You are here

Home » Advising » Faculty Resources

Academic Policies & Procedures

Academic Amnesty

If an undergraduate student or applicant has been out of school for at least three years, they have the opportunity to start a new academic record. If students have been admitted, they should see the dean of the college of their present major for further information. If the student is applying to the University, they should go the Admissions Office for more information.

Academic Suspension

See current Catalog for rules and regulations concerning academic suspension. Note that students suspended for the first time at the end of the spring semester may attend summer school without appeal; however, they may not be eligible for financial aid. Students who raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher by the end of the summer session are placed in academic good standing and the suspension hold is lifted.

Change of Major

Students with less than 60 credit hours or less than a 2.0 GPA initiate a change of major in 115 Lee Hall. Students with more than 60 credit hours and a 2.0 GPA or higher initiate a change of major in the dean’s office of the college of their new major. Athletes must first obtain written permission from a counselor in the Student Athlete Center.

If students change their major, they follow the catalog in effect at the time of the change. Students may appeal to their dean to stay in their earlier catalog.

Dropping with a W

Student seeking to drop a course after the schedule adjustment period must drop the course or resign with a grade of “W”. Students with less than 60 credit hours or less than a 2.0 GPA initiate a drop  in 115 Lee Hall. Students with more than 60 credit hours and a 2.0 GPA or higher must go to the office of their academic dean.

If a student is dropping below full-time, it could affect athletic eligibility, financial aid, housing, insurance, international status, scholarships, TOPS, military benefits, and vocational rehabilitation.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

FERPA is a federal law which requires that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of student educational records. Access to educational records is limited to the student.

Financial Aid

More than 80% of our students receive financial aid. Eligibility is based on many factors that are driven by academic decisions such as changing enrollment status from full time to part time, repeating courses, academic standing, dropping classes and resigning. If you are advising students on any of these areas, refer them to a financial aid counselor in Foster Hall to determine the financial impact of the decision.

High School GPA

A student with a high school GPA of less than a 3.0 cannot schedule more than 17 hours.

Late Schedule Adjustment (LSA)

To have a course removed from the student’s schedule and tuition/fees adjusted accordingly, the LSA must be received in the Registrar’s Office according to the following schedule:

  • Spring/Fall class day 6-13: LSA cards will be processed after the schedule adjustment period and prior to the 14th day of class.
  • After Spring/Fall 14th class day: LSA cards will only be processed for administrative error. A letter from the student’s academic dean must accompany the LSA card explaining the administrative error. If the LSA is approved, a grade of “WX” will be given and tuition and fees associated with the class will be refunded. Otherwise, a regular grade of a “W” will be given and no refund in tuition.

Both a “WX” and a “WM” will be calculated like a grade of “W” and will be included on the student’s transcript. However, a “WM” is only for course drops due to military reasons, and a student seeking a tuition refund must submit an appeal to the Fee Committee.

Override

If a student has the prerequisites for a course that is full, the department head may override the student in the class.

Resignation

Student with less than 60 credit hours or less than a 2.0 GPA dropping all of their classes must resign in 115 Lee Hall. Students with more than 60 credit hours and a 2.0 GPA or higher must resign in the office of their academic dean.

TOPS Requirements

Louisiana’s Tuition Opportunity Program for Students provides state scholarships to undergraduate students. In order to remain eligible to receive TOPS, students must:

  • be enrolled full-time on the 15th day of classes
  • earn 24 credit hours each year
  • be continuously enrolled
  • earn a minimum 2.0 GPA at the end of fall, intersessions, and summer terms
  • earn at least a 2.3 GPA at the end of the first academic year and a 2.5 GPA at the end of every subsequent academic year. If a student has the TOPS Performance or Honors award, a 3.0 GPA must be achieved by the end of the spring semester.
  • for additional information, please visit the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.