Academic Regulations

Enrollment At LSU

Registration

Students must complete registration, including payment of fees as stipulated in the “Undergraduate Fees and Expenses ” section of this catalog, to attend class. The Office of the University Registrar will provide evidence of registration to instructors. The myLSU Class Rosters and Moodle Class Rosters indicate if students are officially registered. Students who are not officially registered may not attend class.

Approval to register by the student’s dean’s office is required after the official “final date for adding courses for credit” specified in the “Academic Calendar”.

Identification Cards

When first enrolled in the university, students are issued permanent photo identification cards (Tiger Cards) at no cost. The ID card is the property of the university and must be retained for each subsequent term of enrollment.

Lost or stolen ID cards must be reported to the Tiger Card Office, 109 LSU Student Union, as soon as the loss or theft is discovered. Students who do not report lost or stolen cards in a timely manner may be held responsible for any charges incurred on the cards.

Students who alter or intentionally mutilate a university ID card, who use the ID card of another, or who allow others to use their ID cards may be subject to university discipline.

A charge is assessed to replace a lost, stolen, or mutilated ID card, even if the student is re-enrolling after an interruption of study. If a replacement card is issued, the original card is no longer valid.

Addresses

Students are expected to keep the university informed of their current addresses. Students will be held responsible for communication from any university office sent to the most recent address(es) provided. Changes in address may be made by using myLSU.

Physical location is an important factor for student’s enrolled in educational programming at LSU especially in programs that lead directly to certification/licensure. Licensing, certification, and authorization requirements vary by state. Therefore, it is crucial for students to supply the university the address in which they are physically located. If a student relocates during their educational studies, they should contact their program’s advisor and make the applicable change using myLSU.

Students may choose to withhold information from the Internet using myLSU and following the procedure listed.

Students’ names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers are displayed on the myLSU directory. Students may withhold this information by using myLSU and following the procedure provided at that site.

First Class Meeting

Students who fail to attend the first class meeting without prior arrangement with the department may be dropped or required to drop the course to make space available to other students.

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have been dropped from the course; otherwise, they are liable for a grade of “F.”

Attendance

Students should observe any special attendance regulations stated by their college, school, division, or the instructor. The instructor may report a student’s absences and the student may be placed on attendance probation by his or her dean. A student may be dropped from the college by violating the written terms of such probation.

For online courses, logging into a course’s management system (e.g., Moodle) does not constitute attendance in that course. Instructors of online courses may define and include any “academically related” activity as participation in a course.

These activities can include, but are not limited to:

1. Participating in any assigned activity (e.g., attending a synchronous teleconference or video conference, submitting assignments, taking examinations, engaging in an assigned study group, participating in a discussion forum)
2. Completing interactive tutorials or interactive, computer-assisted instruction
3. Discussing the course’s subject matter (e.g., participating in course activities, interacting with other students or the instructor via email, course management system, or Internet)

An absence due to illness or other causes beyond a student’s control will be excused when the instructor is convinced that the reason for absence is valid. The university’s Policy Statement 22 discusses approved trips, activities, and other instances of excused absences.

Instructors will excuse any student who is unable to attend or participate in class or an examination on a religious holiday supported by the student’s religious beliefs. It is the student’s responsibility to anticipate such conflicts and discuss this with the faculty member well in advance.

Adding or Dropping Courses

To avoid schedule changes after the official registration period, students are encouraged to plan each semester’s coursework in consultation with academic advisors. Any schedule changes should be made as soon as possible after the beginning of classes.

Students may add and drop courses as follows:

*4th class day when classes start week of July 4^th (in session 2)

A “W” grade will be entered on a student’s record for any course dropped as indicated in the last column in the table above. Students should consult the academic calendar maintained by the University Registrar to determine deadlines each semester.

Undergraduate “W” Grade Policy

“W” grades do not affect a student’s GPA; however, an excessive number reflects negatively on a student’s record and involves substantial cost by way of tuition, books, room and board, and lost opportunities. A large number of “W” grades may make it difficult for a student to graduate on time because the recommended curricular paths typically assume that students will complete approximately 15 credit hours per semester.

Students are allowed a maximum of 10 course withdrawals during their academic career. Withdrawals cannot exceed this number unless authorized by the dean of the student’s college, in which case the student must then meet with an academic advisor to discuss progress toward the degree. 

“W” grades earned via the following methods do not count in the number of drops permitted:

• Resignation from the university.
• Courses dropped during the summer term or wintersession.
• Courses offered through the Division of Continuing Education that students drop.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Refer to “Course Numbering System ” in the section, “Courses: General Information ,” in the catalog for information on the enrollment for undergraduate credit in 4000- or 7000-level courses. 

Superior undergraduates may also register for graduate credit under the section “Accelerated Master’s Degree Program ”. Requirements for the program are specified in the section, “The Graduate School ,” in this catalog.

Registration of LSU Nonacademic Employees

Full time, nonacademic (excluding faculty) employees, who have been employed at least one year, with approval from their department head or supervisor, may register for job-related undergraduate or graduate courses at any LSU campus for up to six hours per semester and receive full tuition exemption. Only three hours per week of the approved job-related courses may be taken during work time without charge to annual leave. Continued participation in the tuition exemption program will be based on making satisfactory progress, as determined by the employee’s supervisor. Satisfactory progress shall generally be interpreted to include completion of the course with a passing grade. (Please note that the provisions of this policy do not apply to specialized self-supported educational programs such as the Executive MBA Program. Employees should consult with the Chief Academic Officer on their campus to determine eligibility.)

Full-time, nonacademic, and other academic (excluding faculty) employees, during the first year of employment and with approval from their supervisors, may register, at their own expense, for a job-related course and be allowed to take the course during work time for no more than one hour per day up to three hours per week.

Cancellation of Registration

Students who drop all of their classes prior to the first day of class will have their registration cancelled.

These students will receive a 100 percent refund (less the $10 nonrefundable registration fee). Undergraduates whose fall or spring semester registrations are cancelled must apply to reenter the university before they can register for a subsequent semester or summer term. Graduate students whose registrations are cancelled can re-enroll without applying to be readmitted as long as they do so within three subsequent semesters (summer term included).

Resignation from the University

A student may voluntarily resign from the university beginning with the first day of class through the final day for resigning shown in the “Academic Calendar”. Resignation is initiated in the office of the student’s academic dean. The student must obtain a resignation form and file the form with the Office of the University Registrar within 10 days after it has been endorsed by each administrative office indicated on the form. Resignation is not complete until the form is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.

Students who absent themselves from the university without leave and without official resignation will not be assigned “W” grades and, at the end of the semester, normally will receive grades of “F” in courses for which they are registered.

Students who withdraw from the university without approval, or who are dropped from the university for any reason, may be ineligible for readmission for a semester or longer.

Academic Credit

Year Classification of Students

The number of semester hours of credit earned determines a student’s year classification, as follows:

Freshman • fewer than 30 hours
Sophomore • at least 30, but fewer than 60
Junior • at least 60, but fewer than 90
Senior • 90 or more
Exception • A student in a five-year program with at least 60, but fewer than 136 hours, is a junior; with 136 or more, a senior.

See “Course Numbering System ” for regulations governing the level of courses students may take, based on their classifications.

