Xavier University of Louisiana has an integrated and comprehensive program designed to allow new students to make the transition from high school to college and provide these students with the tools needed for college success. Developed by the Office of Academic Enhancement, the goals of the Freshman Year Experience are to empower freshmen with the skills and support needed for college success (and Xavier success), enhance their professional development, and understand their role and mission as Xavier students. Xavier students, then, should be exposed to:

• The Mission of XU and the Vision of St. Katharine Drexel
• University Policies and Procedures, and Respective Offices
• Skills for Academic Success
• Academic Support Programs and Other Resources
• Means to Achieve Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Well-Being
• Skills and Behaviors for Professional Success
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Campus Organizations and Co-curricular Activities
• Use of Technology
• What is Expected of a Xavierite

The Freshman Year Experience includes the Summer “Lagniappe” Orientation, the Fall New Student Orientation, the Freshman Seminar courses (FRSM 1000 and FRSM 1100), student monitoring and mentoring, a freshman book reading, and a common theme that can be used in first-year courses.

The freshman book reading for fall 2009 is Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama (ISBN-13: 9781400082773). 

Good News for New Freshmen!  Funding has been obtained to allow the book chosen for the fall 2009 freshman reading - "Dreams from My Father" by Barack Obama - to be distributed to new freshmen free of charge.  These books, along with the freshman academic planners, will be distributed to freshmen in their FRSM 1000 Freshman Seminar classes in the fall at no cost to the students.

New freshmen should go to Freshman Studies FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for answers to questions often posed to us.  Information can also be found on the Office of Admissions  and the Office of Financial Aid webpages. CLICK HERE for information on the 2009 Lagniappe New Student Summer Orientation Weekend.

For more information on the Freshman Year Experience, please contact the Dean of Freshman Studies in the Office of Academic Enhancement at 504-520-5466 or oae@xula.edu.