Additional information about senior education here.
General Academic Policies and Procedures
1. Student Responsibility
Students are responsible for knowing the academic regulations stated in this catalog. Unfamiliarity does not constitute a valid reason for failure to adhere to them.
2. Course Numbering
Each course has an alphanumeric code (e.g., ENGL 1301). The alpha portion is an abbreviation of the subject area, while the numeric portion provides specific information about the course. The first digit of the numeric portion indicates the level of the course (1=freshman level, 2=sophomore level, 3=junior level, 4=senior level, 5=master’s level, and 6=doctoral level). The second digit indicates the number of semester credit hours earned by satisfactorily completing the course. The third digit is a sequencing number, or, if it is a 7, the third digit indicates the course is not in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. The fourth digit is a sequencing number.
3. Course Rotations
This catalog indicates when undergraduate courses are normally offered. Students should consult the detailed class schedule for each semester and contact advisors for exact information.
4. New Courses
To meet changing educational requirements, the university reserves the right to add, delete, or change courses or degree requirements and to change the mode of delivery of any course of program.
5. Semester Hours
The unit of measure for credit purposes is the semester hour. One hour of class meeting (or equivalent in other work) each week is usually equal to one semester credit hour. For each credit hour, at least two hours of additional study and preparation are expected. Two or more hours of laboratory work are counted as the equivalent of one lecture hour.
6. Registration for Classes
Students will be permitted to attend class only when the instructor has received evidence of proper registration. Registration dates and deadlines are listed in the academic calendar found in this catalog and online at https://www.lamar.edu/academic-calendar. Dates for Academic Partnership courses are found on the Academic Partnership Calendar. Students may add courses, make section changes or drop courses only within the periods specified in the calendar. The Records Office prepares and publishes a schedule of classes in advance of each semester. That schedule may be found at https://www.lamar.edu/students/registration/course-schedules.html.
7. Critical Dates for LU Online Courses
Online programs following compressed five- or eight-week sessions follow a somewhat different calendar for admission, enrollment, drop dates, and other activities. Students interested in or enrolled in these programs should consult their advisors and see the calendars provided online.
8. Minimum Class Enrollment
The University reserves the right not to offer any undergraduate course if fewer than 10 students register and pay tuition and fees.
9. Course Auditing by Senior Citizens
Senior citizens, 65 years of age or older, may register for and audit courses without the payment of tuition on a space-available basis. For further information, contact the Registrar’s Office at (409) 880-7698 or records@lamar.edu.
10. Class Attendance/Participation
Regular class attendance/participation is important to the attainment of educational objectives. Instructors will formulate an attendance/participation policy consistent with departmental policies and suited to the needs of the particular course. The instructor’s policy will be explained in detail to the class at the beginning of the semester and will appear in the course syllabus.
11. Student Absences on Religious Holy Days
Under Texas Education Code, Section 51.911, Lamar University shall excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an exam or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable period of time after the absence. Texas Education Code, Section 51.911, defines a religious holy day. If a student and an instructor disagree about the nature of the absence being for the observance of a religious holy day as defined therein, or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the provost. The student and the instructor shall abide by the decision of the provost.
12. Dropping Courses
Students may drop a course and receive a grade of “Q” during the penalty-free period of the semester or session. For drops after this penalty-free period, grades are recorded as “Q” or “F,” indicating the student was passing or failing at the time of the drop. A grade of “Q” may not be assigned unless an official drop has been processed through the Records Office. Students may drop a course online up to the census day by logging into Self-Service Banner. After the census day, courses must be dropped through the Records Office. For additional help, contact the academic advisor or the Records Office at records@lamar.edu. Students may not drop a course during the last 20 percent of the term. Students should check the academic calendar at https://www.lamar.edu/academic-calendar for specific dates.
For information on possible refunds, see the drop/withdrawal refund policy.
13. Instructor-Initiated Drop
When absences or lack of participation seriously interfere with a student’s performance, the instructor may recommend to the department chair that the student be dropped from the course. If this action is taken after the penalty-free period of the semester or session, a grade of “F” may be recorded for the course. The student’s major department will be notified that the student was dropped. Students remain responsible for initiating drop procedures if they find that they cannot attend or participate in classes. Students can check their status in classes by logging into Self-Service Banner, contacting an academic advisor, or contacting the Records Office at records@lamar.edu.
14. Reinstatement to Class
A student dropped from a course may be reinstated upon written approval by the chair of the major department, the instructor, and the instructor’s department chair.