Student Enrollment Status

Students are classified as full-time, three-quarter time, and half-time in accordance with the following provisions:

Full-Time Students

• Undergraduate—To graduate in four years, a student should complete at least 15 hours per semester. Undergraduate students who carry 12 or more hours of resident credit in a regular semester or six hours in a summer term are considered full-time.
• Graduate—Full-time graduate students enroll in the Graduate School for at least nine hours of resident credit in the fall and spring (six hours in the summer term).

Only full-time students will be approved for campus employment or may represent LSU in any athletic, dramatic, literary, musical, or other university organization.

Part-Time Students

*Only for the purposes of reporting, undergraduate students are classified as part-time if they schedule or drop to fewer than 12 hours of coursework in a summer term.

Criteria for part-time status in the Graduate School are available from “The Graduate School “  section of this catalog.

Maximum Credit Load for Undergraduates

Each college establishes the number of semester hours of coursework required in each year of its curricula. Registration for more than 19 hours of degree credit in a regular semester requires the approval of the dean of the student’s college. Dean’s approval is also required for registration for more than six hours in an accelerated session. With dean’s approval, students may schedule up to six hours in wintersession.

Full-time students who are doing unsatisfactory work because of a heavy academic load may be required by their college dean to withdraw from one or more courses, provided such action does not change their full-time status. Such mandatory withdrawals do not count toward the student’s number of permitted “W” grades.

Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policies

The extent to which credit earned in other colleges and universities is accepted toward fulfilling degree requirements at LSU (including all campuses of the university) is determined by the dean of the college awarding the degree. Students may not receive credit for work taken concurrently at another college or university without prior written approval from their academic dean.

The Statewide Student Transfer Guide and Articulation System Matrices (Board of Regents’ E-matrix) indicate transfer equivalences of courses among Louisiana’s public colleges and universities and may be accessed through the Board of Regents’ web page. The matrices are not all-inclusive; there are additional courses that articulate between campuses. Students are advised to contact their dean’s office or the Office of Enrollment Management if they are unclear as to whether academic credit at other institutions is transferable.

Only work that is acceptable by the offering institution as baccalaureate degree credit is recognized. Credit earned in two-year technical or terminal degree programs which, when completed, results in an “associate in applied sciences” diploma may be accepted to the extent that the courses parallel baccalaureate degree work here, as determined by the appropriate department and subject to the normally applicable conditions.

Due to varying residency and senior college academic requirements, students should contact their academic counselor prior to earning credit from other institutions. 

 A maximum of one-fourth of the credit required for the degree may be earned through regionally accredited university correspondence study.

General Education Credit • Deans are to determine the applicability of transfer courses to a component of LSU’s general education requirements.

If the college does not approve a transfer course for general education credit, the student may petition the Office of Academic Affairs for a decision.

LSU Transcript–Regardless of whether or not transfer credit fulfills degree requirements, all transfer courses accepted by the university are included on the LSU transcript.

Auditors

An enrolled student may be admitted to class as an auditor by obtaining written consent from the course instructor and the dean of the college offering the course. After scheduling the course, students must submit the required approvals to their deans’ offices to change their enrollment from credit to audit. Other students who desire only to audit (and not to schedule any courses for credit) may obtain special enrollment forms from the Office of the University Registrar. Auditors will not receive credit for courses audited, although courses previously audited may later be taken for credit. See “Undergraduate Fees and Expenses ” for a listing of fees for auditing courses.

Change in registration from audit to credit or credit to audit requires permission from the instructor of the course and the student’s dean. Approval for change from audit to credit must be obtained no later than the final date for adding courses for credit as shown in the “Academic Calendar.” A request for a change from credit to audit must be submitted no later than the final date for dropping courses without receiving a grade of “W.”

Distance Learning Programs Courses

A Distance Learning Programs (DLP) course grade will be posted to the transcript when the course is completed. If a student takes the final examination by the last day of the final examination period of a semester/summer term, the grade will be posted to that semester/term. If the final examination is taken after that date, the DLP grade will be posted to the next regular semester or summer term. DLP grades will not be posted to wintersession. The grade will be used to determine academic action for registered students at the conclusion of that semester or summer term.

Grading Systems

Faculty members must provide the university and the student with an individual evaluation of each student’s work. At the beginning of each semester, faculty members must distribute written course syllabi in all courses, graduate and undergraduate, clearly stating the relative weight of the component factors of the final grade. While it is appropriate that the instructor should exercise subjective judgment in determining grades, particularly in “borderline” cases, the judgment should be based solely on academic considerations. Because class absences are likely to affect a student’s mastery of course content, they may be considered among these “academic considerations” in determining the final course grade. Therefore, instructors, at their discretion, may also include “unexcused” absences as component of the course grade, as long as attendance policies are spelled out clearly in the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Additionally, in 4000-level courses in which instruction of undergraduates for undergraduate credit and graduate students for graduate credit is combined, syllabi should clearly set forth any different expectations of performance by students in the two groups (beyond the expectation of a 2.00 minimum GPA for undergraduates and a 3.00 minimum GPA for graduate students).

Grades must not be utilized as coercive or punitive measures reflective of a student’s behavior, attitude, personal philosophy, or other personal characteristics except as those qualities relate directly to the student’s level of mastery of the course material.

On request, faculty should provide to students a review of all graded material, including final examinations, that contributed to the course grade and a review of the method by which the grade was determined.

Unreturned examinations and other graded material should be kept on file for at least six months following the end of the academic term. Faculty members who leave the campus during this period should file all course material in their departmental offices.

It is the right and responsibility of faculty members to determine and assign the grade for each student enrolled in their courses beyond the final date for withdrawing with a “W,” as specified in the “Academic Calendar”. The instructor’s assignment of a grade is final; the grade may not be changed or altered except through the academic appeal procedure, following appropriate investigation.

In extraordinary circumstances that make it impossible for the instructor to fulfill the responsibility of determining a course grade, the department chair shall assign the grade. In such a case, the department chair may elect to award the grade of “P” (Pass). This “P” grade would be excluded from the normal limits on use of the pass-fail option indicated below. Re-examination, special examinations, extra-credit projects, or extra laboratory hours cannot be made available to an individual student unless the same options are available to the entire class.

Undergraduate Grades

• The definitions for letter grades when used in undergraduate courses are presented below.
  • The letter grade A, including A+ and A-, denotes distinguished mastery of the course material.
  • The letter grade B, including B+ and B-, denotes good mastery of the course material.
  • The letter grade C, including C+ and C-, denotes acceptable mastery of the course material.
  • The letter grade D, including D+ and D-, denotes minimally acceptable achievement.
  • The letter grade F denotes failure.  

References to specific letter grades in university regulations and requirements refer to the full letter grade range. For example, if a grade of C is required, a student must achieve a final grade in the C range (i.e. C+, C, or C-) or better.

A grade of “P” (pass) denotes satisfactory completion (grade of “C” or better) of advanced-standing or proficiency examinations, pass-fail option courses, and certain other courses. A grade of “NC” (no credit) indicates that no credit is earned.

• Grading scale—A student’s GPA is determined by the ratio of quality points earned to semester hours attempted. Quality points are assigned to letter grades using the following scale:

All courses taken for which the grades above are assigned, including repeated courses, are considered in calculating GPAs. Grades of “P,” “W,” “I,” and “NC” are not used in computing the official GPA and, therefore, do not carry quality points.  

