Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope you had a great semester break with time to relax and recharge for the spring semester.
As we begin a new semester, it is important for us to remain vigilant with health and safety protocols. There is a growing sense of optimism amidst the pandemic as more COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available throughout the state and nation. Louisiana expects nearly 60,000 doses next week, and the list of pharmacies and other vaccination locations continues to expand.
Health and safety protocols that we enacted in the fall semester will continue this spring. Your actions and attitudes have enhanced the safety of our campus and provided a framework for continued success in academics and student activities. We will maintain social distancing, wear masks, use hand sanitizers and take other precautions to do our part in mitigating the spread of the virus.
We will continue with face-to-face, hybrid and on-line academic offerings. Technology in classrooms and our innovation and flexibility in class delivery that was evident in the fall provides assurances that we can transition smoothly and quickly to alternate methods of teaching and learning if necessary.
As an added precaution to the University community, Health Services will offer free rapid COVID testing for students, faculty and staff as needed throughout the spring semester. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to undergo testing. Please book an appointment at https://www.nsula.edu/health or contact Health Services at 318-357-5351. Also, please remember that updates, reporting protocols, frequently asked questions and other valuable information on Living and Learning during COVID-19 can be found on at https://www.nsula.edu/return-to-campus/.
As we announced yesterday, due to the potential for wintery conditions forecasted for late Sunday, Jan. 10 and early Monday, Jan. 11, all classes are cancelled for Monday, Jan. 11. Although conditions may change, a mix of rain and snow is predicted for Sunday night and with falling temperatures roads and bridges could become hazardous. It is with an abundance of caution that the decision was made to cancel the first day of Spring semester classes, as the health and safety of the university family remains a foremost priority.
You will continue to receive academic, financial, health and safety, student services, and other pertinent information directly from different departments. Below, I have provided some general information and links that you might find helpful.
Classes
We have been working diligently to ensure that the start of the Spring 2021 semester occurs in the safest way possible for all students, faculty, and staff of Northwestern State. With that safety in mind and considering all local, state, and federal guidelines/recommendations, we have developed a plan which will allow us to accommodate most student learning preferences while maintaining the safest environment possible in which that learning will occur. Course offerings during the Spring 2021 semester will be offered face-to-face, online and in HyFlex models.
Fee Payment/Spring Bills
Students’ Spring 2021 bills may be accessed at myNSU. For more information, visit our website https://www.nsula.edu/student-accounting-cashiering/. For questions regarding your tuition and fees please contact studentaccounting@nsula.edu.
Financial Aid
The NSU Financial Aid staff are available to assist you. Check your myNSU and be sure you have completed all paperwork. Book vouchers will be available January 5, 2021 through January 20, 2021 and refunds will start being issued the first week of February. For more information go to our website https://www.nsula.edu/financialaid/ or email nsufinaid@nsula.edu
Technology Support
Information about Student technology and student support can be found at https://www.nsula.edu/studenttech/, and technology questions can be directed to the student helpdesk at sos@nsula.edu or 318-357-6696.
Specific information about student accounts, myNSU, Moodle, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Webex, computer labs, documents and web printing can be found on this informative link, https://www.nsula.edu/documentprovider/docs/465/Student%20Technology%20Handout%207.27.2020.pdf.
University Columns and Varnado Hall are open and ready for students to return. University Place will open on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 8:00 a.m.
New students for the Spring semester will move-in on January 9th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Emails were sent to all new students outlining the move-in day process and our COVID-19 protocols.
As a reminder to all residential students, our COVID-19 protocols that were in place for the Fall semester will remain in effect this Spring. Our No Visitation policy, masking up and social distancing are still part of our Spring COVID-19 response plan.
Details about Housing can be found on our Return to Campus page, https://www.nsula.edu/return-to-campus/student-affairs/, and information and resources are located on the campus housing website, https://www.nsula.edu/campushousing/. For questions regarding housing, please contact the housing office at nsuleasing@campushousing.com or 318-214-5400.
If you would like to live on-campus but have not applied to reside on-campus for Spring 2021, please contact our Leasing Staff at 318-214-5414 and they will be glad to assist you with your housing needs.
Food Services
Northwestern State University, in conjunction with SODEXO, our food services provider, offers several dining options including Iberville Dining Hall, Vic’s Cafeteria, Steak ‘n Shake, Chick-fil-A, Café DeMon and the C-Store. Students may use meal plan options or cash at all locations.
For more information about Food Services, to change your meal plan or request for an exemption please visit our Campus Dining webpage, https://nsuladining.sodexomyway.com/. Questions can be directed to our One Card office at onecardoff@nsula.edu.
Campus Bookstore and IncludED
The NSU Campus Store is the official bookstore of Northwestern State University. We have two locations, 912 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA and on the first floor of our College of Nursing and Allied Health Building in Shreveport. You can order, textbooks, electronics, school supplies and NSU gear at the sites or shop online, https://www.bkstr.com/northwesternstateustore. Should you have questions about textbooks, please contact the NSU Campus Store textbook manager at J.Sevilla@Follett.com or 318-238-3630.
Also, last semester NSU expanded a convenient, affordable textbook program that delivers required materials for your courses in digital or print format by the first day of class. This cost-savings program brings access to course materials at a significantly reduced cost (an average of 62%) compared to traditional physical textbooks and course materials. Because of the program’s popularity, we have increased the number of courses utilizing the IncludED option. For more information, instructions on how to access your materials and to see what courses are part of the IncludED program, please visit, https://www.nsula.edu/auxiliary/included/. If you have questions, or need assistance with logging in you can email included@nsula.edu or call the bookstore at 318-238-3630 or University Affairs at 318-357-5701.
ID cards
Students who need an ID can visit the One Card office. We have locations on the Natchitoches, Shreveport, and Leesville Campuses. Student’s will need an official form of photo ID to obtain your first Student ID. Questions regarding Student ID’s can be directed to onecardoff@nsula.edu.
Parking
All students who have a vehicle on campus must register their vehicle and secure a parking permit. Northwestern State Police Parking Permit registration is now open. You need to log into your myNSU account and click the Parking Permit Registration link in the QuickLinks Menu and register the vehicle(s) you plan to utilize on campus.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding in these difficult times and let me know if I may assist you in any way.
Sincerely,
Chris
