The University's continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution's mission and are in compliance. The University's mission [1] is as stated:

Nicholls State University Web Site, About Nicholls

Mission

Nicholls State University commits itself to offering an excellent comprehensive education that meets the needs of the communities it serves. Through quality teaching, research, and service, the University strives to achieve accreditation in all eligible programs, evidence of its commitment to south central Louisiana and beyond.

Nicholls has multiple avenues for offering continuing education, outreach, and service programs consistent with its mission:

•	Office of Continuing Education (OCE) [2]
•	Programs offered by colleges and departments

Office of Continuing Education (OCE)

The Office of Continuing Education provides South Louisiana with a variety of programs for both adult and youth at Nicholls State University. Programs provide opportunities for intellectual and personal development. Fees for these programs vary depending on the topic, the number of hours of instruction, and the supplies required. Individuals may register for these programs in person, by mail, by phone, or online.

The OCE also contracts with off-campus groups that want to use Nicholls' facilities and services. The OCE provides a one-stop service for coordinating food and housing services and scheduling university facilities and equipment. The office also provides management, marketing, and fiscal monitoring for a program.

As explained on the OCE's Web site, "adult non-credit programs are of two major types: community enrichment and professional development. These programs are generally open to the public and do not require that participants have a high school diploma. Most classes are scheduled in the evenings or on Saturdays. Each semester, a brochure describing the current offerings is made available to the public." In the spring of 2005, these offerings included 83 courses and 668 participants.

Community enrichment courses are primarily special interest classes, designed to expand students' horizons and create new interests. Courses offered vary from semester to semester and include a variety of topics from floral design to financial planning, from Cajun dancing to microcomputers.

Professional development courses include seminars, conferences, and workshops aimed at employed individuals who wish to update their knowledge and skills. Because these courses are flexible, they can be arranged quickly to meet the constantly changing needs of area businesses and industries. These programs are held on Nicholls' Thibodaux or Houma campuses, at local businesses, or at other convenient locations. Some courses award Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Credit courses are approved by academic departments (see Nicholls' response to Comprehensive Standard 3.4.1 [3]). Students unable to attend classes on the Nicholls State University campus in Thibodaux can still participate by taking courses over the Internet through a partnership with the office of Electronic Learning [4]. These courses may be structured either synchronously, asynchronously, or both.

The OCE offers youth programs which are geared to support the community. These programs, which may be athletic, recreational, or academic in nature, are presented in a comprehensive youth-oriented format. In the summer of 2004, these offerings included 91 programs and 1,634 participants.

All youth programs and camps are open to the public. Classes are held year round including weekends, holidays, and evenings. Youth camps, clinics, leagues, classes, institutes, workshops, etc. which meet on campus facilities or grounds, whether sponsored by a University department, faculty or staff member, or an outside entity, are administered through the OCE, located in the Donald G. Bollinger Memorial Student Union. This service provides marketing, registration, and administration services.

Local, University, and national presenters direct all adult and youth courses and programs. Qualified instructors are approved by the Continuing Education Director and by an advisory committee as needed. These courses foster the University's mission to meet the needs of the community.

The OCE also offers unique credit courses in agriculture. Two sugar cane institutes are offered each year [5]. They include the Sugar Cane Refiners' Institute, which began in 1978, and the Raw Cane Sugar Manufacturers' Institute, which began in 1985. To date over 1,500 participants representing 30 countries and 16 states of the United States have attended these concentrated courses. Approximately 48 refineries, 35 mills, and 30 companies have sent representatives to participate in the two programs. Upon successful completion of an institute, students are awarded a certificate of completion and four college credits at the undergraduate level. These offerings are evidence of Nicholls State University's mission to offer quality instruction to south central Louisiana and beyond.

Other Programs offered by the University, Colleges, and Departments

For several years the University has sponsored an annual Jubilee Festival with events on campus and throughout the community [6]. The goal of the Jubilee Festival is "to raise the level of awareness in the arts and humanities for the University and the southeast region of Louisiana that it serves. The purpose of the Jubilee Festival is to educate the student body, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding communities on matters of interest to the arts and humanities; to furnish role models through presenting locally and nationally distinguished lecturers and performers both on campus and in the surrounding community; and to raise consciousness and appreciation of the arts and humanities."

Biology
Numerous continuing education, outreach, and service programs are also offered by individual departments and colleges. For example, the Department of Biological Sciences participates in two outreach programs under the regional leadership of LUMCON, in Cocodrie, LA:

•	Faculties participate in the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Scientist/Teacher Institute at LUMCON, in Cocodrie, LA [7]. In this program, faculty members network with K-12 teachers and serve as mentors and collaborators in curriculum creation.
•	Faculties participate in the University Education Summer Program [8]. The University Education Summer Program caters to in-state and out-of-state students through field courses in unique coastal and marine environments. LUMCOM classes may be accepted for credit at participating colleges and universities.

Nursing and Allied Health
Continuing Education and Faculty Development of the College of Nursing and Allied Health strives to support the University's mission to expand educational opportunities and meet professional development needs for nurses and health professionals in the University's service area [9]. "Assisted by an advisory council representing area nurses and other health professions from various settings, we address health care issues that are relevant to these varied needs. Input from ongoing needs assessment of participants at continuing education activities is also considered when planning activities," according to the program's Web site.

Business
The College of Business has recently partnered with Bank One to offer a Management Series in which executives are brought in to address faculty, students, and the community on various business issues. For example, in fall 2004, Lonnie Stockwell of Postlewait and Neterville made a presentation entitled "Managing in a Changing Workplace." In spring 2005, Peter Ricchiuti of Tulane University spoke on "What the Financial Markets are Telling Us" [10].

Accounting
The Department of Accounting also regularly sponsors seminars geared toward accountants, attorneys, and the business community. A seminar on income tax updates and data security was presented in fall 2004. Seminars such as these may be used to satisfy Continuing Professional Education and Continuing Legal Education credits.

Culinary
According to its mission statement, the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University "is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the rich culinary heritage of Louisiana. The Institute encourages and promotes the understanding of history and diversity through culinary education and special programs to the academic community and the general public, both nationally and internationally" [11]. The Lafcadio Hearn Annual Awards Dinner and the Distinguished Visiting Chef Series are among its many programs.

Family and Consumer Science
Through the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Generations Teaching Generations program at the Intergenerational Center at Nicholls State University "strives to address the needs of individuals and families through day activities for active older adults, preschool education for children, service-learning opportunities for university students, education for paraprofessionals and professionals, and advocacy activities for all involved" [12], according to its mission. "With the help of university faculty and staff and the local community, sessions in arts and crafts, music, storytelling, reading and cooking are offered. Activities focus on health, nutrition, physical activity and wellness concerns."

Fine Arts
Finally, the School of Fine Arts offers programs ranging from musical productions to art exhibits to show case the talents of faculty and students and enrich the community [13]. For example, in 2002 the Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden was officially opened to the public with the dedication of the new Nicholls State University Folk Art Studio, a gift of Kohler Foundation [14]. The mission of the NSU Folk Art Center and Sculpture Garden is to "educate the public on the value of Folk Art and its importance in the world of visual arts. The Center preserves and protects the creative works of Kenny Hill and displays the work of contemporary artists in the 1000 square foot exhibition space. Permanent collections of the Center include paintings, photographs, sculpture and pottery created by local artists. The Center also contains a functioning darkroom and ceramic kiln area. Books, local artwork, and postcard souvenirs are for sale in the Folk Art Center Gift Shop."