each year. The Bess Gentry and C. Robert Kemble Awards recognize the outstanding senior woman and man, respectively, each year.
¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ competes at the NCAA Division 1 level and is a member of The Southland Conference. Lamar offers 15 intercollegiate sports. Women’s sports are basketball, cross country, volleyball, golf, indoor and outdoor track, soccer, and tennis. Men’s sports are baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor and outdoor track, and tennis. Lamar students with valid IDs are admitted free to all university athletic events and are strongly encouraged to attend and support the Cardinals.
Several campus ministries provide fellowship, worship, and recreational activities for ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ students and have established student centers adjacent to campus. These centers include the Baptist Student Union, Church of Christ Student Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Catholic Student Center, and Wesley Foundation (United Methodist). Some ministries sponsor retreats, special programs, and community services.
The visual and performing arts thrive on ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ’s campus. The Dishman Art Museum provides one of the finest collegiate exhibition spaces in the state of Texas with two galleries, a preparation area, and a lecture hall with video and projection facilities. The Dishman presents local, regional, and national touring exhibitions. A variety of public programs, including openings, artist lectures, panel discussions, and student and faculty shows are scheduled throughout the year.
Lamar Theatre performs productions each year, including comedy, drama, and musicals. Lamar’s 500-seat proscenium theatre and flexible-seating “black box” studio theatre host productions.
The Wind Ensemble and Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Brass Quintet, Grand Chorus, and other musical groups represent Lamar at numerous state and national music educator conventions; moreover, these groups may be heard on a regular basis on and off campus throughout the year. Basketball fans enjoy the Cardinal Pep Band, which performs at all home games, and The Lamar Marching Band "Showcase of Southeast Texas" is a highlight of Cardinal Football games.
The Lamar Dance Company presents several concerts each year and joins the musical ensemble for various presentations.
University student publications include The University Press, the campus student newspaper that publishes bimonthly during the semesters and on the Web year-round. The University Press, with offices in the Carl Parker Building, serves as a training opportunity for students interested in journalism. The University Press may be found online at .
All currently enrolled students who have paid the recreational sports fee have access to Lamar recreational sports facilities and may participate in the wide variety of activities that are offered, such as intramural sports, group fitness, outdoor pursuits, aquatics, and informal recreation. All users of recreational sports facilities must present current Lamar photo identification for entry.
The Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center (SURC) is a state-of-the-art facility offering 130,000 square feet of activity space. Highlights of the SURC include an indoor track, a 40-foot indoor rock climbing wall, a fitness center featuring the Cardio Theater audio/visual system on select cardio machines, a full line of pin-select progressive weight machines, and a full array of free weights. The SURC also houses a cafeé; television and game lounge; three dedicated basketball courts; five racquetball courts; a multipurpose court for badminton, volleyball, and table tennis; an outdoor putting green; and a fully-enclosed indoor soccer/floor hockey rink. Sports and outdoor equipment is available for daily and overnight rental at the equipment desk. Additionally, the SURC Pro Shop offers recreational sports-branded athletic apparel and sports and fitness equipment and supplies.
4. Student Engagement Policies
1. Eligibility for Co-Curricular Activities
An co-curricular activity is understood to be any activity representing the student body, any student organization, any department or division organization, or any general activity representing the university. The Student Handbook describes eligibility requirements.
2. Conduct and Discipline: Student Code of Conduct
A student is subject to disciplinary action for unacceptable behavior, as described in the Student Handbook, published online at /students/student-engagement/about/student-handbook.html.
¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ is not responsible for debts contracted by individual students or student organizations and will not act as a collection agency for organizations, firms, or individuals to whom students may owe bills. Students and student organizations are expected to honor contractual obligations promptly, but in case of flagrant disregard of such obligations, the vice president for student engagement or his designated representative will take appropriate action.
Failure to pay or make suitable payment arrangements for all university tuition and fees by the specified date may result in suspension from the university and future registration. After the 12th class day in the long semester and the fourth class day of each summer term, failure to pay all tuition and fees by the specified date may result in suspension at the end of the current semester and may include the following: a) denial of readmission, b) withholding of grades and transcripts, and c) withholding of a degree.
