Postdoc Guide to LSU

After you've received a job offer from LSU, there are several arrangements you'll likely need to make before you arrive. Here are some recommendations and resources to help you start planning your life in Baton Rouge!

Travel and relocation: Visa Information — US Entry & Customs Information — Baton Rouge Airport — Relocation Benefits

Living here and moving around: Neighborhoods & Community — Transportation at LSU — Local & International Groceries — Housing — Roommate Search — Schools & Childcare

Making it official: Obtain a Louisiana Driver’s License — Obtain a Social Security Card

When you arrive at LSU, you'll have several orientation tasks to help you get started in your on-campus activities. These tasks will be arranged by our office, your department, and the Human Resource Management office.

Check-in with the International Faculty & Scholars Office (IFSO) by emailing ifso@lsu.edu to confirm that all your immigration and employment paperwork has been submitted. Contact your department to stay in touch throughout your first few weeks to determine your orientation tasks.

The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) carries out a wide scope of work to connect the world to our campus and to connect our campus to the world. The mission of the OGE is to connect the world to our campus and to connect our campus to the world. We dedicate our resources to establishing LSU as a truly global institution, and we provide services and outreach to support our global community of students, faculty, scholars, and partners. The Office of Global Engagement provides a range of programs and services to deepen global learning and global connections. Our team lives out the Global Engagement Mission every day.

The Postdoctoral Research Office (PRO) seeks to enhance, support, and promote postdoctoral training at LSU and help to prepare postdoctoral scholars for successful research careers. Through the Office of Research and Economic Development it co-sponsors career development talks with the OGE, acts as an advisory board member to the LSU Postdoctoral Society, and provides free affiliate access for all postdoctoral scholars to the National Postdoctoral Association and the Science Careers Individual Development Plan – myIDP.

The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) is the national voice of the United States postdoctoral community and includes over 20,000 postdocs and 240 institutions. It offers opportunities to connect with other postdocs across the country; learn from subject matter experts how to navigate pressing issues, from career exploration to improving health and well-being; grow leadership skills and your networks by participating in the NPA; access to curated resources including a career center and dedicated tools for postdoctoral success.

The LSU Postdoctoral Society is a student-run organization to provide networking and resources for postdoctoral students.

The Office of Research & Economic Development highly recommends all postdoctoral scholars to complete and discuss an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with their faculty mentor on an annual basis, in addition to performance evaluation conducted for all LSU Employees by the LSU Human Resources Management Department. These plans are particularly important for postdoctoral scholars supported by NIH and NSF funds. The IDP plan encourages a mentor-mentee mutual consideration and evaluation of progress achieved during the postdoctoral tenure period and ensures that defined goals and action plans are in place for successful postdoctoral training at LSU. The PRO website provides access to and encourages use of the myIDP developed by ScienceCareers.

IN AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1

For non-emergencies, call the Baton Rouge police at (225) 389-2000 or the LSU Police at (225) 578-3231 (or 8-3231 from any campus phone).

Baton Rouge is a lovely city with friendly residents, but there are areas of the city that have higher rates of crime. The Baton Rouge Police Department has a very comprehensive list of safety tips at http://brgov.com/dept/brpd/safety.htm.

Here are some general tips:

• Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Call Campus Transit for a ride instead.
• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in parking garages, deserted or dimly lit areas, and while withdrawing money from an ATM (automatic teller machine at a bank).
• Be cautious around strangers. Do not pick up people standing alongside the road looking for a ride (hitchhikers).
• Most Americans keep their homes and cars locked at all times; it is advisable that you do, too. Don’t leave belongings visible in your parked car; instead, put them in the trunk.