• Plus/Minus Grading and Regulations Applicable on a Course-by-Course Basis—All regulations applicable on a course-by-course basis and requiring a specific letter grade are interpreted to mean a specific letter grade range.  For example, if a student must achieve a C or better in one course as a prerequisite for subsequent course, the student must achieve a final grade in the C range (i.e., C+, C or C-) or better. 
• “W” grades—A “W” will be entered on a student’s record for any approved course dropped within the dates specified in the “Academic Calendar”. In extraordinary cases, upon written petition, the dean of the student’s college may authorize a resignation and/or a drop from a course after the last date specified.
• Grades earned in courses offered by the Hebert Law Center, the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry, and the School of Veterinary Medicine shall not be considered in computation of the GPA of an undergraduate student unless approval is given by the dean or director of the student’s college/school to permit the student to use the professional courses as electives or to pursue a combined curriculum.

“I” Grades

Work which, because of circumstances beyond the student’s control, is incomplete, may be marked “I” (incomplete) with the dean’s office representative’s permission.

Student Expectations:

• It is typically the responsibility of the student to initiate the request for the academic dean’s authorization. Exceptions to this regulation will only be considered in extenuating, documented circumstances or for university sanctioned and administrative purposes.
• “I” grades are only considered for approval when an extraordinary situation occurs at or after the university’s deadline to resign for the semester, as specified in the “Academic Calendar”. It is the student’s responsibility to promptly notify an authorized representative of their academic dean’s office and provide appropriate documentation to support the “I” grade request. An approved “I” grade allows the student to make up coursework that was missed due to the extenuating documented circumstances. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to discuss his/her academic status in the class. If the “I” grade request is approved, the student and the instructor will then create a timeline for completing all outstanding coursework. 
• An “I” grade will allow a student additional time to complete work missed due to the extenuating and documented circumstance but does not guarantee a passing grade in the course.
• An “I” grade will be converted to “F” unless it is removed during the next regular semester in which the student is in residence in one of the university’s campuses prior to the deadline for adding courses for credit, as specified in the “Academic Calendar.”

Faculty Expectations:

• An “I” grade may be assigned for undergraduates only if the instructor receives appropriate authorization from the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled. If authorization is not received, the instructor is to consider the delinquent work to be of failing quality, and an “I” grade may not be assigned.
• In accordance with the LSU Code of Student Conduct, faculty should assign an “I” grade to any assignment referred to the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability for alleged academic misconduct. If a student is found responsible for an academic violation, the outcome letter, issued by the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability, will contain the final grade determination for the assignment and, potentially, the entire course.
• LSU Academic Programs Abroad course instructors may request permission to award “I” grades when the timing of a program does not match the university calendar except in cases of graduating seniors.

Dean’s Office Expectations:

• A representative of the academic college in which the student is enrolled will gather pertinent information related to the “I” grade request, including the effective dates for the absence to the extent known and communicate the outcome to all parties.
• In extraordinary cases, the dean of the student’s college may authorize that the “I” grade become permanent or that an extension of time for removing the grade be allowed.

Computation of the Grade Point Average

For all academic purposes, except for determining recipients of the University Medal, GPAs shall be specified to three significant figures (two decimal places), with the last figure to reflect rounding from a four-significant-figure average (three decimal places) where possible. If the third figure after the decimal point is equal to or greater than five, upward rounding shall occur. If the third figure after the decimal point is less than five, it shall be dropped, regardless of what the fourth or subsequent figures may be. Thus, 3.9550 becomes 3.96, and 3.9549 becomes 3.95. In calculations to determine relative rank in class, a student’s average may be carried to three decimal places. 

Any GPA cited to only one decimal place (as 2.0) shall be construed to mean, mathematically, a figure accurate to two decimal places (as 2.00), regardless of the text.

Pass-Fail Option for Undergraduates

Some courses have been approved to be graded pass-fail for all students enrolled. In courses with regular grading, students may petition for the pass-fail grading option, subject to the guidelines indicated below. In all undergraduate courses with pass-fail grading, the grade of “P” will be given for work of “C” quality or better. The grade of “F” will be given for work below “C” quality.

Students may be registered in several courses regularly graded pass-fail during a given semester and still elect to take an additional course under the pass-fail option program.

Courses passed with a grade of “P” may be offered for degree credit, but the grade will not be considered in computing the GPA. An “F” in a pass-fail course will be treated as any other “F,” both with regard to credit earned and to GPA calculation.

Limited use of a pass-fail option is permitted at the discretion of the individual colleges and schools, subject to the following policies.

• The pass-fail option is available only to those students whose GPA in the university (all LSU campuses) is 2.50 or better.
• The pass-fail option is allowed only for unrestricted electives or other courses approved by the student’s major department.
• No more than 12 semester hours of degree credit in the pass-fail option program are permitted; pass-fail enrollment may not exceed one course per semester, excluding those courses normally graded pass-fail.
• Enrollment under the pass-fail option program must have the prior approval of the instructor, the chair of the student’s major department, and the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled.
• Through the last day to add courses for credit, students may, with appropriate approval, change from pass-fail to graded status and vice versa. No change in the grading option may be made after the last day for adding courses for credit.

For information about the pass-fail option for graduate students, see “The Graduate School ”.

Grade Reports

Final and midsemester grades are available through myLSU. 

Transcripts

Upon submission of an order through Parchment transcript service, former and currently enrolled students may obtain complete transcripts of their academic records, provided they are current in their financial obligations to the university (all LSU campuses). Requests must be authorized by the student. Partial transcripts are not issued. Normally, two days of processing are required after the transcript request is received. At the beginning or end of a semester, considerably more time may be required. Telephone requests for transcripts cannot be honored.

University Undergraduate Scholastic Requirements

Definitions

GPA • Grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted. For example, a student who has attempted 46 hours and has earned 122 quality points has a GPA of 2.65.

Cumulative GPA • The cumulative GPA is calculated on work attempted at all colleges and universities attended.

LSU GPA • The LSU GPA is calculated on all work attempted at the university (all LSU campuses).

General

The following university scholastic requirements apply to all students, except those enrolled as “visiting” students. For details regarding the use of Distance Learning Programs grades to determine scholastic standing, refer to “Undergraduate Admissions ” of the catalog. Courses taken at Southern University through the LSU-SU Cooperative Program, and Baton Rouge Community College through the LSU-BRCC Cross-Enrollment Program, are recorded as transfer credit. Credit taken through these co-op programs are calculated in only the cumulative GPA.

A student on University Scholastic Warning, Probation, or Drop will have a notation of the academic status recorded on the official LSU transcript.

University Scholastic Warning

At the end of the fall or spring semester, wintersession, summer term, or LSU Online module, students will be placed on University Scholastic Warning if their GPAs are .01 to 9.99 quality points below a 2.00 on all work attempted or on all work attempted in the university (all LSU campuses). A notation to that effect will be recorded on their transcripts. Students will remain on University Scholastic Warning until they bring their GPAs up to 2.00, or are placed on University Scholastic Probation.

