Student Engagement


The Division of Student Engagement provides services and programs to enhance and enrich the educational opportunities of students and enrich student life on campus.

The division includes the Setzer Student Center, student clubs and organizations, community service, student activities (Lamar Alive), leadership development, Greek life, multicultural programming, residence life, recreational sports, and the Student Government Association. The Office of Student Engagement is in room 115 Wimberly.

Student engagement provides leadership in the formulation and administration of policies and procedures related to student life and to the rights and responsibilities that accompany student citizenship in the university community. The Student Conduct Code as well as other important information pertaining to student life is included in the Student Handbook. Significant sections in the handbook and other university publications clearly describe 17³Ô¹Ï’s policies regarding such subjects as student absences, AIDS, non-discrimination, drug and tobacco use, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, the Buckley Amendment), residency, hazing, sexual harassment, student’s right-to-know, and campus security. It is the student’s responsibility to know university policies and procedures that are contained in the Student Handbook and to comply with them. View the Student Handbook online.

1. Living at 17³Ô¹Ï

1. Housing

The Department of Residence Life is committed to providing a living environment that is supportive to the academic mission of the university. We accomplish this by stimulating the learning process and integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences through activities and knowledge essential to students' preparation for a life of leadership, intellectual engagement, citizenship, and civility.

2. University Residency Policy

All undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours with fewer than 24 earned semester credit hours are required to reside in a university-operated residence hall.

Exemptions to the university residency policy may be granted for the following reasons:

  1. Student will reside with a parent or guardian.
  2. Student is 21 years of age by the first class day of semester.
  3. Student is married or has dependent children.
  4. Student has a medical exemption signed by his/her doctor.

Students wishing to be released from the university residency policy must fill out an Off-Campus Residency Request Form with the Department of Residence Life. Documentation verifying exemptions may be required by the housing office. Questions regarding the university residency policy may be directed to the Department of Residence Life at (409) 880-8550 or housing@lamar.edu.

3. Application for Housing

17³Ô¹Ï offers attractive, affordable, safe housing opportunities for enrolled students.  Students in need of housing, who are accepted for admission to the university, may visit the Department of Residence Life or submit an email to housing@lamar.edu. In the subject line, include all semesters that housing is needed, and in the body of your message please include the following:

  1. Student’s first and last name
  2. Student’s 17³Ô¹Ï identification number
  3. Student’s telephone number (home and alternate number)

Once a student's acceptance to the university is verified and the information is processed, a username and password will be provided in order to complete the next steps in the housing process (please allow 2-3 business days for receipt of information).  Students will be able to reserve a room on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Parking

To park a vehicle on campus, all faculty, staff, and students are required to purchase a current parking permit and display it properly. A copy of the parking and traffic regulations is issued to everyone who purchases a permit. Strict observance of traffic and parking laws and regulations is necessary for the safe, orderly flow of vehicles in the campus area. Parking and traffic regulations are in effect 24 hours a day, all year.

2. Student Guidance and Health

1. Center for Career and Professional Development

The Department of Career and Testing Services assists students and alumni with all facets of career preparation, beginning with university entrance and special placement exams, major course of study selection, career choice and planning, part-time employment, resume preparation, interviewing preparation, goal planning, and full-time employment after graduation. Students have access to on-line job searching and computerized guidance assessment programs.

LamarJobs Student Employment Center

The Student Employment Center, a service located in the Career and Testing Center, assists students in locating off and on-campus student assistant and student assistant/work-study, teacher assistant, and graduate assistant positions. All services are free to the students. Additional information is available at their website, by calling (409) 880-7473, or by emailing studentemploymentcenter@lamar.edu.

Career Services

Professional development seminars are provided by career services to assist students with necessary career skills. Topics include, but are not limited to, resume writing, interviewing skills, appropriate business dress, and expectations and requirements for specific career paths. In addition, the Passport through Lamar program allows students to track and record attendance to on-campus and off-campus professional development activities. All workshops and programs offered through our office are free to attend and open to all currently enrolled students and alumni of 17³Ô¹Ï.

Career Services also assists students by providing career consultations with an assigned Career Consultant according to a student's area of study. Consultations can be provided in various areas including but not limited to choosing a major course of study, career and goal planning, and graduate and professional school admissions. We also offer and review career assessments such as the Kuder Journey and other computerized assessments.