Public Transportation

Most people in Baton Rouge have cars.  Public transportation is limited but is available as follows:

• The LSU Tiger Trails Transit System provides free bus rides for all LSU faculty, staff, and students, serving on-campus locations, many nearby residential and commercial areas, and even Downtown Baton Rouge. Some routes operate at night as well. For information and routes, go to https://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/tigertrails/.
• LSU Campus Transit offers a free shuttle service every night from 5:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Simply call (225) 578-5555 and a shuttle will come right to you.
• The Capital Area Transit System (CATS) is the regional public transportation service, with fixed bus routes across the entire Metropolitan area. Many CATS routes connect with LSU Tiger Trails routes such that you can get to far away destinations from your local LSU bus stop. For information and routes check out wbrcats.com/.
• The Capitol Park Trolley Service provides free transportation around the heart of Downtown from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Driving a Car

To obtain a driver’s license, you will need to visit one of the nearby locations of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. For detailed information about traffic laws, obtaining a driver’s license, office locations, and more, see https://omv.dps.state.la.us/.

• Always fasten your seat belt while driving and make sure everyone in the car does the same. You will be ticketed if you do not.
• Texting while driving is illegal in the state of Louisiana.
• Speed limits posted on signs along the road are laws, not suggestions! Baton Rouge in particular is strict about enforcing them, and speeding tickets can be expensive.

Annual Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspections

• If you plan to buy a car, Louisiana requires yearly safety and emissions inspections. There are many locations in Baton Rouge where a car can be inspected. Check the sticker on the car you buy to learn when the inspection sticker expires. To find an inspector, just look for the large bright orange sign at the business entrance announcing that they’re an official State of Louisiana vehicle safety and emissions inspector. The Benny’s Carwash on Perkins Road is close to campus and a good place to go for the inspection.
• Before a car can be inspected, you must provide unexpired 1) proof of car insurance, 2) vehicle registration, and 3) your driver’s license. You should have all three items in your car at all times. The inspection costs $18 and if your car passes inspection, a sticker will be placed on the windshield. If the car fails inspection, you will be told what the car needs to pass. Drivers will have 30 days after a failed inspection to make repairs and re-inspect. The sticker will tell you when the car needs to be inspected again the following year by displaying an expiration date. You can visit this website for more details about the inspections: http://www.dmv.org/la-louisiana/smog-check.php#LA-Vehicle-Safety-Inspection.

 If you get pulled over, do not step out of your car. Simply crack the window and wait for the police officer to come to you. He or she will ask for your 1) driver’s license and 2) the registration for your vehicle and 3) proof of insurance, so make sure you always have these things while you are driving!

If you get in a road accident, make sure everyone involved is out of danger and then exchange phone numbers and insurance information with the other driver. Call your insurance company to report the accident; they will tell you who to call to get your car towed to a repair shop. Police will come to the scene and collect your information and a statement about what happened.

Cycling

Most roads in Baton Rouge do not have bike lanes or a bike path. It is likely that if you decide to use your bicycle for transportation, you will be riding on the road along with vehicular traffic. For a list of safety tips and laws, visit http://www.bikebr.org/action/law-and-safety/

Bike Baton Rouge is a local organization which works to make Baton Rouge more bike-friendly. Go to http://www.bikebr.org/ for information, support, events, and maps of easy bicycle trips with which you can explore the city.

Many people ride their bikes along the Mississippi River Levee. The path is 4.5 miles long and has lighting, rest areas, water fountains, parking, and scenic views, making a great place for family recreation. In addition, it extends all the way to the Riverfront Promenade in Downtown Baton Rouge, so it provides a great link between LSU campus and that part of the city. More information and a map of the path can be found at http://www.downtownbatonrouge.org/aroundBike.asp.

U.S. federal regulations require all J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents to have medical insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits for the entire duration of their program:

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness (no aggregate plans)
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000 (without exclusions as per LSU)
• Expenses associated with medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to their home country in the amount of $50,000 (without exclusion as per LSU)
• Also, the insurance policy must be underwritten by an insurance company that is (1) rated: A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above; McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-”; Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above; Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A-” or above; Moody’s Investors Services rating of “A3” or above; or (2) Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country; the health insurance policy may include provisions for coinsurance, under the terms of which you are required to pay up to but no more than 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness.

