LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Vocational Nursing

VNSG, 2463, Clincial IV Practial Nurse, 02

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name Toni Lagrone
Building/Office Number Allied Health Buiding (AHB), Room 226
Office Hours Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Friday 3:00pm to 4:00pm">Tuesday and Wednesday 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Friday 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Virtual Hours Wednesday  3:00pm to 4:00pm and  By Appointment">Wednesday  3:00pm to 4:00pm and  By Appointment
Office Telephone (409) 882-3380
Email Address toni.lagrone@lsco.edu


Course Description

A health-related work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized occupational theory, concepts, and skills on clients, such as, but not limited to, medical surgical, obstetrics/gyn, post-partum, pediatrics, etc. Community sites as well as hospital facilities will be utilized. Direct supervision is provided by the clinical professional. Clinical experiences are unpaid external experiences.TEC


Required Textbook & Materials
Required Textbook & Materials

No specific text is required; however, students are referred to the texts and online material for VNSG 2413, VNSG 2214, VNSG 1230, VNSG 1234, Drug Guide, and the hospital policy and procedure manuals.  Each unit of each clinical facility has a policy and procedure manual.  The student is responsible for following institutional policy and procedures as outlined in the manual of the institution.  The student is also responsible for obtaining the instructor’s supervision for procedures as designated in the course syllabi.  Students must have a current CPR card and TB test before being allowed to attend clinical.  Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical.
 
Required Online Resources:
ATI (atitesting.com)
EHR Tutor by ATI (ehrtutor.com)
Upswing (Blackboard)
 
Supplementary Materials:
Patient Care Plan (Book of choice)
Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.


Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:

Core Objectives

Course Learning Outcomes:
Course and Program-Level		 Course Activities and Associated
Unit-Level Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Assist clients with physiologic and psychosocial health problems to attain maximum potential for living
 		 1. Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
2. Demonstrate proficiency in technical skills in clinical practice.
 		 2. Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
3. Apply problem solving skills in caring for clients with physiologic and psychosocial health problems.
 		 3. Clinical Assignment Papers, Case Studies, Nurses Notes. Also, will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
4. Implement the nursing process in providing care to clients of various cultural backgrounds.
 		 4. Clinical Assignment Papers, Case Studies, Nurses Notes. Also, will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
5. Employ appropriate nursing roles with clients to promote and maintain health, prevent illness, care for the ill and dying, and provide rehabilitation.
 		 5. Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
6. Function as a contributing member of an interdisciplinary health care team. 6.Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
7. Practice within the profession’s legal and ethical framework. 7.Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
8. Differentiate between adaptive and maladaptive responses of clients of various age groups and cultural backgrounds. 8 Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
9. Seek opportunities to enhance personal and professional learning experiences. 9. Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
10. Apply professional values and standards to the practice of nursing. 10. Will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
11. Demonstrate critical thinking skills as evidenced by the ability to analyze facts, synthesize factual information, and evaluate opinions in light of the facts presented throughout this course. 11. Clinical Assignment Papers, Case Studies, Nurses Notes. Also, will participate in clinical at hospital, on campus clinical, simulation lab, ATI/Blackboard assignments
 
General Education Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course the successful student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies and mastery of the associated learning outcomes at a level consistent with the achievement and performance expected for college students:
 
 

Core Objectives		 Associated Class Activities Associated Measures
Critical Thinking Skills:
Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
 
 
 
 
 
 		 Activities: Students will be caring for patients at clinical sites and/or given simulation scenarios and case studies containing facts regarding patient history, and other diagnostic information so as to determine the patient’s disease process or state. Measures:
In class/blackboard problem solving activities,
case studies
ATI activities
Caring for patients in clinical setting
           
 
Communication Skills:
Effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
 		 Activities: Nurses Notes, Pre-Care Plans, Clinical Assignment Papers, Case Studies, ATI activities, participation in clinical at hospital, sim lab and community. Measures:
In class/blackboard problem solving activities,
case studies
ATI activities
Caring patients in clinical setting.
 
Empirical and Quantitative Skills:
Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
 		 Activities: Students will be caring for patients at clinical sites and/or given simulation scenarios and case studies containing facts regarding patient history, and other diagnostic information so as to determine the patient’s disease process or state. Measures:
In class/blackboard problem solving activities,
case studies
ATI activities
Caring for patients in clinical setting
 
Teamwork:
Ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
 		 Activities: Classroom group activities, ATI activities, participation in clinical at hospital, sim lab, and community. Measures:
In class/blackboard problem solving activities,
case studies
ATI activities
Caring for patients in clinical setting
 
Social Responsibility:
Intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
 		 Activities: ATI Activities, will also provide patient care in clinical at hospital, sim lab, and community. Measures:
In class/blackboard problem solving activities,
case studies
ATI activities
Caring for patients in clinical setting
Personal Responsibility:
Ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.		 Activities: ATI activities, will also provide patient care in clinical at hospital, sim lab and community. Measures:
In class/blackboard problem solving activities,
case studies
ATI activities
Caring for patients in clinical setting




Course Topical Outline



Student will rotate through healthcare facility, simulation lab, and community sites.



