LSUA is an open admission institution that serves a mostly-rural area. Many LSUA students are economically disadvantaged. According to Census 2000 data, personal per capita income in Rapides Parish was $26,827, but much lower in surrounding parishes ($17,114-$23,168). Roughly 44% of the Fall 2005 students were receiving Federal PELL grants. There is little tradition of pursuit of higher education in the area. Only 12.4% of the population age 25 and older in LSUA’s service area had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. This compares to a state average of 18.7% and a national average of 24.4%. In Fall 2004, 75% of LSUA’s student body was female. Slightly over half of the students were full-time students. Seventy-six percent of the Fall 2004 student body was white, 18.5% was African American and 5.6% were other or unknown races. Approximately 43.7% of LSUA’s students in Fall 2004 were age 25 or older. The average ACT Composite score for Fall 2004 first-time freshmen was 19.1. Eighty-nine percent of incoming freshmen at LSUA were required to take at least one remedial course. All new freshmen over the age of 25 required at least one remedial course [3] .

The typical LSUA student is under-prepared for college. Therefore, the provision of appropriate support services is essential to students’ academic success. Provision of student support services is discussed in detail under Core Requirement 2.9 (library and learning resources) and Core Requirement 2.10 (student support services).