Scholastic Regulations

Scholastic regulations embody the academic standards of a university. The following regulations are directed toward upholding the standards of this University, specifically by requiring satisfactory academic progress. Continuation of students who lack the necessary ability, preparation, industry, or maturity is inconsistent with the purposes and responsibilities of the University. (See a dean for updated regulations.) See AGraduate Programs@ for regulations that apply to graduate studies.

Academic Probation and Suspension

If students do not progress academically as well as they need to, the University will impose either probation or suspension. Probation allows students to continue course work under certain restrictions, while suspension usually requires students to sit out at least one semester. The University does not impose either probation or suspension until the student has completed a minimum of 12 hours. Probation and suspension have the following objectives:

1. To indicate that the student's achievement is below the standards required for graduation.
2. To give the student with inadequate grades a chance to seek timely help from instructors, counselors, or other appropriate sources and to prove the student's ability to make reasonable academic progress.
3. To prevent the student who lacks the required motivation or maturity from building a deficiency of quality points that cannot later be overcome.
4. To prevent a student from continuing a program beyond a point at which the successful completion of a curriculum seems highly unlikely.

The following policies apply to all students on academic probation. Both transfer or continuing students are subject to these policies:

1. The student may enroll for no more than 12 hours of credit in a regular semester and 6 hours in a summer term.
2. The student must remain on probation until a minimum of 12 hours are attempted at LSU in Shreveport.
3. The student will continue on probation if, after these 12 hours, the LSU in Shreveport cumulative average is below 2.0 but the most recent semester's average is 2.0 or above.
4. The student will be removed from probation any time after these 12 hours that both the LSU in Shreveport cumulative and most recent semester's averages are 2.0 or above.

Length of Academic Suspension: A first or second time suspension normally remains in effect for either one regular semester or an entire summer. That is, a student suspended at the end of the fall semester normally remains on suspension until the first summer session, a student suspended at the end of the spring semester until the following fall, and a student suspended at the end of a summer session until the following spring.

A normal one-semester suspension occurs under the following circumstances:

1. A student admitted conditionally does not achieve a 2.0 grade point average in the first 12 hours of attendance. The student is not eligible for conditional readmission.
2. A student has completed 12 hours or more on academic probation and has neither raised the cumulative average to 2.0 nor made a 2.0 in the most recently completed semester.

1. A first or second suspension requires the student to sit out one regular semester or summer. However, on the first suspension the student may opt for conditional readmission. A conditional readmission allows the student to take a reduced course load at LSU in Shreveport only of no fewer than 3 hours and no more than 6 hours for a regular semester or summer. Students taking classes must get permission from their dean at least two working days before registration. If the student achieves a 2.0 in this course work, the suspension will be lifted, but the student will continue on probation; if not, the student will be placed on suspension a second time.
2. A third suspension requires the student to sit out one calendar year.

1. A student on academic suspension may not apply any credits earned elsewhere during the period of suspension towards a degree at LSU in Shreveport.
2. A student on academic suspension may register to audit courses in the University, with the approval of the student's dean.
3. A student must reapply for admission after sitting out a period of suspension.

Originality of Work

In all academic areas it is imperative that work be original or that explicit acknowledgment be given for the use of other persons' ideas or language. Students should consult with instructors to learn specific procedures appropriate for documenting the work of others in each field. Breaches of academic honesty can result in disciplinary measures ranging from lowering of a grade to permanent compulsory expulsion from the University. (See AStudent Handbook@ for additional information.)

Academic Bankruptcy Policy

The student who has not been enrolled in a college or university for three consecutive years may elect, only once, to deny all work attempted at all colleges or universities prior to the three-year period. The three-year period need not necessarily precede immediately the exercise of this option. This work will appear on the student's permanent record but will not be used in computing the grade average. The student's record will not be altered to reflect academic bankruptcy until after the student has enrolled in the University.

The student must apply for and declare academic bankruptcy for credit courses in the Office of Admissions and Records at the time of application for admission or readmission to LSU in Shreveport or within one calendar year from the first day of enrollment or re-enrollment. The declaration must be completed prior to the deadline for resigning from the University in the semester or term in which it is made. A decision to declare academic bankruptcy is irreversible. Students should be aware that not all colleges and universities recognize academic bankruptcy policies of another institution, and may consider all courses previously attempted when determining admissibility or establishing a transfer grade point average. LSU in Shreveport will consider all grades, including those for courses bankrupted, in awarding honors.

