- Mailing Address
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P.O. Box 2004
Thibodaux, Louisiana 70310 - Phone
- (985) 448-4507
- Email address
- nicholls@nicholls.edu
- Website
- https://www.nicholls.edu/
- School Information
- "Nicholls State University, located in Thibodaux, La., is an accredited regional university with a diverse population of about 6,500 traditional and nontraditional students. Since first opening its doors in 1948, Nicholls has been the only university serving the Bayou Region. The family-oriented campus offers more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, 90-plus student organizations and 14 Division I athletic teams. Nicholls capitalizes on its prime location and rich culture by offering distinctive academic programs in culinary arts, geomatics, maritime management, marine and environmental science, petroleum services and safety technology. The university serves a large population of first-generation college students and has consistently been designated as a Military Friendly School. The 287-acre Thibodaux campus is located approximately 50 miles west of New Orleans and 60 miles southeast of Baton Rouge" (Source: https://www.nicholls.edu/about/). The student to faculty ratio is 20 to 1.
- General Information
- In response to the anti-racism movement, Nicholls has created an initiative titled Street and Building Names Initiative, which seeks to rename destinations through an anti-racism and diversity driven lens. Nicholls created a task force for diversity and inclusion in 2018. Nicholls plans on creating diversity and inclusion programming. At this time, no mandatory Critical Race Training is required. However, see developments below:
Actions Taken
- Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
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Nicholls' Campus Climate Survey report states that it would "[i]mplement campus-wide education/training on" the following topics: "Practicing Empathy," "How to manage difficult [and] challenging conversation[s]," and "Practicing mindful communication."
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- Resources
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Nicholls has a Diversity and Inclusion Glossary.
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In January 2018, the president created a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Steering Team, and in Fall 2019, a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Office was created too.
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Nicholls will "develop and implement data-driven Diversity and Inclusion programs and events each spring and fall semester."
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The school intends to “develop and implement a campus Marketing and Communication plan that engages diverse individuals” as part of the Campus Climate Survey.
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Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department Dr. Melinda Jackson-Jefferson has "published research on inequality, race and racism in the criminal justice system, social justice, critical race theory, intersectionality (gender, race, and class) and fear of crime."
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- Symbolic Actions
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Nicholls has a Street and Building Names Initiative as part of its mission towards diversity and inclusion.
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Nicholls highlighted a student who organized a march for George Floyd.
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Nicholls is committed to "institutionalizing inclusive excellence."
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On October 7, 2020, the Faculty Senate released its Statement on Social Justice Efforts, saying "As the representative body of the faculty of Nicholls State University, we, the members of the Faculty Senate, fully support non-violent means to ensure equitable justice, especially in the relationship between the justice system, law enforcement, and the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community. We denounce all forms of racism. As faculty, we acknowledge our position of privilege and authority. In the dispensation of our duties, we will strive to effectively educate, promise to work to change campus culture to one more accepting of all differences, and will enthusiastically support all efforts to ensure that students in the BIPOC community are able to access the necessary resources to succeed in their endeavors to achieve their education."
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The school has launched the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. One objective is “cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusivity by ensuring policies and procedures provide equity throughout the university.”
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