The Vermilion, the official student-run newspaper of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, consists of a great team of students from diverse cultures and educational careers, that come together to bring the latest news, athletics, unique opinions and reviews to the University and local community. However, the work of the newspaper would not be possible without the enduring support of certain individuals at the University.
Hence, this Thanksgiving Day, The Vermilion would like to thank and honor the following departments, offices and individuals for their unwavering kindness and help over the years.
The UL Lafayette Police Department (ULPD) is the University’s official police department, which strives daily to serve and protect the UL Lafayette community. Its mission “to provide a safe and secure learning, living, and working environment, while protecting the college’s valuable assets,” continues to be the foundation at which they function and provide for the community.
Sergeant Lance Frederick, public information officer and training coordinator, joined to share more about the department and some services they provide.
The ULPD functions 24 hours each day, annually. Frederick stated that, “Currently, 43 Full-time Police Officers patrol, protect, and provide assistance to the UL Lafayette Campus community, University properties, and the New Iberia Research Center.”
The officers at ULPD bring a wide range of expertise to the department, including experience in defense tactics, firearms, narcotics, homicide, bomb detection, special weapons and tactics and medical fields.
Some officers even hold trainings at UL Lafayette that focus on first aid, CPR/AED, drug and alcohol awareness, self-defense, ATV and golf cart safety and active shooter preparedness, Frederick explained.
Another highlight of the department includes its Student Officer Program, which allows full-time UL Lafayette students to complete their education at the University while completing their law enforcement training curriculum.
There are currently six part-time student officers employed in the Student Officer Program, all from various educational concentrations. They undergo a “15-week Peace Officer Standards and Training curriculum,” Frederick said, at a local law enforcement training academy.
Upon completion, these students will begin their careers in law enforcement at the ULPD as fully certified police officers, while continuing to complete their degrees at the University. Once graduating from UL Lafayette, these officers are able to further their careers in law enforcement as they choose.
The ULPD would not be complete without its unique bomb detection K9. Lieutenant Michael LaSalle “began bomb detection with his K9 partner, Pepper, in 2012,” Frederick stated. Pepper used her impressive sense of smell to carry out bomb detection safety checks at events and local educational facilities when necessary.
In 2022, Pepper retired from her service in law enforcement. Her legacy is carried on by K9 Bella, who joined the department that same year and is now the new bomb detection K9.
The mentioned are only a sparing amount of services and expertise the ULPD provides, and the department utilizes all resources to ensure they always give the best safety and assistance possible to the community.
Each week of production, the newspaper uses the police reports provided by the department to share about the week’s intriguing happenings. The Vermilion sends a huge thank you to the entire ULPD, and a special thanks to Sergeant Frederick, Chief of Police Timothy Hanks and Lieutenant Michael Louviere for always taking the time to assist the newspaper.
The University’s Student Affairs Division, overlooked by Vice President Patricia Cottonham, is home to a variety of services that comprise a large, vital portion of the UL Lafayette culture, community and purpose.
The services include areas of the University that provide safety, health and disability services and overlook fraternities, sororities, student groups and organizations, as well as recreational sports.
Cottonham shared more about the Division, its services and most notable achievement thus far.
“Students decide to come to college because they want to get a degree, they want to have a career, they want to have a good life, they want to be prosperous, so that’s what you come here for, is to be in the classroom,” Cottonham elaborated.
“But there’s so much life outside the classroom…So, in addition to that classroom experience that students have, Student Affairs like to complement that by having an out-of-classroom experience.”
Cottonham explained, “Everything from growing, developing, getting involved, learning how to be a good friend, learning how to problem solve, learning how to take care of your health and wellness,” are areas in which departments of Student Affairs assist with at UL Lafayette.
The Saucier Wellness Center is one such department whose goal is to provide for the physical wellbeing of the students at the University.
The department consists of a physician and a team of nurses who work to address the students’ health concerns and provide or advise the best care possible.
Another department is Recreational Sports at Bourgeois Hall, which helps students to attain and maintain their physical health.
Free to all UL Lafayette students, the recreational center has a variety of facilities, such as a men’s and women’s fitness center, an olympic-size pool, rock climbing walls and much more.
The Counseling and Testing Center, another department of Student Affairs, provides professional counseling services to all students at the University and takes approaches to improve their mental health.
The department provides help to any student experiencing any life circumstance, whether minor or major.
Student Affairs also has an Office of Disability Services that ensures every student has an equal opportunity to attain a quality education, despite having a learning or physical disability.
The Division also includes a daycare, the Child Development Center, for young parents who may need childcare assistance while completing their academic careers at UL Lafayette.
The Student Affairs’ Office of Career Services offers a variety of professional guidance to help students not only succeed in their current educational and occupational careers but also in their future.
These offices and departments are just a fraction of the Student Affairs Division that contribute to the students’ life outside of education.
When asked what the vice president believes Student Affairs’ achievements have been, Cottonham explained, “one of the last things we’ve done that we’ve found so valuable and important is the development of the food pantry and Career Closet.”
The Campus Cupboard is a food pantry located on campus that provides free, non-perishable food options to students who have a temporary food insecurity or to help gain more attainable access to healthier food choices.
The Career Closet, a prominent feature of the Office of Career Services, offers free, marginally used formal clothing to students for interviews or other major career events, taking away the struggles of affording professional attire.
“We want to say we are grateful for our students. In this holiday season, we are hoping that they can enjoy turkey, or chicken or roast, whatever is their food of choice..and stay healthy and safe. Round off the semester, and have a little bit of a break, looking forward to everyone enjoying the holiday season,” Cottonham shared.
The Vermilion would like to thank the Division of Student Affairs, and a great thank you to Vice President Cottonham for always being an encouraging voice to the staff at the newspaper.
Thank you to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Communication, Digital Strategy and Broadcast Services for their continued support and providing the newspaper’s photographers with media passes to cover the latest sports.
The newspaper indeed would not be possible without The Daily Advertiser, who printed the newspaper from 1904 until their closing in Lafayette, The Advocate, who now prints the newspaper, with nearly 96,000 copies distributed over the last two years and the physical plant, who has delivered the newspaper each week since 2019.
Thank you for your enduring support and providing the resources to publish the University’s newspaper.
Thank you Roly Poly Sandwiches in Lafayette, LA for their contribution in inspiring the Where’s Allan Challenge. Your partnership is highly valued.
Thank you to all the interviewees– students, staff, administration and locals–who took the time to speak with The Vermilion.
Your time and words were invaluable assets that helped the community better understand the world around them.
The L’Acadien yearbook, the newspaper’s sister-in-arms for over 100 years, thank you for always helping The Vermilion through thick and thin.
To all the student staff and volunteers of The Vermilion, thank you greatly for your extremely hard work in producing the newspaper. You are the fundamental foundation in its success.
Thank you for always striving to share the truth and your creativity with the community.
Mostly, the newspaper would like to send the greatest thank you of all to the director of Student Publications, Matthew Tarver, who has been the beacon of light to all those a part of The Vermilion, in times of good and bad. Thank you for always being there for the staff and helping them to come in as students and leave as professionals.
The Vermilion would be nothing without you.
From everyone at the newspaper, have a great Thanksgiving and holiday season, UL Lafayette.