Dillard University News April 27, 2016 Dillard to Conduct Assessment of its School of Nursing; New Admissions to be Suspended for 2017-18 Academic Year Dillard University has announced it will conduct a full internal assessment of its generic baccalaureate and LPN-BSN nursing programs. As a result, the University will suspend admission of new students into the programs for the 2017-2018 academic year. During the suspension, the program will continue to be evaluated and honed with a focus on the skill development and academic needs of its students. The primary focus will be raising the performance of students on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This suspension will not affect the status of those students currently enrolled in the program. Dr. Yolanda W. Page, Vice President for Academic Affairs, stated such an assertive approach is necessary to allow administrators to thoroughly review all aspects of the program, including curriculum, staffing, and support mechanisms. "Dillard University is home to Louisiana's first BSN program," said Dr. Page. "We owe it to our alumni and current students to ensure that the Dillard legacy of excellence in nursing remains intact." While suspending the program was a difficult decision, this action serves as an indicator of the University's commitment to ensuring the program's viability in the future. School of Nursing Chair, Dr. Sharon Hutchinson added: "The School of Nursing has been working with and will continue to work closely with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing in getting the program back to the lofty status it has had historically." Because the suspension will affect students enrolling for Fall 2016, making the announcement at this time allows prospective freshmen and their families the opportunity to make a decision about selecting another major. The baccalaureate nursing program currently has the conditional approval of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-592-4820 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.