The LSU System offers all active employees who are employed at 75% of full-time effort (approximately 30 hours/week) or greater and appointed for a duration of at least one semester or 120 days or greater are eligible to enroll themselves and their eligible dependents in health and supplemental benefits.   LSU will pay 75% of the active employee premium and 50% of any covered dependent.  The premiums are eligible for tax sheltering under the Tax-Saver Premiums Only Plan. 

The supplemental benefit plans offered for full-time benefit eligible employees and their dependents, include:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Term Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care
• Accident Protection
• Critical Illness
• Flexible & Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Pet Insurance
• Identity Protection

Visit or call the Office of Human Resource Management for specific details of the university's health insurance and supplemental benefit plans.

Note: Employees eligible for benefits have 30 days from the date of hire (or date of eligibility) to complete their benefit enrollment in Workday. Therefore, as a new employee, attending the New Employee Orientation within two weeks of the start date is recommended. 

Your medical health insurance coverage will be verified during orientation, where we will discuss insurance options with you. 

It’s important to note that, according to federal regulations, willful failure to obtain and maintain medical health insurance coverage that meets the above requirements will result in the termination of your J-1 program and will impact your ability to obtain visas to travel to United States in the future. If you have any questions about health insurance requirements, please reach out.

According to state and federal laws, employees of the LSU System must participate in a mandatory retirement plan.  Employees with an initial appointment of greater than 50 percent full time effort and greater than two years, will be automatically enrolled into one of the mandatory Louisiana State retirement systems.  Your mandatory retirement plan will be dependent upon your position, duration of appointment, visa and percent of effort. 

If you are enrolled in a mandatory Louisiana State retirement plan, you do not pay Social Security tax; however, you are required to pay the Medicare portion of FICA tax (1.45% of your salary).  With few exceptions, the state of Louisiana does not participate in the Social Security program.

Retirement Options for Unclassified “Other Academic” Employees

Unclassified employees (and Faculty members appointed for a duration of two years, or more), are automatically enrolled into Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). You can remain with TRSL (a defined benefit plan) or you have the option to enroll in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), a defined contribution plan through Corebridge, VOYA, or TIAA. Please review the TRSL vs. ORP Brochure to learn more about this decision.

The following forms must be completed and returned to the Office of Human Resource Management, by hand or emailed to benefits@lsu.edu on the first day of employment. These forms are required by the state and do not exclude you from later enrolling in the ORP.

• Form 2SS - TRSL Social Security Statement (required)
• Form 2FRB - TRSL Forfeiture of Retirement Benefits (required)

TRSL participants must  complete the TRSL Beneficiary Designation (form 3). Return the completed form to TRSL directly (see form for return information).

You have 60 days from your hire date to enroll in ORP effective back to your hire date. Enrollment after your first 60 days will result in a delayed effective date and loss of initial employer contributions. You must complete and return the Form 16 - Application for ORP and set up your new ORP account with your chosen provider. Additional information on enrolling with TIAA or Voya can also be found on the TIAA ORP Online Enrollment Flyer and VOYA ORP Online Enrollment Flyer.

Note: LSU employees on a J or F Visa are not eligible to participate in a retirement plan unless “substantial presence” (you have been physically present in the U.S. for 31 days during the current year, and for 183 days in the three years that include the current year and the two preceding years) has been met. As an unclassified employee, you are automatically enrolled into Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). You can remain with TRSL (a defined benefit plan) or you have the option to enroll in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), a defined contribution plan. Under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code, the Substantial Presence Test (SPT) is used to determine “tax residency” of an international person. The test is a mathematical test based on the individual’s visa status and number of days present in the United States. Once an international person meets the Substantial Presence Test, he/she is subject to the same tax laws as a United States citizen. For more information, on the SPT, refer to IRS publication 519 “US Tax Guide for Aliens.” If substantial presence is met, employees on an F visa may choose between Social Security and Louisiana Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan.

If you have any questions about your retirement options, are unsure of your appointment length or classification, or have prior state service that could affect your retirement, please contact benefits@lsu.edu or 225-578-8200.