University Scholastic Probation

At the end of the fall or spring semester, or an LSU Online module, students will be placed on University Scholastic Probation if their GPAs are ten or more quality points below a 2.00 on all work attempted or on all work attempted in the university (all LSU campuses). Students will remain on University Scholastic Probation until they have cumulative averages of 2.00 or higher on all college work attempted and on all work attempted in the university (all LSU campuses).

Students who have been removed from University Scholastic Probation will be placed on University Scholastic Warning or Scholastic Probation again at the end of any fall or spring semester, or LSU Online module, in which their LSU or cumulative averages are less than 2.00 as follows:

• If the student’s LSU or cumulative averages are .01 to 9.99 quality points below a 2.00, they will be placed on University Scholastic Warning. 
• If the student’s LSU or cumulative averages are ten or more quality points below a 2.00, they will be placed on University Scholastic Probation. 

University Scholastic Drop

Students on University Scholastic Probation will be dropped from the university at the end of any fall or spring semester, or LSU Online module, if their semester or module average is less than 2.00 unless application of the Grade Exclusion Policy results in the student’s LSU and cumulative GPAs being recomputed to 2.00 or higher.

Resident students dropped for university scholastic deficiency may enroll, with permission of their dean, in the summer term at LSU. If their quality point deficits are totally removed during the summer term, they may petition their dean to allow them to enroll for the fall semester. Students who remove their quality point deficiency and complete all degree requirements may not graduate at the end of the summer term. They must register for degree only during the subsequent fall semester and receive their degrees at December Commencement.

Resident students dropped for university scholastic deficiency at the end of the fall semester who are already enrolled in wintersession, may continue their enrollment. If their quality point deficits are totally removed during wintersession, they may enroll for the subsequent spring semester. Students who remove their quality point deficiency and complete all degree requirements may not graduate at the end of wintersession. They must register for degree only during the subsequent semester.

The Summer Term (Both Sessions)/Wintersession

Resident students cannot be placed on University Scholastic Probation or dropped from the university on the basis of work taken during the summer term or wintersession. They can, however, be placed on University Scholastic Warning status.

Work taken during the summer term can result in resident students being removed from University Scholastic Warning status, Scholastic Probation, or Scholastic Drop status.

Work taken during wintersession can result in resident students being removed from University Scholastic Warning or University Scholastic Probation.

Re-entry after Scholastic Drop

Resident students dropped for the first time for academic reasons can be considered for readmission when they have been out of the university (all LSU campuses) for one regular semester.

LSU Online students dropped for the first time for academic reasons can be considered for readmission when they have been out of the university (all LSU campuses) for two consecutive modules.

Resident and LSU Online students dropped the second or subsequent time for academic reasons must remain out of the university (all LSU campuses) for one calendar year.

In either instance, readmission may be delayed or denied at the discretion of the dean of the college in which the student desires to enroll. Students entering the university after University Scholastic Drop will be admitted on University Scholastic Probation. Reinstatement after a University Scholastic Drop (see “Appeal of Academic Ineligibility to Enroll”) will not remove the drop notation from the transcript.

College Scholastic Requirements

Students may also be placed on College Scholastic Probation or College Scholastic Drop status on the basis of unsatisfactory progress toward meeting the specific requirements of their academic program. College Scholastic Requirements differ from University Scholastic Requirements in that they apply only while a student is enrolled in the college that imposed the academic action. College Scholastic Probation and College Scholastic Drop are not noted on the official LSU transcript. Students should refer to the college sections for regulations regarding college academic action.

Academic Renewal (previously known as Academic Bankruptcy)

Under specified conditions, undergraduate students who have not been enrolled in any credit-bearing coursework for a period of at least five consecutive calendar years may, at the time of application for admission to the university, declare academic renewal. Under this policy all college work taken at an earlier date is eliminated from computation of the grade point average and cannot be applied toward a degree at LSU. Such work will remain on the student’s scholastic records and transcripts, but will not be used in the computation of the grade point average for honors or the University Medal. It may, however, be used to compute the grade point average for admission to graduate and professional study.

Students qualifying for academic renewal will be admitted on scholastic probation. Details of this policy may be obtained from the Office of Enrollment Management.

LSU Second Chance

Students who have declared academic renewal may petition the dean of the student’s major college to apply for readmission through the LSU Second Chance application. If the application is accepted, all previous work remains on the student’s scholastic records and transcripts but will not be used in the computation of the grade point average. However, previous grades of “C-” or better are displayed as “P” grades and applied to total hours earned, which can then be applied to degree program requirements. Previous grades of “D+” or lower will not be applied to the total hours earned. 

Students must meet the residency requirements for the university before graduation. Refer to the “Academic Requirements for Obtaining a Degree” section for specific university residency requirements.

Only students who were admitted to LSU and left without a degree are eligible for the LSU Second Chance. Transfer students and students who have a degree from LSU are not eligible for consideration.

Once a student invokes the LSU Second Chance, it cannot be revoked and can only be awarded once. It may not be invoked retroactively. Students will not be eligible for Latin Honors or the University Medal.

Students qualifying for the LSU Second Chance will be admitted on scholastic probation. Details of this program may be obtained from the Office of Enrollment Management. 

Appeals and Appeal Review

LSU provides students with an appeal procedure for questioning the application of any regulation, rule, policy, requirement, or procedure as it applies to the individual student in their capacity as a student. 

Most undergraduate student academic appeals are routed directly to the college in which the student is currently enrolled for consideration. See below for a list of common types of academic appeals and the office responsible for the review of said appeal:

Other types of academic appeals exist. In addition, the colleges, schools, and offices may have specific guidelines for the submission of certain appeals. Students should contact a representative of the appropriate college, school, or office directly for guidance or for further information prior to appeal submission. 

Students who have had an appeal denied in a college/school/office and who believe that a serious procedural error or an abuse of discretionary authority occurred in the review process may file an appeal for consideration in the Office of Academic Affairs. The decision by the Executive Vice President and Provost shall conclude the matter. 

PS-48: Student Appeals

PS-48 is a university policy that establishes procedures that a student may use to formally request the review of the application of any university regulation, rule, policy, requirement, or procedure not otherwise covered by an established procedure as it applies to that individual student.

Grade Appeals

The university implemented a plus/minus grading system with the 2015 fall semester.  The plus/minus grading system will not be used when grades are changed for courses taken prior to the 2015 fall semester.  

Appeals of final grades must be initiated by the student by requesting in writing or actually attending a meeting with the faculty member who assigned the grade at issue within 30 calendar days after the first day of classes in the next regular semester. For students in the LSU Online programs, appeals of final grades must be initiated by the student in writing with the faculty member who assigned the grade by the end of the first week of the next regular module. The procedure is as follows:

• The student and the faculty member must have a discussion and attempt to arrive at a solution. For the purposes of this policy, a “discussion” can be accomplished via a face-to-face meeting or through other forms of communication such as letters, emails, conference calls, video/web conferences, etc. Although each may have an advisor present, it is believed that under most circumstances, the meeting will be more productive if only the student and the faculty member are present. To the extent an advisor is utilized at this or any stage of the procedure, the advisor is not allowed to argue, advocate, make statements, present information, question witnesses, or raise objections on behalf of either party.
  
