Student Related Policies

Code of Student Conduct.  The Student Handbook contains these policies and procedures.  Special note should be taken of the section dealing with academic dishonesty.

Appeals Procedures

Academic and Non-Disciplinary Appeals

The appeals procedure for academic and related matters is guided by two broad principles: first, the preservation of the academic integrity of the University wherein the administration and faculty work to assure equitable, consistent and informed decisions that apply to all students; and, second, the fair treatment of the individual student and the assurance to the student that in his or her individual case, circumstances are properly evaluated. The appeals procedures for students for final grades assigned in courses, and for admissions, readmissions, degree requirements and reevaluation of transfer credits are handled in several different ways, depending upon the nature of the appeal. In all cases, the ultimate appeal on campus is to the Chancellor. Such an appeal should be made only for the most severe of cases and only after the usual processes have been exhausted. Bona fide clerical errors are corrected in a manner other than by the appeals procedure as understood here.

APPEALS OF FINAL GRADES ASSIGNED IN COURSES
RESTRICTIONS: The formal appeal of a final grade must be initiated by the student (see "A" below) within 30 days after the beginning of the next regular semester (i.e., fall or spring exclusive of summer); appeals must be based clearly on alleged prejudice, bad faith, capricious action or similar reasons. A low grade in itself is not the basis of an appeal, nor is the alleged difficulty of a course or test; if an administrative officer (department chair, dean, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs) is the faculty member who assigned the grade which is appealed, that officer shall excuse him- or herself from the appellate process after Step A. That individual's place in the procedure will be taken by a faculty member appointed ad hoc by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or the Chancellor, as appropriate.

1. A student who has a question about a final grade must discuss the matter with the faculty member before initiating an appeal. The faculty The formal appeal process begins when the student presents to the faculty member a completed, signed, and dated Student Appeal Form, available in departmental offices, including copies of all pertinent documentation, requesting the faculty member to reconsider a final grade member must respond in writing within three working days, regardless of the outcome. Clerical errors must be corrected as soon as possible by appropriate action.
2. If the student and faculty member do not resolve the matter, and the student wishes to pursue the appeal, the student will ask the faculty member to forward the Student Appeal Form to the chair of the department in which the course was taught. Within three working days after the faculty member's written response, the student will make a written request to the chair of the department in which the course was taught, for a meeting of the chair, the faculty member, and the student. The request will clearly state the purpose of the meeting, the faculty member's name, and the areas of disagreement. The chair will confer with the student and the faculty member in an effort to reach agreement. If agreement is reached, the statement of agreement will be initialed by all three.
3. If the student wishes to appeal further, he or she should ask that the chair forward all documents to the dean of the college in which the course is offered. Within three working days of the meeting with the chair, the student must submit a written appeal to the dean, summarizing the points of disagreement with the chair. Upon receiving the appeal, the dean must, within three working days, forward copies to the chair and faculty member concerned, who may reply, within three working days, with individually written statements supporting their previous actions. Copies of any written replies must be forwarded to the student. When replies from the chair and faculty member have been received, the dean will meet, within three working days, with the student, faculty member, and chair in an effort to reach agreement.
4. If the agreement is not satisfactory to the student, the faculty member, or the chair, the dean will refer the appeal to an ad hoc committee appointed by the Dean from within the college. The ad hoc committee will be composed of three faculty members (no more than two from the same department) and two students who will be voting members. The dean will designate a chair for the committee but should make no prejudicial statements to the committee or the chair. The committee will hold a hearing with the department chair, the faculty member, and the student. After deliberation, the committee will make its recommendation in writing to the dean. Within 30 calendar days after receiving the student's appeal, the dean must make a written decision, listing the reasons supporting the decision. Copies must be given to all parties, to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and to the student's dean.
5. If any party to the appeal believes that a serious procedural error in the appeal occurred, or that there was an abuse of discretionary authority in reaching the decision, a written petition for review may be filed with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This petition, which must be filed within five working days after receiving the dean's decision, must contain a complete statement of the alleged serious procedural error or examples of abuse of discretionary authority and also must contain reasons for the relief requested. The petition must be accompanied by copies of all documents produced in the appeal. Copies should be sent to all parties to the appeal and to the student's dean. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will decide within ten working days after receiving the petition whether further action should be taken. In reaching this decision, the Vice Chancellor may ask other parties to the appeal to make a written reply to the request for a review; or these parties, on their own, may make a written reply. If the decision is reached that a review is not justified, the student and all other parties, including the student's dean, will be notified. If the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs decides to respond favorably to the petition for review, a formal meeting will be held with all parties. Based on discussions at this meeting, as well as on all written materials furnished, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will reject or affirm the decision already made. Once a decision is reached, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will notify all parties and the student's dean of the decision. If, at any stage in the process, a decision requires change in an official university record, the faculty member must comply with all university regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the change. The decision of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall conclude the matter.