Additional Employee Benefits

The Benefits and Retirement section of Human Resource Management (HRM) is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive benefits and retirement programs designed to meet the needs of our dedicated employees and retirees. LSU is dedicated to keeping you and your family healthy—physically, emotionally, and financially. This includes insurance and retirement programs offered through the State of Louisiana and other Louisiana State University-specific offerings, such as the LSU First Health Plan, additional retirement options, and voluntary benefit offerings designed and selected with you in mind.

Please see the Benefits and Retirement New Hire Guide or visit the Benefits website for more information.

On-Campus Dining

LSU Dining offers a variety of food options to serve the diverse needs of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The program features two main dining halls, a central student center retail hub, and 11 satellite dining locations. These dining halls, including The 459 and The 5, are all-you-care-to-eat and offer diverse options like soups, salads, pizza, vegetarian choices, and ice cream. Meal plans are available for residents and commuters, with details on pricing and options found on the LSU Dining website.

Main Dining Halls: The 459 and The 5 are state-of-the-art, all-you-care-to-eat dining halls with diverse offerings, including a soup and salad bar, wood-stone pizza oven, vegetarian options, and LSU Dairy Store ice cream. The Student Center offers various dining options, including Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, Tiger Traditions, and Grub to Geaux.

Satellite Dining Platforms: Eleven satellite dining platforms are located throughout campus, offering a variety of food choices.

Meal Plans: Meal plans are typically paid for at the beginning of each semester and can be used at the dining halls and other designated locations. Details about meal options for residents, commuters, and faculty/staff can be found on the LSU Dining website.

LSU Tiger Card

The Tiger Card is your official LSU ID card, and all Tigers are required to have one! The card also serves as an electronic key for residence halls as well as a mechanism for using your TigerCASH funds. In addition, the card allows you to use other services for which you have privileges such as libraries, UREC, athletics events, meal plans, and more!

Mail

The UPS Store at LSU provides a wide range of services. Postal services and package shipments are easy and convenient. They also provide copying and printing services including booklets, display signs, catalogs, brochures and more. Whether it’s a school project, a care package, or a business plan, The UPS Store at LSU can help! They are available to help you plan your project from concept through completion. 

Notary

When it comes to notarizing your business and personal documents, The UPS Store can get the job done. If you're looking for notary public services in Baton Rouge, come to this local The UPS Store center. Stop by today and get notarizing checked off your list.

LSU Campus Map

The LSU Interactive Map can assist in locating designated parking spots according to an employee’s parking pass.   

LSU Food Pantry

The LSU Food Pantry is located on the first floor of the LSU Student Union. It offers free, supplemental groceries to students. The pantry is open to all currently enrolled students without the need to apply or provide financial information. 

Tailored Tiger Professional Clothing Closet

First impressions are important, and what you wear can say a lot about who you are. The Tailored Tiger Professional Clothing Closet provides free professional clothing to LSU students. Whether you're preparing for a job interview, a career fair, or an important presentation, our closet offers a wide range of stylish and professional attire to help you look and feel your best at no cost.

Schedule an appoinment through Handshake and fill out the appointment survey so our staff can best assist you. Directions to the Tailored Tiger will be emailed to you. Arrive at your scheduled appointment time. Browse our selection and try it on. Make your selection of up to four items per semester, and our staff will pack it for you.

Ombudsman

The LSU University Ombuds Office is a confidential, impartial, independent, and informal process for faculty, staff, medical residents, and graduate and undergraduate students to resolve concerns and conflicts. The Ombuds acts as an impartial party offering guidance on navigating university policies and procedures.

University Recreation Center

LSU's UREC has everything you need for recreation and exercise, including an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, machines for cardio and strength training, a climbing gym, courts and fields for group sport, and exercise classes.

The LSU Libraries include the LSU Library and the adjacent Hill Memorial Library. Together, the libraries contain more than 4 million volumes and provide a multitude of resources. The LSU Libraries support the university’s academic mission by fostering teaching, learning, and research. Through its commitment to excellence in collections, services, and spaces, the libraries serve as an indispensable intellectual resource for Louisiana and communities worldwide.