  If the faculty member is on sabbatical leave or is otherwise unavailable, his/her place will be taken by a faculty member appointed by the department chair or his/her designee. The faculty member must inform the student of his/her decision within seven calendar days. If the decision reached requires change in an official university record, the faculty member must comply with all university regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the change.
  
  If an administrative officer (department chair, dean, executive vice president and provost) is the faculty member who assigned the grade that is appealed, that officer should recuse himself or herself from the appellate process in any capacity other than as the faculty member who assigned the grade; his or her place in the procedure will be taken by a faculty member appointed ad hoc by the executive vice president and provost or the president, as appropriate.
  
  A change of grade is accomplished by filing a “Grade Correction Report.” A satisfactory reason for the change is “academic appeal.” The department chair and/or the student’s dean (dean of the college in which the student is enrolled) may request documentation of the facts of the matter to facilitate any decision with respect to approval of the grade change.

• If the matter is not resolved between the student and the faculty member, and the student wishes to pursue the appeal, he or she shall make a written request to the chair of the department in which the course was taught asking for a meeting of the department chair, the faculty member, and himself or herself. The faculty member will provide the name of the appropriate department chair. The written request should clearly state the purpose of the meeting and should indicate the faculty member’s name; however, it should not go into detail as to justification for the appeal. This request must be submitted within 45 calendar days after the first day of classes of the next regular semester. For students in the LSU Online programs, this request must be submitted by the 15th calendar day of the next regular module (starting with the first day of class).
  
  The department chair shall arrange a meeting within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the request. Meetings may be face-to-face or via video/web conference. At this meeting, both the student and the faculty member may be accompanied by an advisor. At the close of the meeting, or within seven calendar days thereafter, the department chair shall make a decision. If a decision is made at the close of the meeting, it is to be given orally to all present. If the matter is taken under advisement, the department chair shall inform all parties, including the student’s dean, of his or her decision in writing. If the decision reached requires change in an official university record, the faculty member must comply with all university regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the change.

• Either the student or the faculty member may appeal the decision reached by the department chair to the dean of the college in which the department offering the course is located. The dean’s name will be furnished by the department chair. Appeals concerning courses numbered 8000 or above should be directed to the dean of The Graduate School.
  
  The appeal must be in writing and must be submitted within 14 calendar days after notification of the department chair’s decision. The appeal must contain the following information: (1) a statement of the action(s) complained of; (2) the relief requested; and (3) a specific statement of the reasons supporting the relief sought.
  
  Upon receipt of the appeal, the dean must promptly forward copies to the department chair and the other party concerned, who must promptly reply with individual written statements supporting their positions. Copies of the written replies must be forwarded to the appellant.
  
  When the replies have been received from the department chair and the other party, the appellant may choose one—and only one—of the following options: (1) the dean will decide the question on the basis of the written appeal and the written replies from the other party and the department chair; (2) the dean will meet, either in person or via video/web conference, with all parties concerned, who may be accompanied by advisors if desired, and, after discussion, reach a decision. Alternatively, the student, the faculty member, or the department chair may request that the dean refer the appeal to a hearing panel for its recommendation. 
  
  Hearing panels to consider grade appeals will be appointed by the dean and shall be composed of three faculty members selected by the dean, with no more than two from the same department, and two students appointed by the president of the college’s student governing body. The dean should designate the chair of the panel.
  
  The panel shall hold a hearing with the department chair, the faculty member, and the student, each of whom may be accompanied by an advisor. The hearing may be held in person or via video/web conference. After deliberation, the panel will make its recommendation in writing to the dean. Copies of the recommendation and the dean’s final decision must be given to all parties, including the student’s dean.
  
  Regardless of the method used, the dean must make his or her decision within a reasonable time from the date of receipt of the appeal. The decision must be written, listing the reasons supporting the decision; copies must be given to all parties, including the student’s dean. If the decision requires change in an official university record, the faculty member must comply with all university regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the change.

• Any party to the appeal who believes that a serious procedural error occurred or that there was an abuse of discretionary authority in reaching the decision may file with the executive vice president and provost a written petition for review. This petition, which must be filed within seven calendar days after receipt of the decision, must contain a complete statement of the alleged serious procedural error, or examples of abuses of discretionary authority complained of, and also must contain reasons for the relief sought. The petition must be accompanied by all documents produced in the appeal. Copies should be sent to all parties to the appeal and to the student’s dean.
  
  The executive vice president and provost or the provost’s designee shall decide within 30 calendar days after receipt of the petition whether further action should be taken. In reaching this decision, he or she may ask other parties to the appeal to make written replies to the request for a review, or these parties, on their own, may make written replies. If the decision is reached that a review is not justified, the student and all other parties, including the student’s dean, will be so notified.
  
  If the executive vice president and provost or his or her designee decides to respond favorably to the petition for review, he or she may hold a formal meeting with all parties and their advisors, interview any persons who may have relevant information, and/or review and consider any related records or documents.
  
  Once a decision is reached, the executive vice president and provost will notify all parties, including the student’s dean, of his or her decision. The decision of the executive vice president and provost shall conclude the matter.
  
  This grade appeal procedure is an academic process designed to provide students with the ability to appeal a final grade only. Interim grades and grades on particular exams, papers, projects, and other assignments may only be appealed to and discussed with the faculty member who assigned the grade. Any questions, regarding the interpretation or implementation of the grade appeal procedures shall be resolved by the executive vice president and provost or his or her designee.

Appeal of Academic Ineligibility To Enroll

An undergraduate student dropped from the university because of scholastic deficiency may appeal the ineligibility based on extenuating circumstances. Such appeals must be submitted to the office of the student’s dean at least seven calendar days prior to the beginning of the semester/summer term in which the students wishes to enroll. The appeal should be in the form of a letter to the dean, accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstances.

Appeals may be reviewed by the dean or, at the option of the dean, by a college committee established for that purpose. In the latter case, the committee will make a recommendation to the dean. Final authority in the college rests with the dean. If the appeal is approved:

• the student is eligible to enroll at LSU on academic probation for the next semester/term;
• the dean may set conditions based on the student’s situation, which may include specific academic requirements the student must meet. The student will be informed of any conditions in writing; and
• the student’s transcript will carry a notation that the student was dropped but reinstated, based on appeal.

If the dean denies the appeal, the student may submit it to the Office of Academic Affairs for review, along with a statement of the reasons why the Office of Academic Affairs should consider the appeal. Final authority rests with the executive vice president and provost.

Undergraduate Credit for Repeated Courses Policy

A student may not repeat a course in which a grade of “C” or better has been earned unless the catalog description indicates that the course may be repeated for credit or the student’s dean approves the repetition for some special reason. If a student registers for a course in violation of the above policy, the student’s dean may deny degree credit for the course.

Unless otherwise stated in the course description, credit will be awarded only once for a course that is repeated. When students are permitted to repeat for credit a course previously taken, only the last grade determines acceptability of the course for degree credit. The last grade earned in a repeated course will be the grade applied toward graduation, even if it should be lower than the previous grade. If a student receives a failing grade when repeating a course for which a passing grade had been previously earned, the student will lose the credit previously earned for the course.

All course attempts will be recorded on the LSU transcript.

