The University warns local businesses about fraudulent advertisements and sponsorships. Since November, the businesses were solicited by an out-of-state company for an events calendar for Nicholls. Until Nicholls was contacted by one of the businesses, the University was unaware of the calendar.

“The company was more interested in receiving the funds rather than the actual advertisement. This made the red flag fly up immediately,” Michael Delaune, director of University Relations, said.

“We wanted to make sure the community was aware that the funds were not benefiting Nicholls, nor was it associated with the University,” Delaune said.

He said that any non-university entity authorized to sell advertisements or sponsorships should have a letter from the appropriate university official on Nicholls letterhead.

Anyone with questions about sales or sponsorships should contact Delaune.

“We will gladly verify if indeed there is a relationship to the University,” he said.