LSU Library is the main library. Centrally located on the quad, it is an active and energetic part of academic life at LSU. Subject librarians are available to students and faculty for personalized research consultations, copyright support, and help navigating our world-class collections and resources. The library facilities include individual and group study areas, a graduate reading room, a math lab, the Shell Tutorial Center, computers, wireless access, and a coffee shop. Additionally, LSU Libraries administers equipment checkouts for students and interlibrary borrowing services. Hundreds of thousands of books and journals are also available online through the library website, including textbooks for many LSU courses. 

The Special Collections division in Hill Memorial Library provides access to historical, cultural, and artistic treasures and research materials in fields ranging from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences, agriculture, aquaculture, the fine arts, and design. Special Collections includes the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections (LLMVC), the Rare Book Collection, and the E.A. McIlhenny Natural History Collection, in addition to more than a dozen smaller specialized collections. The LLMVC contains rare and early imprints pertaining to the exploration and colonization of the region; books on Louisiana subjects and Louisiana authors from all eras; Louisiana newspapers on microfilm; the papers of Louisiana political figures; and more than 5,000 manuscript collections. Special strengths in other collections include natural history, especially ornithology and botany; 18th-century British literature and history; and modern fine printing and book arts. Special Collections has contributed more than 50 collections of primary source materials to the Louisiana Digital Library and more than 200,000 pages of historical Louisiana newspapers to Chronicling America, both of which are freely available to the public.

Louisiana is sometimes called the “Festival Capital of the World” – there are over 400 festivals each year! Listed below are some of our area’s most popular festivals. For a more complete listing, go to www.louisianatravel.com/festivals.

Festivals in Baton Rouge 

Fest For All is Baton Rouge’s premier art and music festival dating back to 1973. It takes place every spring in the downtown city center, along North Boulevard Town Square and at the Shaw Center for the Arts and the Old State Capitol. The lineup includes live music from classical to blues to zydeco – and LSU’s Jazz Ensemble – plus a variety of Louisiana cuisines and over 100 local and national artists. Admission is free and the whole family is invited – there’s a Children’s Village for the kids.

Zoo & Me Mornings are held the morning of the second Tuesday of every month at the Baton Rouge Zoo. Children 3 to 5 years old and a parent/guardian can enjoy art projects, animal encounters, a train ride, and more. Admission is $18 for one child accompanied by one adult and $30 for two children accompanied by one adult. Pre-registration is required; go to www.brzoo.org for more information.

The annual Louisiana Book Festival takes place for just one Saturday in the fall on the grounds of the State Capitol, State Library, and Capitol Park Museum in downtown Baton Rouge. Writers from Louisiana and across the nation are present for panel discussions, workshops, and book signings; there are also food vendors, live music shows, book sales, and a Children’s Pavilion with activities for the kids. The event is free.

Bayou Country Super Fest brings some of the biggest country superstars to the LSU’s own Tiger Stadium every year in late May. Past artists have included Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, and Reba McEntire. There are food tents and giveaways hosted by local radio stations in addition to an Artist Meet and Greet, so it’s also just a great weekend for tailgating in the great LSU tradition.

The Louisiana International Film Festival takes place at the Cinemark in Perkins Rowe over several weekends in May. The offerings spotlight independent American films and French language films in addition to cinema from all around the world. Tickets for individual movie screenings are $10 each, but there are also all-access and VIP passes available. In addition, membership in the Louisiana International Film Society – which starts at a yearly fee of $25 for students – earns you discounts on festival admission as well as entry into screenings and events at other times throughout the year.

At the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair – which runs for two weekends in the fall at Airline Highway Park – there are plenty of carnival rides and festival foods to choose from. Nightly musical performances feature blues, zydeco, gospel, and more, and kids’ entertainment includes a petting zoo as well as clowns and magicians. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 48 inches tall, but you will likely want to purchase individual ride coupons ($1) or a wristband for unlimited rides ($25) as well.