Hazing is prohibited in state educational institutions by the Texas Education Code. Students of ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ are forbidden to engage in, encourage, aid, or assist any person(s) participating in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing. Any student who does so will be subject to university disciplinary action and may also be dealt with by civil authorities. Refer to the Student Handbook for more specific definitions and information relative to the legal implications of hazing.
A student who provides false information or makes false statements to any ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ official or office or on an official form submitted to the university is subject to immediate dismissal.
An official university summons takes precedence over other ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ activities of the student and should be answered promptly on the day and hour designated. Failure to heed an official summons may subject the student to additional disciplinary action.
These travel procedures apply to faculty and staff who engage in transporting students off campus a distance of 25 miles or more from campus to an activity or event that is organized, sponsored, or funded by the institution, using a vehicle owned or operated by the institution, or travel that is required by an organization registered at the institution. These travel procedures are considered to be minimum standards; departments may mandate additional procedures. These procedures reference Texas Education Code Section 51.949.
It is recommended that a designated staff member(s) and/or faculty accompany each student travel group. In the event an advisor cannot attend the function with the student/student group, the organization member/members should be advised on what should be the expected behavior from each student. All university rules and regulations must be followed.
Groups of 24 or more may be required to obtain commercial/chartered transportation. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and the final approval for such an event will be decided by the vice president for finance and operations or his/her designee after consultation with the student organization advisor. Chartered transportation must comply with all state and federal laws. Groups of fewer than 24 may travel by university-owned, leased, rented, or privately owned motor vehicles.
For student/student organization travel, only employees of ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ are allowed to drive university-owned motor vehicles. ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ students are not covered under the university insurance policy unless they are employed by the university. Any employee who is to drive a university vehicle must first provide the vice president for finance and operations and/or his/her designee with a copy of his/her driver’s license and sign an “Application for Copy of Driver Record” form. A license check will be run that will reflect the status of the employee’s driver’s license and list any accidents and moving violations in the past three years. Permission for an employee to drive a university-owned motor vehicle will depend on the results of their driving record. A copy of the employee’s driver’s license and the “Application for Copy of Driver Record” must be submitted to the office of the vice president for finance and operations at least two weeks prior to the date the employee is expected to drive the university-owned motor vehicle. A student/student organization that rents, leases, or uses a privately-owned motor vehicle for university-sponsored travel must obtain liability insurance.
Because personal automobile insurance will be considered first in the event of an accident, all persons who use their personal vehicles while conducting university business should be aware of the possibility of personal liability related to such use. No individual shall be required to use his/her personal vehicle to drive to official university-sponsored activities, and no student shall be required to use his/her personal vehicle to perform university-related activities. Use of personal vehicles by students to drive to official university-sponsored activities is discouraged.
All state and federal laws will be followed when operating a vehicle for student/student organization official travel. Drivers will comply with all applicable traffic laws and regulations. All occupants must use seat belts and other safety devices when the vehicle is in motion. Manufacturer-suggested vehicle capacities will be followed when vehicles are used by students/student organizations.
The following activities are PROHIBITED for drivers while driving:
- Driving while under the influence of impairing drugs or alcohol
- Use of radar/laser detection devices
- Use of headphones or earphones
- Use of cell phone
- Eating, smoking or drinking
The fatigue of the vehicle operator should be considered at the time of travel, and only rested drivers should operate a vehicle. Each student who travels by motor vehicle or any other form of transportation to participate in a university-related activity must execute a copy of the Release and Indemnification Agreement.
Any traveling student less than 18 years of age must have a “Consent for Treatment” form on file. Organizations that travel frequently are encouraged to have “Consent for Treatment” forms on file for all travelers. Departments that encourage or require one or more students to travel to events and activities covered under this policy are responsible for verifying that students are aware of this policy.
Faculty and staff employees who fail to comply with this policy are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with applicable provision of the faculty handbook and the staff personnel manual.
Individual students who violate this policy and the safe travel rules approved by the university are subject to disciplinary action, to include suspension. Student organizations that violate this policy and the safe travel rules are subject to disciplinary action to include suspension and loss of funding.