Job fairs are organized annually for the benefit of 17³Ô¹Ï students. Several career fairs are held each semester. These opportunities allow students to make initial contact with recruiting firms and school districts that may result in interviews on the Lamar campus or at the recruiter’s headquarters during the spring and fall. Each spring, 17³Ô¹Ï also participates in the Texas Job Fair. Employers recruiting with Career and Testing Services generally plan to fill permanent entry-level jobs, summer jobs, co-ops, and internships. Additional information is available at careerservices.lamar.edu, by calling (409) 880-8878 or by emailing careerandtestingcenter@lamar.edu.

Testing Services

17³Ô¹Ï Career and Testing Center is a national testing site for Prometric and Pearson Vue. The center offers a full range of testing services for aptitude and achievement and coordinates testing required by the university. Among the tests administered are ACCUPLACER, SAT, ACT, THEA, CLEP, GMAT, GRE, and TExES.

  • SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)—used for undergraduate admission
  • ACT (American College Testing)—used for undergraduate admission
  • ACCUPLACER—a college placement test required of all students for advisement and registration (unless exempted)
  • TSI - a college placement test required of all students for advisement and registration (unless exempted)*
  • CLEP (College Level Examination Program)—used to receive credit by examination. See detailed description of CLEP exams approved for 17³Ô¹Ï credit in this catalog
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General and GRE Subject Exams—used for graduate school admission
  • HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.)—used for admission to undergraduate nursing programs
  • LSAT (Law School Aptitude Test)—used for law school admission
  • MCAT(Medical College Admissions Test)—used for medical school admission
  • MAT (Miller Analogies Test)—used for admissions to graduate nursing program
  • GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)—used for business graduate school admission
  • TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards)—used for education assessment
  • DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)—used for credit by examination purposes
  • Correspondence Exams

*Prior to taking the TSI assessment, you are REQUIRED to complete the PRE-ASSESSMENT Activity which includes ENGAGE and sample questions found at . If you have questions or concerns about ENGAGE or completing the sample questions, please contact us at (409) 880-8878. Examinees will NOT be allowed to test if the Pre-Assessment Activity has not been completed.

Testing Services offers secure online registration for the following exams: CLEP, Correspondence, DSST, HESI, MAT, TSI, and Residual ACT. There is an additional $3 fee from RegisterBlast, the online payment processing provider. VISA, MasterCard, or electronic checking is accepted at time of exam registration testing.lamar.edu. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED FOR CANCELLATIONS. Scheduling errors are the clients' liability. A 24-hour notice must be received to reschedule appointment in order to avoid loss of exam fees.

For more information about the Department of Career and Testing Services, see the website or call client services at (409) 880-8878.

2. Student Health and Insurance

1. Health Center

The Student Health Center offers basic medical and counseling services to currently enrolled students. A nurse practitioner and consultant physician are available for general medicine services. Female nurse practitioners provide gynecological services. More serious injuries are referred to local emergency rooms or family physician offices. Students with chronic conditions are encouraged to continue to see their primary care physician for maintenance and medication adjustments. Health Center services are available by appointment only Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled at the Health Center reception window or over the phone at (409) 880-8466. A Student Health Center fee charged to the student upon registration each semester ensures eligibility for Health Center services during that semester. In addition, a $5.00 office co-pay will be charged for each visit. Any student covered by medical insurance (except Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIPS) may have health center charges filed on their insurance plan. A copy of the insurance card and student ID is required at the time of the first visit. Any charges not paid by the insurance company will be the responsibility of the student. Students who are not covered by insurance will have all charges billed to their student account. These fees should be paid at the cashier’s office. The in-house pharmacy offers limited prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medicines and supplies. Lab fees, procedures, and medication prices are minimal. Any questions regarding fees or insurance claims can be answered by the medical billing specialist in the Health Center.

Health education programs are offered to organizations, residence halls, campus organizations, or individuals on a variety of health-related issues pertinent to the university population. Anyone interested in hosting a program can contact the Student Health Center to set up times, dates, and topics.