Baton Rouge’s Sundays in the Park is a series of free afternoon concerts held downtown at North Boulevard Town Square in the fall. In 2014, it will last from October 5^th to November 9^th. The family-friendly environment includes face painting and balloon creation for the kids, so bring the whole family out – and pack a picnic basket, too.

The annual Lagniappe Dulcimer Fete is an acoustic folk music festival hosted at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen (just across the Mississippi River). The event features concerts and workshops by a plethora of folk artists from Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and more, in addition to handmade musical instruments for sale. 

ZooLights is held at the Baton Rouge Zoo, beginning late and lasting until the New Year. Visitors can visit the Baton Rouge Zoo to view their favorite zoo animals as well as lights and other holiday displays while enjoying hot chocolate and other treats with the whole family. Admission is free; go to www.brzoo.org for more information.

Kite Fest Louisiane, held at the West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex in Port Allen, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Activities include professional kite flying teams, a children's kite-making workshop, and more; there’s also plenty of Louisiana food and live music. Admission is free and the whole family is invited; learn more at http://www.westbatonrouge.net/main-events.html.

Sugar Fest is held at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen (just across the Mississippi River) every year on the first Sunday in October. Celebrating the importance of sugarcane in the local economy, the festival has been voted one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast. Activities include historical demonstrations, Louisiana food, live music, a cake walk, and more. Admission is free and includes a visit to six historic sugar plantation structures, including slave cabins and a planter's home dating to the 1830’s. You can get more information at http://www.westbatonrouge.net/main-events.html.

Festivals outside Baton Rouge 

The Southern Garden Symposium is held at Afton Villa Gardens in St. Francisville (about 40 minutes away by car) every year in October. Attractions include lectures, demonstrations, and workshops on topics related to gardening and cooking, as well as historical tours, a silent auction, and social events – all held in a historic plantation setting. Pre-registration and payment are required.

Ever winter, the Louisiana Renaissance Festival brings a taste of the medieval to weekends in Hammond (about half an hour away by car). There are games, rides, shows and demonstrations featuring kings, queens, magicians, and knights in shining armor – plus plenty of food and learning. Single-day admission is $18 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, and free for kids under the age of 6. Discounted passes are available.

The Strawberry Festival has been taking place every April since 1972 in Ponchatoula’s beautiful Memorial Park – just under an hour away by car. It’s a three-day outdoor festival featuring plenty of strawberries and all kinds of food; live music from local artists; and a variety of family-friendly entertainment, including a strawberry eating contest. Admission is free. 

Festival International de Louisiane takes place during the last week of April in downtown Lafayette – about an hour away by car. This free, outdoor, five-day festival is a celebration of South Louisiana’s roots in African, Caribbean, French, and Hispanic culture. The offerings include music, food, arts, and crafts from all over the world, including cultural workshops, a world music store, and international cooking demonstrations.

The Wooden Boat Festival has been celebrating of Louisiana’s unique maritime history and culture every year since 1990. The festivities take place over a weekend in October in Madisonville, a quaint town on the Tchefuncte River that’s about an hour away by car. The main attraction is a water parade featuring canoes, pirogues, steamboats and more; there’s plenty of local food, music, and other entertainment, as well as a Children’s Village, and admission includes a visit to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum. Tickets are $10 for adults, half-price for seniors, and free for children 12 and under.

The French Quarter Festival is a three-day celebration of New Orleans culture, including its food, music, and people. It’s the largest free music festival in the South – including jazz, funk, classical, blue, zydeco, and more – and New Orleans’ greatest restaurants offer “The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” to accompany the family-friendly fun. The events take place in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the city’s most famous festivals, a seven-day extravaganza spanning two weekends in April and May. “Jazz Fest” celebrates the diversity of New Orleans’ cultural ancestry, featuring food, music, crafts, and cultural exhibitions sourced all around the world – from Jamaica and Brazil to Gambia and Vietnam – as well classics here in Louisiana. Single-day tickets for adults are available for as low as $50 if you purchase online through January 31^st, while those for children are available for $5 at the door.