Class Attendance

Students at LSU in Shreveport are expected to give their scholastic obligations first consideration. Students should not schedule classes that conflict with their employment and should come to class regularly and punctually. An absence, avoidable or unavoidable, does not relieve the student from responsibility for coursework.

1. Reporting of absences by faculty. An instructor will report excessive absences to a student's dean when the absences may cause failure in the course or lower the student's course grade.
2. Consequences of excessive absences. The student's dean will endeavor to determine the reasons for the student's absences. After consulting the instructor, the dean may advise the student to withdraw from the class or to attend class regularly. Continued nonattendance does not constitute a formal withdrawal from a class and will result in a nonrescindable AF@ grade.
3. Absences for authorized events. An authorized event is a University sanctioned activity where the student is representing the University. A student who will miss class for an authorized event must arrange for missed assignments or exams with each instructor. If the instructor has concern about the event or questions make-up work, the student must contact the university official in charge of the event, who will secure written approval from the student's dean. Students are permitted to make up exams or assignments missed for participating in authorized University events. Arrangements or make-up work must be made with the instructor before the event.

Final examinations are required in all courses and are given in accordance with the schedule issued by the Office of Admissions and Records. Any exception to this requirement must be approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

A student absent from a final examination because of illness or other valid reason may take a special examination upon the approval of the student's dean. The responsibility for notifying the dean's office rests with the student.

Grading System
 

Numerical Expression of Letter Grades

For purposes of converting numerical grades on student transcripts from other institutions to LSU in Shreveport letter grades, the following scale is used: A, 93-100; B, 85-92; C, 77-84; D, 65-76; F, failure, below 65. This scale is not to be construed as the grading scale for courses taken at LSU in Shreveport.

Pass/No Credit Option

Details regarding the pass/no credit option are contained within individual college's requirement sections of this catalog. Additional information may be obtained from the office of the student's dean.

In addition to this elective option, certain courses grade all students on a pass/no credit basis. Such courses are identified in the lists of undergraduate and graduate courses in this catalog.

See also the graduate section of this catalog.

Repeated Courses

An undergraduate student may repeat a course for which credit has been previously earned at LSU in Shreveport. The last grade earned determines acceptability of the course for degree credit. If the grade of F is earned when the course is repeated, the prior credit is lost. All grades earned will be used for the computation of the grade point average (cumulative, LSU in Shreveport, and semester) with the following exception: the previous course attempted will be omitted from the overall and LSU in Shreveport averages if both courses were taken at LSU in Shreveport. However, all courses pursued will remain on the academic record. All grades, including those repeated, will be used in the computation of honors for graduation. Except for courses which are designated as Arepeat for credit,@ a course may be counted only once in the total hours for a degree.

If a course number or title changes, the Department Chair and Dean of the College must approve a repeat/delete option.

See the graduate section of this catalog for regulations regarding repeated graduate courses.

Students should be aware that other colleges and universities may not recognize LSU in Shreveport's repeated-course policy in consideration of admission or transfer of credits and may consider all courses previously attempted in making such decisions.

Repeated course policies from other colleges and universities are not recognized by LSU in Shreveport.

Note: The LSU School of Allied Health Professions does not share this policy. Transferring students should consult an Allied Health adviser for details.

Repeatable Courses

Courses may not be repeated for credit unless the catalog course description specifies that the course is repeatable. This is not to be confused with retaking a previously passed course. (See ARepeated Courses.@)

Appeals of Regulations

Information regarding student appeals is published in the Student Handbook. For further information contact the Office of Student Affairs. Graduate student appeals are under the purview of the Graduate Council.

Academic Records

Grade Reports

Reports of final grades are sent to the student at the home address after each semester and summer term. The University does not issue midsemester grade reports.

Honor Lists

Each semester LSU in Shreveport honors full-time students whose semester averages are at least 3.5 (Dean's List) or 3.8 (Chancellor's List).

Transcript of Record

A student may obtain a transcript, provided there are no financial obligations to the University. The transcript request must be signed by the student and submitted along with payment of the transcript fee at least two days prior to issuance of the transcript. Transcripts are not issued for seven working days following the end of a semester or term.