The health center is also staffed with licensed professional counselors who offer short-term psychological counseling, individual and group therapy, and mental health workshops. Individual and group therapy sessions may also be filed on the student’s insurance plan. A $5.00 office co-pay is also applied for each session. After hours, on weekends, and when the university is not in session, health care becomes the individual student’s responsibility. Any expenses incurred for ambulance service or off-campus medical needs are also the responsibility of the student. Students are encouraged to maintain some form of health insurance to cover these expenses, as they can be quite costly. Detailed information regarding health center services is available at .

2. Health Insurance

Health and accident insurance is required of all international students, residence hall occupants, and participants in intramural sports. Any registered student taking six or more credit hours (three hours during the summer sessions) is eligible for enrollment in an affordable insurance plan offered by an independent insurance company, Academic Health Plans at .  Most services provided at the Health Center are covered by Academic Health Plans at 100 percent.  This supplemental policy covers a portion of the costs for inpatient and outpatient medical services not available at the health center. Except in emergency situations, students are required to seek treatment at the health center first, where off-campus referrals will be issued if deemed necessary. Students enrolled in the plan may also insure their dependents; however, non-student dependents are not eligible for health center services.

Premiums are due at the time of enrollment and are available per semester or on an annual basis. Detailed information and enrollment forms are available on Academic Health Plan website, through the Student Health Center, the Office of Student Engagement, Residence Life, and L.I.T. Student Services, or on the health center web site.

3. Student Activities and Recreation

1. Setzer Student Center

The Setzer Student Center (SSC), named for Dr. Richard W. Setzer, university president from 1967 to 1969, is the center of student activities on 17³Ô¹Ï’s campus. The director of Student Organization Services, along with the director of Student Activities and Community Service, develop and implement co-curricular programs that offer students a well-balanced campus life.

Housed in the SSC are various facilities to meet the needs of students. Mirabeau’s and Cardinal Nest provide varied food service. Other SSC services include the University Bookstore, Student Organization Services, Student Government Association, Setzer Student Center Reservations, Lamar Alive!, and administrative offices. More information about the student center and its services is available at (409) 880-8722.

2. Student Organizations

More than 185 student organizations are currently active at Lamar. Students join and participate in many different types of groups: professional/departmental, religious, mutual interest, service, honor, spirit, sports, or social. Participation in well-developed co-curricular activities enhances the educational experience. Students are invited and encouraged to join the organizations of their choice and participate in developmental, leadership, and philanthropic programs. Students may obtain additional information by contacting the Office of Student Organization Services at (409) 880-8739.

3. Student Activities (Lamar Alive!)

The Lamar Alive! student programming board is responsible for providing the campus with a diverse schedule of programs and extracurricular activities. The programming board of Lamar Alive! consists of student directors, along with committees, who develop social, educational, and cultural opportunities for 17³Ô¹Ï and Lamar Institute of Technology students. Dedicated volunteers and committee members plan for traditional events such as Homecoming, Mardi Gras, AIDS awareness, Diversity Week, lectures, Cardinal Comedy Corner, Poetry Night, and other special events. Membership is open to all students who meet the university’s extracurricular activity policy standards as outlined in the Student Handbook. For more information, contact the Student Activities Office at (409) 880-2395.

4. Community Service

Community service is an integral part of life at 17³Ô¹Ï. The principles of service, ethics, leadership, and commitment guide our academic offerings, aided in part by a campus-wide community service initiative. The program advocates meaningful service opportunities and personal growth. Programs housed under community service include Santa’s Unlimited, Cardinals C.A.R.E., Operation R.E.D., and annual events such as the Food Drive in the fall semester and Alternative Spring Break Immersion in the spring semester. For more information, contact the Community Service Office at (409) 880-7284.

5. Leadership Development

Leadership development programming serves as a resource for student leadership development and partners with others campus efforts to train, educate, and develop students for purposeful leadership. Leadership programming offers enrolled undergraduate and graduate students a variety of opportunities to advance their personal and professional skills, increase self-confidence and self-awareness, and network with other outstanding students. There is a wide range of programming offered to meet the leadership development needs of 17³Ô¹Ï. Programming includes fall and spring retreats/conferences, leadership workshops, and resources related to opportunities on campus. Contact the director for Student Development and Leadership, (409) 880-8085, for more information.

6. Multicultural Programming

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