The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is a four-day showcasing of some of Louisiana’s best Cajun cooking, from fried alligator to jambalaya, taking place every Labor Day weekend in Morgan City (about 1.5 hours by car). The festivities also include all kinds of live music, from zydeco to country and pop. But at its heart, the festival is a celebration of the vital natural resources in which our state’s cuisine and economy are rooted – seafood and petroleum – and the men and women who work these industries. The festival started in 1937 as a seafood festival featuring a water parade and a “Blessing of the Fleet” that harvested the lifeblood of the area. Admission is free.

Fun at LSU

• Walk or run around the LSU Lakes
• Wake up early to get fresh biscuits at Louie’s
• Visit Mike the Tiger
• Attend Fall Fest on the Parade Ground
• Tailgate before a home football game – especially LSU vs. Alabama!
• Work out at UREC
• Eat a picnic lunch on the parade ground, in the “enchanted forest,” or in the Greek Amphitheatre
• Get an ice cream at LSU Dairy Store
• Visit the LSU Bookstore
• Attend a guest lecture outside your area
• Attend a musical or theatre event on campus
• Check out the opinions at Free Speech Alley in front of the Union
• Keep up with LSU news in the Daily Reveille

 Outdoor areas

• Bluebonnet Swamp
• BREC Parks
• Highland Rd. Park Observatory
• Tunica Hills
• Tiki Tubing
• Mississippi River Levee
• Baton Rouge Zoo
• LSU Arboretum

Performing arts

• LSU Symphony
• LSU Opera
• LSU Theater
• LSU Student Union Theatre
• Baton Rouge Symphony
• Baton Rouge Ballet
• Baton Rouge Little Theatre
• Swine Palace
• Opera Louisiane
• Playmakers
• the Manship Theatre

Museums and Galleries

• LSU Museum of Art
• LSU Student Union Gallery
• LSU Rural Life Museum
• The Glassell Gallery
• The Museum of Natural History
• The Textile and Costume Museum
• The Old State Capitol
• Windrush Gardens and Hilltop Arboretum

Etiquette in the United States is based on values prominent in American culture.

Individualism

Americans are taught to think of themselves as separate individuals more so than as members of an interdependent family, tribe, etc. They think it is important to do things for yourself rather than capitalizing on circumstances such as being born into a rich family. Competition is believed to bring the best out in people, from children trying to be the first in the class to answer the question, to colleagues vying for a promotion. And although forming relationships – including competitive ones – is important to Americans, so is privacy.

• You may find that American colleagues focus not only on group goals and working as a team, but also – and sometimes more so – on their own goals.
• If an American appears to be competing with you, it is likely that they do not mean to be confrontational.
• You may hear an American state that he or she needs some “me” time – that means they want to spend some time alone.
• You may hear the compliment that someone is a “self-made man.”

Action

The general American attitude is that there is no such thing as fate; rather, we control our own destinies. This leads to the general attitude that action is better than inaction – “don’t just stand there, do something!” – and a general refusal to accept that anything (even nature) is outside of our control. Further, Americans generally believe that the ideal person is a “hard worker,” and success is very highly valued in American culture.

• Americans tend to see failure as the result of not working hard enough
• Americans usually see success as a tangible, measurable thing; the results you achieve in your work may seem to be focused on more so than the work that went into them.
• Americans tend to see change as a good thing, equating it with “progress” even though others may see its effects as detrimental. Values such as tradition, continuity, heritage, stability, etc. may not be as important to Americans as they are to you.

Equality

One of our most important values, this idea is found in the Declaration of Independence: “all [people] are created equal.” Although Americans certainly make distinctions among themselves based on age, societal position, gender, wealth, etc., all men and women are equal under the law, no matter their skin color, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

• It is standard to say “thank you” to waiters, store clerks, etc., for their service, although they are simply performing their job duties rather than doing you a favor.
• Displays of deference, such as bowing, may make Americans feel uncomfortable.