 Undergraduate Grade Exclusion Policy

The Office of the University Registrar maintains a list of courses ineligible for grade exclusion.

As of the 2013 fall semester, the university has implemented the Grade Exclusion Policy. Under this policy, students may improve the undergraduate LSU and cumulative GPAs by repeating a maximum of three courses (up to 12 credit hours) in which a grade of “D” or “F” was received and requesting that the repeat grade be the only one that is used in the calculation. Students can exceed the total hours (more than 12 hours) in completing the third course, but students cannot take a third course if they have already excluded 12 hours. The following rules apply to this policy:

• students must file a written petition to invoke the policy with the dean’s office of the college in which the student is enrolled by the last day to add courses in the semester or term in which the subsequent attempt is made;
• petitions filed by student athletes must be approved by the both the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled and the Academic Center for Student Athletes;
• once a petition to exclude a grade has been accepted by the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled, it may not be changed;
• only three such requests are available to students in their undergraduate careers;
• the policy will apply to courses attempted prior to the 2013 fall semester or thereafter, but the subsequent attempt(s) must be made beginning with the 2013 fall semester;
• the repeated grade must be in the same course rubric and number taken at LSU (if a course is cross-listed, the course must be repeated under the same rubric as it was originally attempted);
• the policy will apply to LSU dual enrollment courses;
• the policy can only apply to courses that have been scheduled (for the current or a future term);
• waitlisted courses are not eligible for grade exclusion;
• transfer courses are not eligible for grade exclusion;
• special topics, independent study, research type courses, and capstone courses are not eligible for grade exclusion;
• variable credit courses are not eligible for grade exclusion;
• courses in which incomplete grades have been awarded are not eligible for grade exclusion;
• courses offered through the Division of Continuing Education are not eligible for grade exclusion;
• withdrawal from a course for which an exclusion has been approved will not result in the original grade being excluded, but will count toward the three courses or 12 credit hour exclusion limit;
• once a grade exclusion is applied to a course, the quality points and credit hours attempted and earned will be removed from only the calculation of the LSU and cumulative GPAs. Past semester GPAs will not be recalculated;
• grade exclusions do not retroactively change the status of the student’s semester academic honors (e.g., Dean’s List) or result in a refund of tuition or fees;
• grade exclusions do not result in a recalculation of a student’s academic standing (e.g., scholastic warning, probation, or drop) at the end of a previous semester or term;
• the exclusion adjusted GPA will not be used in determining both Latin Honors and University Medalists. All grades will be used to determine Latin Honors and University Medalists.
• the excluded grade will be annotated on the transcript with the symbol “E” to denote that the grade was excluded;
• upon communication to the University Registrar by the Dean of Students or designee, the policy may not be used to exclude a grade assigned as a result of academic dishonesty;
• students may invoke the policy multiple times for the same course;
• once a student has earned a degree, the grade exclusion policy cannot be invoked with respect to any course attempted prior to earning the degree.

Many graduate and professional schools re-compute GPAs in the process of considering an applicant for admission to such programs. The re-computation of GPAs may include restoring the cumulative GPA effects of initial attempts at courses repeated under this policy.

Undergraduate “F” Grade Policy

Students who fail a course twice at LSU may not retake the course without approval from the dean of the student’s major college. Appeals to enroll in a course after having failed the course twice need to be initiated immediately following the semester or summer term in which the second failing grade was earned, but no later than the first class day of the next semester or summer term enrolled.

Students who receive an “F” in a course must repeat the course within the campuses of the university in order to receive credit and quality points for it. With prior concurrence of the chair of the department in which the course is offered and the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled, credit and quality points may be approved in individual cases for courses repeated outside the campuses of the university.

Undergraduate Examinations

Credit Examinations and Prior Learning Assessments

LSU Credit • Students awarded advanced-standing or proficiency credit on other campuses within the university at any LSU institution can transfer that credit to LSU A&M if the basis for awarding the credit is comparable to that on this campus. The student is responsible for requesting that the registrar on at the other campus LSU institution send an official transcript to the LSU Office of Enrollment Management showing the credit earned.

Credit from Other Collegiate Institutions • Credit earned through departmental proficiency examinations administered by other accredited colleges/universities and listed on the official transcript is evaluated in accordance with policies applying to resident credit earned at those institutions. Grades earned through credit by examination are not included in the computation of the GPA.

Subject Examinations • Transfer students who have taken subject examinations in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or who have participated in the Advanced-Placement Program of the College Board should have their examination scores sent directly to the Office of Enrollment Management for evaluation.

Transfer credit is not awarded for work or travel experience, except as validated through appropriate departmental proficiency examinations at LSU.

Proficiency Examinations • A limited number of proficiency examinations are offered through academic departments. Proficiency tests are considered equivalent to final examinations in college-level courses. Ordinarily, students must obtain permission from their academic deans and from the chairs of the departments offering the courses prior to taking the examinations. Students may apply for these tests at any time after they have been admitted to the university.

Credit by Examinations, Including the ALEKS Exam for Continuing Students, Proficiency Examinations, and Prior Learning Assessments • Credit via these mechanisms is limited to 30 semester hours and cannot be used to reduce the minimum residence requirement for graduation.

• With approval of the appropriate academic dean, credit earned through advanced-placement courses of the College Board will be excluded from the 30-semester-hour credit limit.
• Exams and/or Prior Learning Assessment credit will not be used to meet the 15-hour requirement in determining honors or dean’s list eligibility.
• If a grade of “C” or higher is earned on the examination, a mark of “P” and regular credit in the course are entered on the student’s transcript. If a grade lower than “C” is earned, only the fact that the examination has been attempted will be recorded on the academic record; credit will not be allowed. The grade “NC” will appear on the LSU transcript. For ALEKS, a mark of “P” is only included if the student earns credit based on the chart in the “Undergraduate Admissions ” chapter of this catalog. 
• A student may take a proficiency examination in a particular course only once. The exception is ALEKS, which may be repeated up to 5 times per year.

In addition, for all credit/proficiency examinations and prior learning assessments the following conditions apply:

• The student must have been admitted to the university (includes all LSU campuses) and must be in good standing.
• With the exception of ALEKS, which students can register for via their myLSU desktop, all other examinations or assessments of prior learning must be initiated with the appropriate dean and the chair of the department offering the course. After authorization is granted, the Office of the University Registrar will issue an Advanced-Standing or Proficiency Exam Grade Report upon payment of the required fees. No instructor may give a proficiency examination until he/she has received the official grade report.
• Students must pay a fee for each examination in which credit is being sought; an additional processing fee is assessed for each examination administered by the Center for Assessment & Evaluation. Prior Learning Assessment fees for evaluation of materials and the transcripting of credit are the responsibility of the student. These fees must be paid regardless of whether the student successfully earns the credit being sought. ALEKS fees are paid directly to the vendor and are neither collected nor maintained by LSU.
• Course credit will be posted to the semester that corresponds to the date entered in the date field on the Advanced-Standing, Proficiency Exam, or Prior Learning Assessment Grade Report, provided the student is enrolled.
• Students are not permitted to schedule proficiency examinations or prior learning assessments in courses in which they have earned unsatisfactory grades or are currently enrolled. Additionally, no examinations or assessments may be performed during a term for which the student has already incurred a grade of “W”. ALEKS may, however, be taken at any time for purposes of meeting the prerequisites for MATH courses.
• Credit earned through proficiency examinations or prior learning assessments will not be used in computing the student’s GPA.