APPEALS FOR ADMISSIONS, CREDITS AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

University regulations and usual operating procedures determine such things as a student's admissibility to the University, readmission after scholastic suspension, probationary status, evaluation of credits earned in other institutions, and completion of degree requirements. It is, for example, the function of the academic department to determine whether a given course at another institution is comparable to a course at LSUS; it is the function of the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled to determine how credits accepted at LSUS from another institution are to be applied towards graduation; it is the function of the proper administrators, by interpreting established policies, to determine in a given instance whether a student is admissible or readmissible to the University. Only when a student believes that he or she has not been properly or fairly treated in one of these matters, or that an error of interpretation has been made, should a student initiate an appeal on one of these matters.

1. Admission, Readmission, and Transfer Credits: Each appeal must be made in writing to the student's academic dean. The appeal should contain new information or explanations of previous information which could result in a new decision. Upon receiving a written appeal, the dean will meet with the student in an effort to explain university regulations. If the student then accepts the interpretation the matter goes no further. If the student wishes to appeal the matter further, the dean sends a copy of the student's appeal and the report of the meeting with the student, an analysis of the circumstances, and a recommendation to the Admissions and Standards Committee. In executive session, the committee will reach a decision on a recommendation and will send that recommendation to the dean for final action, subject to the right of the Chancellor to review the case.
2. Credits and Degree Requirements: If the matter involves credit or other matters necessary for graduation, the case must be appealed to the student's academic dean not later than the semester prior to the semester at the end of which the student desires to graduate. The student cannot be assured that cases arising during the semester of the student's intended commencement will be resolved in time to allow the student to participate in the commencement at the end of the semester. Upon receiving a written appeal, the Vice Chancellor will meet with the student in an effort to explain relevant university regulations. If the student then accepts the interpretation, the matter goes no further. If the student wishes to appeal the matter further, the Vice Chancellor sends a copy of the student's appeal and the report of the meeting with the student, an analysis of the circumstances, and a recommendation to the Admissions and Standards Committee that will meet with the student if the student so desires. In executive session, the committee will reach a decision on a recommendation and will send that recommendation to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for final action, subject to the right of the Chancellor to review the case.

Non-Academic Appeals

The student may appeal actions of a University member that are of a non-academic nature. The student may submit a complaint to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and attempt to resolve the problem at that level. Should the student wish to continue the appeal, a written grievance will be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs who will forward the materials to the Chair of the Student Affairs Committee. The Chair will notify all concerned parties within twenty-four hours that a grievance has been filed and that a written response to the grievance has been filed and must be submitted within seven days. The Chair will schedule a hearing to be held within ten working days from receipt of the written response. The members of the Student Affairs Committee are to be provided with copies of the grievance and the response seventy-two hours prior to the hearing. A minimum of five voting members of the Committee must be present for the hearing to be held. A majority vote is required to render a decision. The Chair votes only in the case of a tie. Both parties will be given an opportunity to present witnesses and introduce relevant evidence. The Committee will recommend a course of action to the appropriate University authority and inform the plaintiff of its action within twenty-four hours. The recommendation of the Committee may be appealed to the Chancellor. The decision of the Chancellor is final, except for appeals procedures to the system level as designated by Louisiana State University Bylaws.

Policy on Students with Disabilities

The University assures students with disabilities equal opportunity to reach the same level of achievement as other students in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual's needs. No qualified student with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.

Faculty members should contact the Director of Counseling and Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, Room 227, Administration Building, 797-5365, for assistance in meeting the needs of disabled students. The University provides interpreters, note taking and photocopying services, and other technical support needed by a student with disabilities.

Students asking faculty about the requirements of a course should not be told that they cannot succeed in the course because of physical limitations related to their disabilities. That determination should be made only after careful consultation with the faculty member's department chair, the student's dean and the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services. The faculty member should contact the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services as soon as he or she is contacted by a student. She will ensure that the student and faculty member receive the support they need. If a course substitution or schedule adjustment is required, she will make the necessary contacts and secure approvals as needed.

