Students are responsible for knowing the University's regulations and procedures. Before changes appear in the catalog students may learn of them through the student newspaper, a bulletin board, direct mailing, or other appropriate means. Changes become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine. (See also "Baccalaureate Degree: Requirements.") Advisers, department chairs, deans, and others will explain requirements, but each student is responsible for fulfilling them. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception be granted because a student pleads ignorance of the regulation.

For the special rules and regulations pertaining to graduate study, see "Graduate Programs."

Classification

The student is classified according to the year of study at the beginning of each semester or summer term with revisions made as necessary at the end of each semester or summer term. Classification is based upon the number of credits earned as full-time or part-time or as an auditor.

Freshman A student with fewer than 30 semester hours of credit,

Sophomore A student with at least 30 and fewer than 60 semester hours of credit,

Junior A student with at least 60 and fewer than 92 semester hours of credit,

Senior A student with at least 92 semester hours of credit.

Full-Time Students

Undergraduate students enrolled for 12 or more hours of resident credit in a regular semester or 6 or more hours of resident credit in a summer term are considered full-time. For "financial aid recipients" full-time undergraduate status is defined as 12 or more hours in summer, fall or spring terms. For full-time graduate students see "Graduate Programs."

Candidates for graduation may opt to be classified as full-time in the semester or summer term when scheduled to complete degree requirements, even though the number of hours scheduled is less than ordinarily required for the classification. In no case will this option exempt students from a college's residence requirement.

Part-Time Students

Students who do not meet the full-time qualification are classified as part-time. Part-time students are subject to all University rules concerning registration, attendance, scholarship, and conduct. For "financial aid recipients" half-time undergraduate status is defined as 6-11 hours for summer, fall, or spring terms.

Auditors

Students who do not want credit may enroll in courses as auditors. Auditors are not required to complete written or reading assignments or to take examinations. However, they are expected to attend classes and are assigned grades of AU or WAU at the end of the semester, depending on whether they have met the instructor's attendance requirements. Auditors are also required to pay full resident fees and are responsible for confirming their audit status with the Office of Admissions and Records. Audited courses appear on the students' permanent records. Auditing a course does not prevent students from later taking it for credit; however, they may not take departmental credit examinations in courses previously audited.

Changes from audit to credit must be made by the last day to add courses for credit; credit-to-audit changes may be made through the 30th class day. (See "Academic Calendar.")

Official Registration

The appearance of students' names on the class roster supplements prepared by the Office of Admissions and Records is evidence that they are registered in a class. No student may remain in a class unless the instructor has received this evidence.

In unusual circumstances students may register after the final date shown on the academic calendar but only with the approval of their dean.

Concurrent Registration

With the dean's prior written approval, students may receive credit at LSU in Shreveport for work taken concurrently at another college or university, normally when the courses at the other institution are not readily available here.

With appropriate approval, full-time students in good standing may take one course each semester at SUSBO (Southern University/Shreveport-Bossier City) for no additional fees, with appropriate approval. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records.

Identification Cards

Student identification cards are issued at the following rates:

• Original Card--Before the 14th day of a regular semester (the 7th day of a summer term), no charge; after these times, $5.

• Replacement Card--$5

Schedule Changes

Adding Courses

Classes may be added for credit in accordance with dates indicated on the Academic Calendar. In some instances approval may be required to enroll in a class.

Dropping Courses

Any course may be dropped in accordance with the dates indicated on the Academic Calendar. No record is maintained of courses dropped during the first three weeks of the semester (the first one and one-half weeks of an eight-week summer term). During the next seven weeks, a W (withdrawal) is assigned for courses dropped. See the Academic Calendar for the summer split-term schedule. During the final five weeks, no withdrawal is permitted except as authorized by the student's dean in unusual circumstances. In such a case, a W will be assigned for the coursework.

Changing Sections

Section changes may be made utilizing the drop/add process if openings exist in the class section desired. Such changes must be made by the final date for adding courses for credit as indicated on the Academic Calendar. In unusual and extenuating circumstances a student may be permitted to change sections after this date upon approval of the appropriate dean.

Curriculum Changes

A curriculum change is made by obtaining the approval of the appropriate college dean and by filing the completed change form in the Office of Admissions and Records. If the change involves transfer to another college, the approval of both deans concerned must be obtained.