Midsemester Examinations

Faculty must report midsemester grades in all undergraduate courses. These grade sheets are available through myLSU.

Final Examinations

Concentrated Study Period

The five-day period during the fall and spring semesters (Wednesday through Sunday) immediately preceding the week of final examinations will be set aside as a concentrated study period. 

To promote a learning-centered environment, graded coursework (including but not limited to tests, exams, quizzes) is not permitted during concentrated study period. Exceptions to this policy include: laboratory courses; graduate and professional courses; presentations, papers, and projects identified on the syllabus on the first day of class; and participation. During this time, no extracurricular student activities, such as social and athletic events, will be held on or off campus. 

Any exceptions to this policy must receive prior approval from the Office of Academic Affairs. Students should report any violations of this policy to the Office of Academic Affairs. This can be done through the Student Appeals process. 

Final Examinations

The fall and spring semester final examination period will be comprised of six days (Monday through Saturday). Final examinations are required in all courses. When a final examination is inappropriate because of the nature of the course, exceptions to this requirement may be made upon approval of the appropriate department chair, dean/director, as well as the Office of Academic Affairs.

The final examination periods for all terms are published on the Office of the University Registrar website.

Final examinations must be given during the published dates for the final examination period.

A final examination is defined as the last in a series of major tests specified in the course syllabus. It need not be comprehensive. If the course syllabus does not call for a final examination, the last major unit examination is to be considered the final examination and must be given during the final examination period. When a series of major tests is scheduled in addition to the final examination, the last of the major test series may not be given during the concentrated study period. Exams and performances in laboratory-type courses may be given or required during the concentrated study period.

A student who, because of illness or other valid reason, is absent from any final examination may take a special examination only with authorization of the dean of the student’s college.

During this time, no extracurricular student activities, such as social and athletic events, will be held on or off campus. 

Privacy and Release of Student Education Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (sometimes referred to herein as “the Act”), as amended, sets forth requirements designed to protect the privacy of student education records. The Act gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights generally transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends post-secondary (beyond 12th grade) school. The law governs access to records maintained by educational institutions and the release or disclosure of certain information from those records. This notice is published in each “Registration Schedule of Classes” to explain the rights of students with respect to records maintained by Louisiana State University and A&M College (“LSU” or “the university”). It also outlines LSU’s procedures to comply with the requirements of the Act. Copies of the Act, the Federal Regulations adopted pursuant to it, and this notice are available for viewing on LSU’s website (www.lsu.edu/registrar), and in the Office of the University Registrar, Room 112, Thomas Boyd Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Definitions

I. EDUCATION RECORDS

1. The meaning of “education records” is, with certain exemptions as listed below, those records, files, documents, and other materials which contain information directly related to a student, and are maintained by any employee or agent of the university. The following categories of information are exempted and are not considered to be “education records”:

• Records made by university personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute of the maker.
• Records maintained by the LSU Police Department for law enforcement purposes.
• Medical and counseling records used solely for treatment. (Medical records may be personally reviewed by a physician of the student’s choice.)
• Records of student workers related exclusively to the student’s employment with the university.
• Records only related to a former student (alumni records) that are not directly related to the student’s attendance as a student. Records of that individual while a student continue to be considered education records.

2. All records pertaining to students which are maintained by university offices are official university records, and as such, remain the property of the university.

3. Each university unit has an obligation to keep a record of requests for access to, and disclosures of, personally identifiable information in student records information except when the request is from the student, a university official with a legitimate educational interest, someone requesting directory information, or related to a request with written consent from the student. Students have the right to review this record of requests and disclosures of student record information.
 

II. PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION

Data or information which includes, but is not limited to the following:

• The student’s name.
• The name of the student’s parents or other family members.
• The address of the student or the student’s family.
• A personal identifier such as the student’s Social Security Number, LSUID, or biometric record.
• Other indirect identifiers, such as the student’s date of birth, place of birth, mother’s maiden name.
• Other information that alone or in combination, is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty.
• Information requested by a person whom the university reasonably believes knows the identity of the student whom the education record relates.

III. STUDENT

Any individual who is or has been in attendance at LSU and regarding whom LSU maintains education records.

Policy Detail

I. RIGHT TO INSPECT AND REVIEW

Students are granted the right to inspect and review all of their education records, except the following:

• Financial records of parents.
• Confidential letters and statements of recommendation placed in education records prior to January 1, 1975.
• Confidential letters and statements of recommendation for admission, employment, or honorary recognition placed in education records after January 1, 1975, for which students have waived their right of access.

II. WAIVER OF RIGHTS OF ACCESS

Students may waive their right of access to confidential letters and statements of recommendation. Even if the student signs a waiver, upon request, the names of all persons making confidential recommendations will be made available. Employees or agents of the university may not require a student to waive his or her right of access for receipt of university benefits or services.

III. PROCEDURES FOR INSPECTION AND REVIEW

1. Students have the right to inspect and review education records within 45 days after receipt of the request for access. Requests to review records must be made separately, in writing, to each office maintaining records. That office will make arrangements to comply with the request as expeditiously as possible not later than 45 days after receipt of the request. If the records are not maintained by the office to which the request was submitted, that office shall so advise the student, and the student shall address his or her request to the appropriate office.
2. Information contained in education records will be fully explained and interpreted for students by university personnel assigned to, and designated by, the appropriate office.
3. Students have the right to review only their own records. When a record contains information about more than one student, disclosure cannot include information regarding the other student(s).
4. The university reserves the right to deny copies of records, including transcripts, not required to be made available by the Act if the student has an unpaid financial obligation to the university.

IV. RIGHT TO CHALLENGE INFORMATION IN RECORDS

1. Students have a right to challenge the content of their education records if they consider the information contained therein to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
2. This process includes an opportunity for amendment of the records or insertion of written explanations by the student into such records.
3. Students challenging information in their records must submit, in writing, a request for a hearing to the appropriate office maintaining the record, listing the specific information in question and the reasons for the challenge.
4. Within 45 days of receipt of the written request for hearing, the university will inform the student of the date, place, and time of the hearing and the identity of the official in charge of the hearing. The notice will be mailed to the student at least two weeks in advance of the hearing.
5. The right to challenge grades does not apply under the Act unless the grade assigned was inaccurately recorded, under which condition the record will be corrected.

V. PROCEDURES FOR HEARING TO CHALLENGE RECORDS

1. Students challenging information in their records must submit, in writing, a request for a hearing to the appropriate office maintaining the record, listing the specific information in question and the reasons for the challenge.
2. Within 45 days of receipt of the written request for hearing, the university will inform the student of the date, place, and time of the hearing and the identity of the official in charge of the hearing. The notice will be mailed to the student at least two weeks in advance of the hearing.
3. Hearings will be conducted by a university official who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing.
4. Students shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the reasons for the challenge, as referenced in item IV. The student may be assisted by individuals or an attorney at his or her expense.
5. The hearing officer will render a decision, in writing, noting the reason and summarizing all evidence presented within 30 days of the hearing. The decision will be based solely on the evidence presented and will include a summary of the evidence and the reason(s) for the decision.
6. Should the hearing be in favor of the student, the record shall be amended accordingly and the university shall notify the student of the amendment in writing. Should the request be denied, the student may choose to place a statement with the record commenting on the accuracy of the information in the record and/or setting forth any basis for inaccuracy. When disclosed to an authorized party, the record will always include the student’s statement and the hearing officer’s decision, as long as the student’s record is maintained by the university.
7. If students have questions regarding the procedure for challenging records, they should contact the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@lsu.edu or 225-578-1690.

