In 1959, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the establishment of LSUA as a two-year commuter college under the governance of the LSU Board of Supervisors. LSUA registered its first students in September of 1960. The first degree program, an Associate in Nursing degree, was initiated in the Division of Nursing in 1964.
The additional academic divisions of Liberal Arts, Business Administration, and Sciences were created in 1967. In 1974, LSUA was accredited by the Commission on 吃瓜直播s of the Southern Association of 吃瓜直播s and Schools (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. This accreditation was reaffirmed in 1984, 1994, and 2004.
Only one associate degree was available at LSUA from 1964 to March 1986, when the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees were approved. Over the next 15 years, several associate degree and certificate programs were added that the university continues to offer including:
From 1976 through Spring 2003, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical 吃瓜直播 offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior 吃瓜直播. Initially, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of General Studies were offered. The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was added in 1982-83.
鈥淐onsumer spending in January exceeded year ago levels in central Louisiana, indicating a good start for the year,鈥� said Dr. Randall Dupont, Dean of the LSUA 吃瓜直播 of Business and creator of the monthly dashboard.
All central Louisiana parishes reported an increase in sales tax revenue in January over last year, with increases ranging from 6% to 28%. Sales tax revenue is used as a proxy for consumer spending.
鈥淰accinations are proceeding as expected,鈥� said Dupont, 鈥渁nd increased vaccinations in CENLA is good for business. It鈥檚 allowing business operations to return to normal, while still complying with COVID-19 guidelines.鈥�
In LDH Region 6, which covers central Louisiana, 9% of the population has been vaccinated, with Rapides and Natchitoches having the highest percentage of completed vaccinations at 11%.
Initial unemployment claims in CENLA averaged 414 in February, down 58% from January. Continued claims were down 22%. The state unemployment rate in January fell 0.3% from 7.9% to 7.6%, while unemployment in the Alexandria metro area rose from 5.0% to 5.2%. Nevertheless, Alexandria had the lowest unemployment rate among the state鈥檚 major metro areas for the ninth consecutive month.
The housing market continues to show relative strength in the Alexandria MSA. Compared to February 2020, active listings are down 60% and pending listings are up 316%. The median listing price of a home is up 12% over this time last year, while the average price is up 25%. The median listing price peaked in October at $231,950 and is currently 11% off the peak. 鈥淗ousing indicators continue to point to a strong real estate market in the months to come,鈥� said Dupont.
One area of concern for the local economy is the decrease in occupational licenses in Rapides. Occupational license revenue in January and February was down 22% parish wide, indicating a decline in the number of businesses operating. However, unincorporated areas of the parish fared better, being down only 13%. 鈥淥ccupational licenses are a measure of business growth,鈥� said Dupont. 鈥淥n a positive note, occupational licenses in Ball are up 31% compared to last year.鈥�
A new data point included in the CENLA Economic Dashboard this year is the number of new businesses established in Rapides. In February, 32 new businesses were opened, the same as last February. 2020 saw 402 new businesses established in Rapides, a decrease of 6% from 2019.
In a recent study of business closures in Rapides, more than half of new businesses do not make it five years. Of the 294 businesses that closed between 2018 and 2020, 31% closed in less than two years, 40% in less than three years, and 52% in less than five years. 鈥淣ew businesses reach a critical juncture at the 3- to 5-year mark,鈥� said Dupont. 鈥淥ur goal with LSUA鈥檚 Launchpad is to help startups build a sustainable business model that will carry them well beyond this juncture.鈥�
The City of Alexandria and the LSUA 吃瓜直播 of Business have teamed up to offer the Launchpad program, LSUA鈥檚 business startup initiative. The business training program, which is now in its third week, runs through May 5. The program is designed to help startups develop an effective business plan and create a sustainable business model. The program is being taught by LSUA business faculty and uses Kauffman Foundation鈥檚 FastTrac庐 content. Topics covered include market research, business model design, pricing strategy, legal strategy, distribution and sales, financial management and building the organization.
The CENLA Economic Dashboard is a service of the LSUA 吃瓜直播 of Business to help business and community leaders monitor the economic pulse of central Louisiana.
To view the March 2021 CENLA Economic Dashboard, click .
On June 5, 2001, following approval by the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Legislature passed legislation (Senate Bill 853) allowing Louisiana State University at Alexandria to offer baccalaureate degrees. In December 2002, SACSCOC approved a substantive change request from LSUA, thereby accrediting the university to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees.
In Fall 2003, LSUA was reorganized into colleges and departments rather than divisions. The 吃瓜直播 of Arts and Sciences is comprised of the departments of Arts, English and Humanities; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Biological Sciences; and Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The 吃瓜直播 of Professional Studies is comprised of the departments of Allied Health, Business Administration, Education, and Nursing.
LSUA began offering four baccalaureate degrees in Fall 2003: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Liberal Studies. Because there were students at LSUA who had completed upper-level course work through LSU Senior 吃瓜直播, LSUA produced its first bachelor's degree graduates in December 2003.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology, approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in March 2005, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, approved by the LSU Board in June 2006, are now offered. In 2008 the university began offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Communication Studies, and History, along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Nursing.
In addition to the Department of Education offering courses that lead to an Associate of Arts in The Care and Development of Young Children and the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, courses are offered for alternative certification in the following areas: Elementary Education, Grades 1-5; Health and Physical Education, Grades K-12; and Secondary Education, Grades 6-12 for the areas of biology, English, history, and mathematics. Students who major in biology, English, history, or mathematics may declare Secondary Education as a minor in these areas of study, earning certification to teach that subject in Grades 6-12. Add-on certifications are available for Early Childhood Education (PK-3) and Special Education in area of existing certification(s).
The Oaks, the university’s first student housing complex, opened in the fall of 2007. The complex, which includes four apartment buildings and a community center.
LSUA hired its first athletic director in January 2007 and began competing in NAIA men’s baseball and women’s fast-pitch softball in Spring 2008. In January 2010, LSUA’s new on-campus baseball-softball complex was unveiled in an opening day dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The complex is located on the north side of campus adjacent to the Fitness Center and features seats transferred from the famed Alex Box Stadium on the Baton Rouge campus.
LSUA added five sports in 2014 including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams along with women’s tennis. LSUA joined the Red River Athletic Conference in 2014. The RRAC includes Bacone 吃瓜直播 (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Texas 吃瓜直播, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley 吃瓜直播 (Texas) in addition to LSUA.
The university’s newest building, Mulder Hall, was opened in August 2011. The building is a 70,000 square-foot facility that provides 18 classrooms, 4 academic department office suites, 52 faculty offices, 2 conference rooms, a computer lab and a writing lab, a painting and drawing studio, a ceramics studio, a photography suite, and a black box theater that seats 175 people.