Any student with a grievance related to disabled status should be advised to contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with disabilities.

Other Policies

Attendance Regulations. These are outlined in PS 4 01.01 and in the catalog. Procedures for carrying out these regulations are also listed in PS 4 01.01.

Authorized student trips away from the University are covered by these regulations, which each faculty member must be familiar with. Additionally, each is expected to communicate the provisions of these items to each class at the beginning of each semester. Students should know what is expected of them and the penalties resulting from failure to comply.

Academic Bankruptcy. A 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. Details of this procedure may be found in the University Regulations section of the catalog.

Credit by Examination. Students who have already obtained a fundamental knowledge of a subject offered at LSUS may be permitted to take an examination for credit in that course. If they make a satisfactory grade on the examination, they will receive credit in the course. Procedures and regulations appear in the catalog.

Access to and Release of Student Information. Policies and procedures relating to student information ensure each student access to his or her educational records maintained by the University and prohibit the release of personally identifiable information from these records without the student's permission except as specified by law. The information in the educational record may be challenged by the student as inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of privacy, and a written explanation by the student of the contents may be provided for insertion in the record. The officials responsible for student records are:

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs‑‑
  recognized activity records,   
  disciplinary records
Registrar and Admissions Director‑‑
  Scholastic records
Director of Financial Aid--
  Financial Aid Records

A student who has been enrolled on more than one campus of the LSU System must request and pay for copies of any required records from the appropriate office on each campus.

As provided by law, the University will release without the student's permission personally identifiable information from educational records to a specified list of individuals and agencies. In addition, the University will release directory information unless the student requests that any or all such be withheld. Directory information, made available to the public or specified sectors of the public, but not necessarily published in the student directory, includes:

1. Address and telephone number.
2. Date and place of birth.
3. Class schedule.
4. College in which the student is enrolled, major field of study and year classification.
5. Dates of attendance.
6. Grade averages (released only to honorary organizations for use in determining eligibility for membership).
7. Degrees, awards, and honors received.
8. The most recent previous educational institution attended.
9. Participation in officially recognized activities.

Personally identifiable information is released without the student's consent to:

1. Louisiana State University personnel with legitimate educational interest as determined by the University.
2. Other educational institutions in which the student seeks to enroll. The student may upon request obtain a copy of the transferred record.
3. Public officials as specified by law.
4. Agencies and offices administering financial aid; records required in connection with a student's application for or receipt of financial aid.
5. Organizations for use in developing, validating, or administering student aid programs and improving instruction.
6. Accrediting agencies.
7. Parents of students who are dependents for income tax purposes.
8. Appropriate persons in the case of health and safety emergencies.
9. Courts of law in response to court orders or subpoenas. When the University responds to these, a reasonable effort in advance of compliance will be made to notify the student of all such orders or subpoenas.

Authorized agencies receiving student records must not show personally identifiable records to outsiders and must ultimately destroy these records.

To allow any person other than those specified access to a student's educational records, the student must submit a written, dated, and signed waiver to the official responsible for the records. The waiver must specify the records to be released, the reasons for such release and the names of the persons to whom records should be released. The student may have any or all of the directory information withheld by completing the directory exclusion card in the Office of Admissions and Records at the time of registration for each semester or term. Challenges to information in the educational record and the requests for hearings are initiated in writing by the student with the officer responsible for the maintenance of the record.

Outside Speakers. The following regulations govern invitations to outside speakers by recognized student groups. Though it is intended that they be followed explicitly, these regulations are not to serve as a device for censorship of ideas.

1. Speakers are subject to all laws and regulations on the maintenance of peace and order.
2. Speakers shall not advocate the violent overthrow of the constitutional democratic government prevailing in the United States.
3. Student organizations are responsible for informing speakers of the foregoing provisions and for preserving order.
4. Student organizations and their faculty advisers are responsible for assuring that any proposed programs (other than those conducted principally for entertainment) are related to the purposes for which the organizations were formed.
5. Approval to invite off‑campus speakers must be obtained before any formal invitation is issued. Such approval is to be obtained in the following way:
   1. Request for approval of invitations must be submitted to the Chancellor's Office through the faculty adviser of the student organization.
   2. Requests for approval of speakers shall give brief biographical information on each and the topic to be discussed.
   3. Requests for approval shall be submitted at least fifteen days in advance of the proposed program. Request forms are available in the Office of Student Affairs.

Field Trips and Student Travel Insurance.  See section on “Services.”