Resigning from the University

With the approval of the dean of a student's college, any student may resign at any time before the final date for resigning (See the Academic Calendar). A grade of F is recorded for a student who leaves the University after this date.

No record is maintained of courses carried when a student resigns during the first 15 class days of the semester (the first 8 days of an eight week summer term). During the next seven weeks (the next 17 class days for a summer term), a W (withdrawal) is assigned for coursework when a student resigns. During the final five weeks (the final 12 class days for a summer term), no resignation is permitted, except as authorized by the student's dean in unusual circumstances. In such cases, a W is assigned for the coursework. Time allowances for the summer split-term are prorated.

A resignation must be initiated in the office of the dean of the student's college and must be completed (or withdrawn) within ten days after it is approved by the dean. Resignation involves clearance through the administrative divisions shown on the resignation form provided by the dean.

Credits and Semester Hours

The value of each course of instruction and the amount of work required for graduation are stated in terms of semester hours.
 

Maximum and Minimum Academic Load

Fall and Spring Semesters:

The minimum full-time load is 12 semester hours. A full time student’s normal schedule ranges between 12 and 19 hours. With the dean’s approval, a student who has maintained an average of 3.0 may register for more than 19 semester hours; however, the maximum load is 21 hours.

A student whose record shows inadequate preparation for college work (placement in one or more Developmental Education courses) may not register for more than 15 hours; 12 hours would be preferable.

A student on scholastic probation may take no more than 12 hours in a semester (6 hours in a summer).

Summer Session:

A student enrolled during the summer session may register for a maximum of 12 semester hours of credit. Six semester hours is the minimum full-time load for Terms I, III. Students enrolled in Term II only may take only 9 hours.

A student on scholastic probation may take no more than 6 hours in a summer.

Credits by Examination

A student with superior ability and preparation or a student who has already obtained a fundamental knowledge of subjects offered at the University and who demonstrates competence through a series of tests may be granted credit for basic and advanced courses and go on to higher levels of learning. These examinations are graded on a pass-no credit basis. Grades of P are entered on the student's record but are not used in computing grade point averages. LSU in Shreveport uses the following examinations for determining credit:

The American College Testing Program

(ACT)

Students receive three hours credit for English 105 if they do the following:

(1) submit a score of 24 on the English test and a total of 51 on the combined English and Composite scores on the Enhanced ACT battery to the Office of Admissions Records, and

(2) achieve an acceptable level of proficiency on a written examination administered by the English Department.

The ACT examination is given five times a year--October, December, February, April, and June--at test centers on college campuses and in high schools. Applications for tests must be received by ACT approximately one month in advance of the test date.

Detailed information and application forms may be obtained from high school counselors from the University's Counseling Center or Office of Admissions and Records, or from the American College Testing Program, P.O. Box 808, Iowa City, Iowa 52243.

College Entrance Examination Board Tests

Application forms and information about the following programs can be secured from the Educational Testing Service, Box 1821, Princeton, New Jersey 08540:

Advanced Placement Program--The student who submits a score of four or five to the Office of Admissions and Records is given credit in the appropriate course(s). A score of three is referred to the appropriate department of the University for a decision regarding credit. These examinations are given at high schools participating in the Advancement Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board.

College Level Examination Program: Subject Examinations or General Examinations--The student who submits scores earned on tests under either of these programs to the Office of Admissions and Records will have the scores referred by that office to the appropriate department of the University for a decision regarding credits.

A student who has been admitted to the University and is in good standing may initiate a departmental examination by obtaining permission of the dean of the student's college, the chair of the department offering the course, and the instructor. After such permission is granted and the non-refundable $10 fee is paid, the Office of Admissions and Records issues an official permit. No one may give a departmental examination until the official permit has been received. No fee is required for an examination taken prior to midpoint of the first semester in which the student is enrolled as a freshman. If an examination is taken while the student is not enrolled in the University, credit shall be granted only after registration for residence study.

Policies and regulations which apply to departmental examinations are as follows:

1. A student may take a departmental examination only once in any course. 
   
   
2. A student may not schedule a departmental examination in a course which was previously audited, withdrawn from (W), or in which an unsatisfactory grade (D, F, or NC) was received (except when the course was involved in a bankruptcy declaration). 
   
   
3. A student may not schedule a departmental examination in a course not taught at LSU in Shreveport. 
   
   
4. A student may not schedule a departmental examination when LSU in Shreveport is not officially in session.
   
   
5. A student who is or was enrolled in a course during the current semester or term and desires to take a departmental examination in that course must take the examination during the first 20 days of classes (the first 10 during a summer term).