15. Withdrawing from the University
Students wishing to withdraw entirely from the university and drop all Lamar University courses should contact an academic advisor or the Records Office at records@lamar.edu. Students must clear all financial obligations and return all university property. If, however, the student is unable at the time of withdrawal to clear financial obligations to the university, the student will be permitted to withdraw with the understanding that transcripts will be withheld and re-entry to Lamar University will not be permitted until all financial obligations are cleared.
For information on possible refunds, see the drop/withdrawal refund policy.
If a withdrawal is made before the end of the penalty-free period or if the student is passing at the time of withdrawal during the penalty period, a grade of “W” will be issued for each course affected. A grade of “F” may be issued for all courses not being passed at the time of withdrawal after the penalty-free period. A student may not withdraw within the last 20 percent of the term. A student who leaves without withdrawing officially will receive a grade of “F” in all courses and forfeit all returnable fees. Students should check the academic calendar for specific dates. Students wishing to withdraw after the official withdrawal date should contact their dean.
16. Enforced Withdrawal Due to Health Reasons
The Director of the Health Center and the Vice President for Student Engagement, on the advice of competent medical personnel, may require withdrawal or deny admission of a student for health reasons (mental or physical).
17. Change of Major
Students wishing to change majors should contact their academic advisor or the chair of their major department
18. Change of Address or Name
Students are responsible for all communications addressed to them at the address on file in the Records Office. Students who move during a semester must immediately update their contact information in Self-Service Banner.
Students who legally change their names or wish to correct errors in their name as currently recorded by the university should contact the Records Office at records@lamar.edu. All name changes must be accompanied by a copy of the legal document making the name change official. This document will be retained by the university.
19. Simultaneous Enrollment
Students who desire to enroll simultaneously at more than one institution of higher education should be aware that courses taken at other institutions may not apply to Lamar University degree plans. They should contact an academic advisor or the chair of the major department for advance approval of simultaneous enrollment. Such approval will be granted only if all Lamar University academic policies are being followed. For example, academic load restrictions and probation restrictions apply to the total credit hours taken at all institutions.
20. Academic Progress
Classification of Students
Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students. Officially enrolled students are classified as follows:
Freshman: all entrance requirements have been met, but fewer than 30 semester hours have been earned;
Sophomore: has earned a minimum of 30 semester hours;
Junior: has earned a minimum of 60 semester hours;
Senior: has earned a minimum of 90 semester hours;
Post-baccalaureate: holds a bachelor’s degree, but is not enrolled in a degree program or has not been admitted to a graduate program.
Graduate: has been formally accepted by a graduate program and is pursuing a graduate degree
A full-time student is an undergraduate student taking 12 or more semester hours in the fall or spring semester or four or more semester hours in summer session I or II. A full-time graduate student is one who takes nine or more semester hours in the fall or spring semester, or three or more in a summer term. Some sources of student aid reduce payments to students dropping below full-time status.
Grading System
A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Satisfactory
D – Passing
F – Failure
I – Incomplete
Q – Course was dropped during penalty-free period or course was dropped later,
passing
QL – Dropped (S.B. 1231–Six drop rule)
S – Satisfactory (credit)
U – Unsatisfactory (no credit)
NG – No grade (Thesis/Dissertation only)
W – Withdrawn from Lamar University
The grade of “W” or “Q” is given if the withdrawal or drop is made during the penalty-free period (see part 12 above) or if the student is passing at the time of withdrawal or drop during the penalty period. To drop or withdraw after “Census Day,” the student must contact the Registrar’s Office (Room 102, Wimberly Building) (409) 880-8542 or records@lamar.edu. Semester grades are filed with the Records Office. Except in very unusual situations, no grade may be corrected or changed without the written authorization of the instructor who assigned the grade. The grade change form requires the reason for the change and must be approved and signed by the instructor and department chair. All changes involving “Q” and “W” also require the approval and signature of the dean. If the requested change is for a grade assigned more than one year before the request, the dean also must approve and sign the form. If the requested change is for a grade assigned more than three years before the request, the Senior Associate Provost also must approve and sign the form. After a degree has been conferred, no transcripted grade may be changed except those assigned to graduating seniors in their final semester. Such changes require the approval of the provost. Since faculty are required to retain academic records for only three years, students should make every effort to submit grade change requests as soon as possible.
Incomplete Grades
The grade of “I” may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made with the instructor prior to the end of the semester or term. Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester or the Records Office will change the “I” to the grade of “F.” While the extension may be granted by the instructor with the approval of his/her Department Chair and Academic Dean, once the “I” is changed to an “F” it cannot be changed back to an “I.” In this case, either a “change of grade” procedure must be initiated or the course must then be repeated if credit is desired. The instructor may record the grade of “F” for a student who is absent from the final examinations and is not passing the course