Lamar University

Students

Lamar University promotes an active and vibrant student life to enrich the University experience of the students. Apart from the academics, the University also pays attention to the involvement of students in the various campus events and activities. The Student Government Association (SGA) provides an official representative organization to act as the voice of the students. Their main function is to investigate students’ problems, issues and take the suitable action.

There are several registered student organizations on the campus. Students can either join an existing organization or create a new one. Some of the student organizations include Black Student Association, Cardinals for Life, College Democrats, Hispanic Student Association, Lamar Baseball Sweethearts, Lamar Health & Environment Education Crops, Lamar Recycling Project Group (LRPG), and Students With Alternative Abilities.

Lamar has a strong Greek presence with more than 15 national fraternities and sororities that are governed by College Panhellenic Council (CPC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC). Some of the Greek fraternities and sororities include Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Phi Delta, Kappa Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha, Kappa Delta Chi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha.

The office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SFSWD) at Lamar offers an array of services specially designed to make sure that qualified and deserving students with disabilities have access to all LU academic activities, resources, programs, and services. Some of the services offered by SFSWD are academic adjustments, assistive technology, physical access, priority registration, and sign language interpreters.

Media and Publications:

The University Press or UP is the student-run newspaper of Lamar. It is the major student-operated business on campus, and is one of the most respected student-newspapers in the nation.

KVLU is the public radio station of Lamar. It is basically member-supported but also receives funding from the University. The station operates on the campus itself.

LUTV is the student-operated television station at Lamar. The programs are broadcast on local cable and they include newscasts, talk shows, and soap operas.

Campus Facilities:

The Mary and John Gray Library is the University library that serves as a landmark for Lamar. It was named after Mary and John Gray, who are considered the ‘First Family’ of Lamar. The library collection includes more than 1.3 million volumes with interlibrary convenience. There is always a library staff available to provide assistance regarding the use of reference materials, documents, unique collections and instructional media.

The Career and Testing Center at Lamar is recognized by the University and local community as the chief resource for meeting the varied and evolving professional needs of the students. The Center offers testing and career services such as resume critique, interview preparation, discover assessment, Myers Briggs assessment, prometric, and Texas success initiative. It also organizes career events such as corporate cardinal invitational, fall job fair, and on-campus job fair.

The Setzer Student Center hosts various social and cultural activities throughout the year. It is the nucleus for on-campus student organizations. The Setzer Center houses lounge areas, Mirabeau’s Café and the Cardinal’s Nest outlets which presents students with a place to mingle and relax. It also has a bookstore that stocks text books, school supplies, and Lamar Cardinals Merchandise.

The Dishman Art Museum at Lamar serves both as a teaching facility and art museum for the University. It was established in 1983. The museum’s exhibits collections that include 19th and 20th century paintings from American and European artists and tribal art from New Guinea, Africa, and Pre-Columbian Mexico. The Dishman offers an opportunity to the students to experience various styles that replicate international trends as well as display their own work. Admission to the museum is kept free.

Housing & Dining

Lamar offers excellent housing facility in Cardinal Village, which is the University’s community of apartment style dormitories. Each room is well furnished and equipped with a private bathroom. The apartments have all the modern amenities such as a mini-refrigerator, microwave, computer desk, telephone outlets, cable television, and connectivity to the LU network. Cardinal Village also features community centers, fitness centers, a swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, on-site laundry facilities, social lounges, meeting rooms, study areas, and parking for the convenience of the students.

The Dining Hall offers a unique a bistro ambience. The entire hall is designed on a food court-style floor plan which presents an array of seating areas from bar-stools to booths. The dining options include grill, salad bar, central bakery, pizza, stir fry, Mexican food, pasta, deli and soup stations. There is something for everyone. The interesting interiors, the latest state-of-the-art equipment and delicious food present a tastebud-pleasing dining experience at the campus. Other campus eateries include Mirabeau’s Café and Cardinal’s Nest, Papa John’s, Outtakes Convenience Store, and the Juice bar.