Credit for Military Educational Experiences

Credit for formal service-school courses is determined in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Education as published in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. However, the University's policy is to award credit for lower- and upper-level courses. The student desiring credit for such courses must submit official records of completion of the courses to the Office of Admissions and Records after earning 12 semester hours at LSU in Shreveport. The student's dean will determine the extent to which the credit is applicable toward the degree.

Credit is also allowed for USAFI/DANTES correspondence courses. (See "Maximum Use of Credits: Examination, Military Correspondence, Extension.")

Credit is not allowed for tests of the General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program, for USAFI/DANTES self-teaching and group-study courses, or for time spent on military duty.

Credits for Correspondence and Extension

Courses

Undergraduate credit may be earned through correspondence or extension courses offered through the Division of Continuing Education and Independent Study at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge or through accredited extension divisions of other universities. Students who desire to use the credit in meeting degree requirements at LSU in Shreveport must obtain in advance written permission of their dean.

Maximum Use of Credits: Examination, Military, Correspondence, Extension

Credits earned by examination, or by military correspondence, and extension courses cannot be used to reduce the University's minimum residence requirements. The following maximums apply to the use of such credits toward fulfilling degree requirements:

1. No more than 62 credits from a combination of credits by examination, military educational experiences, correspondence courses, and extension courses.

2. Of the 62 credits, no more than 32 credits from a combination of correspondence (including USAFI/DANTES courses), extension courses, and military educational experiences.

3. Of the 62 credits, no more than 18 credits for the General Examinations of College-Level Examination Program.

Address or Name Change

At the time of admission, students must give their proper current mailing address. If their name or address changes, they must immediately notify their Dean and the Office of Admissions and Records and provide appropriate supporting documentation for a name change. Information regarding this documentation may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records. The student is responsible for all communications sent to the address currently on file in the University offices.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

In Accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, post-secondary students enrolled at LSU in Shreveport have the right of access to their official records as described in the Act. The Act further allows the University to release student directory information, unless the student asks that it not be released by completing a form in the Office of Admissions and Records before the 14th day of classes during a regular semester or the seventh day of classes during a summer term.

A list of directory information and the University's Policy Statement regarding the Act may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful sexual discrimination. For the purposes of University policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature. A man as well as a woman may be the victim of sexual harassment, and a woman as well as a man may be the initiator. The victim may be of the same sex as the initiator.

More specifically, sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is an explicit or implicit term or condition of employment or academic success

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for an employment or academic decision that has the purpose or effect of:

a. Unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance

b. Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment

Policy Statement

The University is committed to maintaining a community free from all forms of sexual harassment. No employee, student, applicant for employment, or other person will be subjected to unsolicited and unwelcome sexual conduct, either verbal or physical. Sexual harassment violates University policy as well as state, federal, and local laws. It is neither permitted nor condoned, but specifically prohibited.

It is a violation of this policy for any employee or student at the University to attempt in any way to retaliate against a person who makes a claim of sexual harassment. Any individual who violates the University's policy against sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Such determinations will be made case by case, considering the severity of the offense.

Students who feel that they have been victims of sexual harassment should contact any faculty or staff member, department chair, or dean. Any individual so contacted should immediately notify the Human Resources Office. If this process is not a viable option or does not result in appropriate action, complaints should be addressed to the Vice Chancellor either for Academic Affairs or for Student Affairs.

If sexual harassment is determined to have occurred, correction of the situation will be prompt and without retaliatory measures against the person.

Students who believe they have been denied any service or benefit because of sexual harassment should contact the Title IX Coordinator for Students, located in Student Development and Counseling Center, second floor of the Administration Building (797-5365).

Sex Discrimination

Under the provisions of Part 106 of the regulation implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. LSU in Shreveport is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all students regardless of sex. Students who believe they have been denied any service or benefit because of sex should contact the Title IX Coordinator for Students, located in Student Development and Counseling Center, second floor of the Administration Building (797-5365).

Race Discrimination

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin under any program, activity, or service receiving federal financial assistance. LSU in Shreveport is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all students regardless of race, color, or national origin. Students who believe they have been denied any service or benefit because of race, color, or national origin should contact the Minority Student Services located in Student Development and Counseling Center, second floor of the Administration Building (797-5365).