Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 10/6/99
      Contact:                           Carol Dotson 47

SLU TO PARTICIPATE AT ST. TAMMANY  COLLEGE NIGHTS 
     HAMMOND -- St. Tammany Parish high school students can learn about Southeastern
Louisiana University at several College Fairs this month. Southeastern recruiters will participate
in the following college fairs:

                   Pearl River High School College Night
               Monday, October 11, 6-8 p.m., at the high school 
                   East St. Tammany Parish College Night
               Monday, October 11, 6 p.m., at the Slidell City Auditorium 
                   West St. Tammany Parish College Night 
               Tuesday, October 19 7-9p.m., at Fontainebleau High School. 

     Southeastern representatives will provide information on new quality admission
standards, financial aid available such as the state's TOPS program, scholarships and the
university's annual Scholarship Day, housing and the university's special programs. They also
will present displays, videos and brochures and will be able to answer questions about the
university, its programs, and the surrounding area. 
     Southeastern will move from an open to a screened admissions policy in fall 2000. The
new criteria will require a high school student to meet at least one of three criteria: an ACT
composite score of 20 or better, high school graduation ranking of  50 percent or better or high
school core grade point average of 2.0 or better.
     However, Southeastern encourages all prospective students to apply for admission. The
new policy's emphasis on academic readiness is expected to lead to an increase in high school
student performance, reduction in developmental education, and ultimately a more successful
college experience.  
     Students are invited to visit Southeastern's web site at www.selu.edu, where they can
apply to Southeastern online.
     Located in Hammond, Southeastern is a four-year degree-granting institution in the
University of Louisiana system with over 15,000 students. Southeastern offers 42 baccalaureate
and 13 master's degrees. Ninety-two percent of Southeastern's bachelor's degree and all master's
degree programs are nationally accredited.
                                     -SLU-
              This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
              www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf99.htm


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The committee recommended that incoming freshmen meet one of the following criteria: 1) high
school core grade point average of 2.0 or better;  2) ACT composite score of 20 or better; or 3)
high school graduation ranking of 50% or better.  According to Provost Randy Moffett, these
recommendations represent a cautious first step that will be monitored and re-evaluated
periodically if approved.
     Moffett stated that Southeastern wants to send a new welcoming message to incoming
students.  "We are now stressing academic readiness to prospective students.  We want them
prepared for the rigors of the higher education experience.  A broad-based committee of faculty
and staff has spent a lot of time studying and debating this policy change.  We feel good about
these recommendations," Moffett said.
     Based on a review of the Fall 1998 freshman class data, under the proposed policy,
admission would have been granted to 90 percent of the beginning freshman class (including 81
percent of the African American students and 78 percent of the non-traditional freshmen age 25
and older).
     This proposed new policy for Southeastern will go to the Board of Supervisors, Board of
Regents and the federal court for approval.  In addition, meetings have been planned between
Southeastern President Sally Clausen, area superintendents, and technical college directors to
discuss how Southeastern can work with them to promote academic readiness among incoming
students.  
                             (More)
(ADD ONE) / Faculty Senate & Screened Admissions  

     "Southeastern is taking a team approach in this matter.  We are going to work with our
feeder schools to ensure that everyone understands the new admission requirements and that we
continue assisting students to meet our new policy.  We want students to not only choose
Southeastern, but to also find themselves successfully enrolled and prepared when they arrive,"
Moffett said.
     The screened admissions committee stated that they expect this new policy will lead to an
increase in high school student performance, reduction in developmental education, and
ultimately a more successful college experience.

-SLU-
This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf99.htm