VI. CONSENT FOR RELEASE REQUIRED

Written, dated, and signed consent must generally be obtained from students for the release of information from education records, specifying what is to be released, the reasons for release, and name of the party or class of parties to whom the record are to be released, with a copy of the record sent to the student if he or she desires.

VII. RELEASE WITHOUT CONSENT

1. The requirement for consent does not apply to the following:
   • Requests from school officials who have a legitimate education interest on a “need to know” basis. School officials are members of the faculty and staff of LSU, including student employees or agents of the university, as necessary or appropriate, to conduct official business, as authorized by the university. Legitimate educational interest includes performing a task related to the regular duties of the employee or agent, the student’s education, the discipline of a student, a service or benefit for the student, or maintaining safety and security of the campus.
   • Requests from a person employed by or under contract with the university to perform a special task.
   • To public officials as specified in the Act.
   • To agencies or institutions that have requested records in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
   • To organizations for use in studies designed to develop, validate, or administer predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction. Such agencies must agree not to divulge personally identifiable records to third parties and must agree to ultimately destroy these records.
   • Requests in compliance with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, provided the university makes a reasonable attempt to notify the student in advance of compliance (except in certain cases involving grand jury subpoenas and subpoenas issued for law enforcement purposes and the court has ordered that the existence of the subpoena not be disclosed); or, when the university is involved in a legal action with a parent or student, where disclosure to the court, without a court order or subpoena, of records that are relevant for the university to proceed as plaintiff or to defend itself is permissible.
   • To comply with a court order obtained under the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 for education records considered relevant to a terrorism investigation or prosecution, without advance notice to the student.
   • Requests in connection with a student’s application for or receipt of financial aid.
   • Requests by state authorities and agencies specifically exempted from the prior consent requirements by the Act for disclosure of records to organizations conducting studies on behalf of the university, if such studies do not permit the personal identification of students to any persons other than to representatives of such organizations and if the personal identification data is destroyed when no longer needed.
   • Information submitted to accrediting organizations.
   • Requests by parents of a dependent student, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
   • To parents or legal guardians of a student regarding the student’s violation of any federal, state or local law, or of any rule or policy of the university governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
   • To any person, including a parent, whose knowledge of the situation is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or any other individuals when, considering the totality of the circumstances, the university has determined that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or any individual.
   • To authorized federal officials who have need to audit and evaluate federally-supported programs.
   • To the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning an F, J, or M nonimmigrant alien, only to the extent necessary for the university to comply with Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) reporting requirements, as mandated by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, and the regulation at 8 CFR 214.1(h). Consent is not necessary for the university to disclose required information to USCIS or DHS in compliance with SEVP reporting obligations.
   • As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records — including the Social Security Number, grades, or other private information — may be accessed without the student’s consent. First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to the records and PII without the student’s consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution. Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to education records and PII without the student’s consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when the university objects to or does not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive the PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities. In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain, and share without the student’s consent PII from education records, and they may track a student’s participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about the student that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service, and migrant student records systems.
   • The results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by the university against an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence to the alleged victim of that crime.
   • To the victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense.
   • To disclose information provided to the university under Section 170101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14071) concerning registered sex offenders who are required to register under that section.
   • Requests for “directory information” (see item VIII).
2. The university reserves the right to verify the accuracy of any information contained in what purports to be an official university document (e.g., a transcript or diploma) or is provided to a third party. In addition, degrees (any honors, majors, minors and specializations) are considered public information since they are conferred in a public ceremony.

VIII. DIRECTORY INFORMATION

1. LSU, in accordance with the Act, has designated the following information about students as public (directory) information:
   • Name
   • Address (local, home, and e-mail)
   • Telephone (local and home)
   • Major field of study/classification
   • Dates of attendance
   • Degrees, awards, and honors received
   • Most recent educational agency or institution attended
   • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
   • Weight and height of members of intercollegiate athletic teams
2. Students have the right to have this directory information withheld from the public if they so desire. Each student who wants all directory information to be withheld needs to complete a form available in the Office of the University Registrar. The hold will remain in effect until the student requests that it be lifted. Only currently enrolled students may place a hold on the release of directory information.
3. The university receives many inquiries for “directory information” from a variety of sources, including friends, parents, relatives, prospective employers, other institutions of higher education, honor societies, licensing agencies, government agencies, and the news media. Each student is advised to carefully consider the consequences of a decision to withhold “directory information.” The university, in good faith, will not release directory information requested to be withheld, and any requests from persons or organizations outside the university will be refused unless the student provides written consent for the release.
4. Given the ability of students to stay connected with family and friends via the Internet, etc., the university strongly recommends that personnel with access to directory information not release any addresses, phone numbers, or e-mail addresses to third parties. Requestors are to be directed to the Office of the University Registrar.
5. The university publishes student address information on the myLSU Directory, but not on the public directory. If students want to withhold their address information from the myLSU Directory, they may do so using the myLSU Directory Information application.

IX. COMPLAINTS, CONCERNS, OR SUGGESTIONS

Final responsibility for the interpretation of the provisions of this policy rests with the University Registrar. Any student who has reason to believe that the university is not complying with the Act or this policy should inform the University Registrar in writing. The University Registrar shall promptly review all such allegations. Students also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the Act.

Resources

I. TYPE, LOCATION, AND CUSTODIAN OF STUDENT RECORDS

LSU does not maintain education records in one central office. Education records are maintained in the respective colleges and schools, the Graduate School, and the Office of the University Registrar. Other education records are maintained in the Office of Academic Affairs, Student Life and Enrollment Management (undergraduate admission, financial aid information, and student employment), Student Advocacy and Accountability (disciplinary records), Athletic Department, International Services Office, and other offices. Questions regarding individual student records should be directed to the appropriate location. See complete list under “Responsibilities.”

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

 
III. LSU Office of the Dean of Students 

Student Advocacy & Accountability, 225-578-4307
LSU Code of Student Conduct. http://www.lsu.edu/saa/students/codeofconduct.php

IV. U. S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education, 1-800-872-5327. www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html

V. Contacts

Other Rules and Regulations

Standards of Conduct

The university’s guidelines and expectations for behavior and accountability procedures for students are outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Policies and procedures governing student organizations, activities, and conduct may be accessed at https://lsu.edu/studentaffairs/index.php and www.lsu.edu/campuslife. Student Advocacy & Accountability has administrative responsibility for coordinating all university accountability procedures for students and student organizations. Students who are charged with alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct are provided rights, including the right to a notice and a hearing. Additional details regarding standards of conduct may be found at: www.lsu.edu/saa. LSU’s Commitment to Community is an additional university document which details the expectation to uphold the highest standards of performance in an academic and social environment.