Informality

Because of the lack of a rigid societal hierarchy in daily life, Americans’ relationships with one another – not only among family, but also with strangers in public places – are usually friendly and casual rather than formal. 

• You can expect waiters, store clerks, etc. to introduce themselves using their given names and treat you in a casual, not extremely deferential, manner.
• You may also find that Americans dress very casually, i.e., in tank tops, blue jeans, and sandals while not at work, or simple slacks and a shirt at work. They also do not pay much attention to keeping perfect posture, including when they address each other; if an American colleague leans against a wall during conversation, realize that it probably isn’t intended as a signal that he or she is tired of the interaction.
• Americans will say “hi” to just about everyone, and often will also ask “how are you doing?” This usually does not actually signal desire to hear about all the details of your day, but rather it is a sign of friendliness and good manners. The standard response is usually something along the lines of “Great, thanks, how are you?”

Time

Americans see time as a finite resource (“time is money”) that should not be wasted on tasks that are not seen as having visible benefits. In order to capitalize on the time they have, Americans place a high value on organizational skills and efficiency. They are almost always punctual; this is seen as being considerate of other peoples’ time.

• If you say you are having a party at 8 pm, expect guests to start arriving at 8 pm or maybe even slightly earlier!
• It is probably best to arrive a few minutes early to formal functions, such as job interviews and work meetings, to ensure that you will not be late.
• Even for informal events, it is best to arrive on time, although this varies according to the type of event, your relationship with the host, etc. If you are going to be late, just let your host know ahead of time and apologize.

Directness

Partly because of the value they place on time, Americans generally believe that people should state their thoughts and desires outright.

Also, Americans are not taught to hide their emotions, and their body language often conveys a lot about what they are feeling.

• In general, Americans will expect you to speak openly about your concerns and not hesitate to broach the subject. This is actually considered more polite than remaining silent, as one is expected to eventually “blow up” if they hold in what is bothering them.
• If you are criticized by an American, realize that he or she may intend their comment to be “constructive” – that is, intended to be helpful rather than offensive.

Louisiana Weather

Throughout the year, Louisiana is known not only for its high amount of rainfall but also for its extremely variable weather. Afternoon temperatures can be upwards of 20°F (7ºC) higher than morning temperatures! It is advisable to wear layers so that you can easily adjust to unexpected weather.

Louisiana springs and autumns are breezy and mild, but they are short – usually occurring around March/April and October/November, respectively – so they are a prized time of the year in our state!

Louisiana summers are hot and extremely humid, with temperatures often topping 90°F (32ºC) and sometimes even 100°F (37ºC), and you can expect hot weather to last from around April to October. It is important to avoid overheating and dehydration. It is also advisable to keep an umbrella handy, as during the summer you can expect a sudden afternoon thunderstorm on most days.

Louisiana winters are quite mild. They are also very short, with average daily high temperatures below 70°F (21ºC) usually lasting only from around November to February. However, daily low temperatures can still get cold – sometimes below freezing – so it is still important to have some cold-weather clothing. And as with the rest of the year, rain is common – we have even been known to get an inch or two of snow every few years!

Hurricanes

Tropical storms and hurricanes (their stronger counterparts with faster wind speeds) develop over tropical waters and sometimes travel across the Gulf of Mexico to make landfall on the Gulf Coast. It is extremely important to be educated about tropical storms and hurricanes and to be prepared in the event that such weather impacts our area.

Hurricane “season” lasts from June 1^st to November 30^th each year; this is the time of year during which these kinds of storms are most likely, NOT the only time of year during which they can occur. Most Louisianans keep disaster supplies on hand in their home throughout the year; water, non-perishable food, batteries, candles, and such supplies are useful not only in the event of a hurricane but also for the occasional normal thunderstorm that causes power outages.

Keep an ear and an eye out for storm warnings on local television and radio channels, as well as weather websites on the internet. A tropical storm/hurricane “watch” means that tropical storm/hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area for the specified period of time, whereas a “warning” means these conditions are expected to occur.