ÃŞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes have a new place to hit the books.
The University of ÃŞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette’s 5,431-square-foot Student-Athlete Academic Services Center replaces the previous learning center in Agnes Edwards Hall.
The new state-of-the-art center on the third floor of Edith Garland Dupré Library houses a 25-desk classroom, a 48-seat computer lab, tutoring spaces with computers, connections for laptops, offices and other amenities.
“It’s designed to give student-athletes tools to succeed in the classroom and in their respective sports,†said Christy Alford, assistant director of ÃŞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ for Student-Athlete Academics Services.
In addition to academic support, UL Lafayette’s more than 400 student-athletes are instructed about NCAA, Sun Belt Conference and University regulations and standards.
Beyond keeping ÃŞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ Ragin’ Cajuns on the playing field, the center helps prepare them for life after the last whistle blows, Alford said.
“It provides resources that will help student-athletes reach their personal and professional goals. That starts with academic accomplishment,†she explained.
The strategy is working.
Over the last five years, student-athletes at the University have consistently graduated at rates higher than their peers at the Sun Belt Conference’s 12 institutions and the state’s 11 Division 1 schools.
"The success is a testament to our student-athletes. They work very hard to achieve their goals,†Alford said.
Photo caption: The University’s new Student-Athlete Academic Services Center provides tutoring and academic counseling for its more than 400 ÃŞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ Ragin’ Cajuns who play 16 sports. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / University of ÃŞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ at Lafayette).