Student Policies

Academic Policies

Academic Classification

Academic Warning, Probation and Suspension

Once a student has attempted at least 12 semester hours of coursework, the University monitors student academic progress. Attempted hours are all hours enrolled in which the student receives a grade of A, B, C, D, F, P NR, NC, or X. The University monitors student progress by reviewing grade point averages every term. Since the minimum GPA required for graduation is 2.00, anytime a student’s GPA falls below 2.00 the student is alerted by having one of three statements inserted into the student’s record. 12 hours of coursework must be attempted before a student is subject to any academic action. For example, a student must attempt 12 hours of coursework before a warning can be issued. A student placed on warning must attempt an additional 12 hours before either the warning can be removed, or before the student can be placed on probation or suspension. In the semester in which the student reaches the 12 attempted hours, the term GPA will be assessed to determine if an academic action is warranted. Students can only be placed on probation or suspension provided they are currently on warning. Students returning after sitting out the required probation or suspension period will automatically be placed on warning upon being readmitted into the University.

Warning:

If a student’s GPA in any term is less that 2.00, AND the LSUS cumulative GPA also falls below 2.00, then the student is issued an initial warning for low GPA. As a result, the student will be limited to enrolling in a maximum of 12 hours for the next term. Once the student has attempted 12 hours, if the most recent term GPA is raised to 2.00 but the LSUS cumulative GPA is still below 2.00, the student will remain on warning. The warning will be removed when BOTH the most recent term GPA and the LSUS cumulative GPA are at least 2.00. Once the warning is removed, should the student’s most recent term GPA and LSUS cumulative GPA again fall below 2.00, another warning will be issued. Once a student is placed on warning, after attempting the additional 12 hours, and fails to maintain a 2.00 term GPA, that student will be placed on probation.

Probation (ineligible for one term):

If a student has attempted 12 hours after being placed on warning, and the most recent term GPA is still below 2.00, then the student is placed on probation. As a result, the student will not be permitted to enroll in any courses for one term. If placed on probation at the end of a Fall term, the student cannot enroll in Spring classes; if placed on probation at the end a Spring term, the student cannot enroll in Summer classes; if placed on probation at the end of a Summer term, the student cannot enroll in Fall classes. After sitting out the required one term, the student must reapply for admission into the University. Students returning from probation will be placed on warning for the semester in which they re-enroll. Students will remain on warning until they have attempted an additional 12 hours of coursework. The student will remain on warning until the LSUS cumulative GPA reaches 2.00. Once the LSUS cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 along with the most recent term’s GPA, the warning will be removed. If a student returns from probation and, upon attempting an additional 12 hours, fails to earn a 2.00 term GPA, that student will be placed on probation for a second time.

Suspension (ineligible for one year):

After a second probation, if a student returns on warning and, upon attempting  an additional 12 hours, fails to earn a 2.00 term GPA, that student will be suspended and will not be allowed to enroll in any courses for one calendar year (three full terms: Spring, Summer, and Fall). When returning from suspension, upon attempting an additional 12 hours, if the most recent term GPA is raised to 2.00 but the LSUS cumulative GPA is still below 2.00, the student will remain on warning. The warning will be removed when BOTH the most recent term GPA and the LSUS cumulative GPA are at least 2.00. The student will be suspended a second time when the most recent term GPA is below 2.00. Subsequent suspensions are for a period of one year each.

Appeals:
Students placed on warning, if they feel they have some basis for special consideration, may petition their Dean for permission to enroll in more that the 12-hour maximum.

Students placed on probation for the first time, if they feel they have some basis for special consideration, may petition their Dean for Conditional Readmission, allowing the student to enroll in up to six hours.

Suspensions may be appealed to the Admissions and Standards committee. Students who feel they have some basis for such an appeal should see their dean about initiating the process.

Conditional Readmission

Students who are placed on probation for the first time may petition their academic dean to enroll under Conditional Readmission. Readmission, if approved, will be based on the following conditions:

A student not making at a least a 2.00 during the semester/term for which Conditional Readmission is granted will be placed on probation for a second time with no further opportunity to appeal the probation.

Restrictions:
The following restrictions apply to all students on academic probation or suspension:

Enrollment Status

Full-Time Students:

Undergraduate students enrolled for 12 or more hours of resident credit in a regular term or 6 or more hours of resident credit in a summer session 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. A full-time graduate student is one who is enrolled for 9 or more credits in a regular term or 6 or more in a summer term.  A part-time graduate student is one who is enrolled in fewer than 9 credits in a regular term or fewer than 6 credits in a summer term.  For those who seek financial aid, full-time graduate status is defined as 6 or more hours for summer, and 9 or more hours for fall or spring terms; half-time graduate status is 6-8 hours.

Candidates for graduation may opt to be classified as full-time in the term or summer session 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.

Enrollment Status 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 term (the first seven days of a seven-week summer session). 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.

Refund on Courses:

Dropping and adding courses after the first week of school may result in additional charges. The refund on any course(s) dropped will be calculated according to the official refund policy in effect on the date when the withdrawal is entered on COMPASS: 100% during the first five days of class; 60% for the 6 through 10th day of class; 40% for the 11 through 18th day of class (Prorated for Summer.)

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 (major) change is made by obtaining the approval of the appropriate college dean. If the change involves transfer to another college, the approval of both deans concerned must be obtained.

Resigning from the University:
A 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. Students may resign by dropping all of their courses via COMPASS (compass.lsus.edu).

No record is maintained of courses carried when a student resigns during the first 14 class days of the term (the first 7 days of a seven week summer session). During the next seven weeks (the next 16 class days for a summer session), a W (withdrawal) is assigned for coursework when a student resigns. During the final five weeks (the final 12 class days for a summer session), 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-session are prorated.

If a student has been charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, he or she may not withdraw from any class related to the charge; register for additional classes or for subsequent terms; receive official grade reports; request official copies of his or her academic record or enrollment verification; or graduate until all disciplinary proceedings are completed.

Credits and Term Hours:
The value of each course of instruction and the amount of work required for graduation are stated as term hours.

Registration

Every student will use the web at (compass.lsus.edu) to register for classes regardless of when he or she registers. Registration can be accomplished from ANY computer with Internet access. Currently enrolled students may use any LSUS computer lab. Re-entry students may use the computers in the Noel Memorial Library, the UC cafe' and the Admissions and Records Office (AD 168). To review the registration process, please visit http://www.lsus.edu/admissions/current/registration.asp.