Major Assignments Schedule

See Course Calendar posted on Blackboard


Final Exam Date

~ExamMonthName~ , 2023 - :00


COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty

Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.

Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.



Electronic Communication

LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

Know Your Abilities: Much of this course requires access to, familiarity with, and use of a computer and the Internet. You should have a general understanding of basic software such as Microsoft Word or another similar word processor, the Internet, a readily available Internet access device, and good working knowledge of web browsers such as Firefox and Google Chrome. If you do not have these items at home, LSCO has computer and internet access at a variety of locations.  See me for more information. 
 
Technical Issues: All course work should be completed from a laptop or personal computer. Tablets and phones are not acceptable forms of technology to complete coursework on Blackboard. If you are using the Blackboard APP, only use this APP to check grades and review announcements. Do not try to complete coursework from the app. Also, use Google Chrome and Firefox as your browser for Blackboard. The only technical issues I will accept regarding failure to complete assignments are those directly involving Blackboard availability when LSCO is responsible, as they can be documented by LSCO Office of Learning Technology. It is your responsibility to contact the help desk to document any such interruptions of accessibility and provide them to me. If I am not notified of a Blackboard outage, no consideration will be given to late assignments. I strongly advise all students to submit assignments well in advance of the closing date. Do not wait until the closing date to submit a document to discover whether you may have technical issues. Assignments will not be reopened after the due date.


Attendance Requirements

Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.

Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.

Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.

Attendance Requirements


The student is expected to be present and on time for clinical.  If a clinical absence or tardy is unavoidable, the student must call the instructor prior to the occurrence.  The student must call the instructor’s voice mail, leave a message, and a return number where they can be reached.  If student does not call instructor before clinical, that will be considered unprofessional conduct and 5 points will be deducted from overall clinical grade. Clinical begins promptly at 6:30am at assigned hospital, 7:30am at sim lab/on campus clinical, and 8am/TBA at assigned community site.
         


Make-up Work Policy


There is no make-up for missed clinical days. See Clinical attendance policy.


Classroom Etiquette


No food or drink is allowed in classrooms, computer & skills labs at any time. The student can be asked to leave the building.
 
If face-to-face meetings in the clinical setting are replaced by online meetings, then any or all the following methods may be used: discussion boards, emails, and chat.  Students are expected to follow the rules of etiquette in these forums.
 
If the course is delivered face-to-face, clinical behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the clinical or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program.  Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave clinical and will result in a clinical absence.  Inappropriate behavior may result in disciplinary action.  This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, clinical sites, etc.
 
When face-to-face meetings in the classroom are replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
Exam Policy

There are no exams in this course.


Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Student Handbook. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)


Expected Time Requirement for this Course

For every hour in class (or unit of credit) taught in a 16-week session, students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. Example: For a 3-credit hour class taught in a 16-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 10-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in an 8-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 12 to 18 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 5-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 20 to 29 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments.


Grading and Evaluation Method

    .  
Requirements to Pass Clinical
       
*Any Hospital, Community, or Sim Lab/On Campus assignment turned in late will receive a deduction of 5pts for each day late for up to one-week past due date, then student will receive a “0” Zero on the assignment with no chance to make it up.
 
*If all Hospital, Community, and Sim Lab/On Campus Clinical assignment corrections are not turned in on the date and time designated by Instructor, the student will receive a “0” Zero on that assignment with no chance to make it up.
 
*It is the student’s responsibility to turn in all clinical assignments on time. Work is not an excuse for late or missing clinical assignments.

Instructor Response Time

The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.


Participation Requirements

Clinical Competency and Administering Medications: To administer medications in the clinical facility the student must complete a clinical competency exam administered via Blackboard with a score of 90% or better.  If the student is unable to meet 90% requirement on the first exam, a second exam will be given.  Failure to obtain the 90% requirement on the second exam will result in a grade of “U” for clinical and an “F” for VNSG 2214.  There are no makeups for the clinical competency. Ifthe student does not take the first or second clinical competency exam at the date/time designated by the instructor, they will only have one chance to take the exam.  If the student misses both exams, they will receive a “0” and will be dismissed from the VN program.  This grade will not be averaged in with other exams.
 
Always have every medication you give as a student vocational nurse checked carefully by a licensed nurse.
 
Pre-Care Plans for Labor & Delivery, Newborn Nursery, & Post-Partum will be DUE BY 11:59pm Monday, September 4, 2023. The Pre-Care Plans must be complete and submitted via Blackboard.  We will not accept emailed Pre-Care Plans!  If they are not completed and turned in on time, the Pre-Care Plan will be returned to student for them to complete with a 20-point deduction and a 5-point deduction for each day late. Failure to turn in completed Pre-Care Plan BY 11:59pm Sunday, September 10, 2023 will result in a “0” for Pre-Care Plan and dismissal from VN Program.
 
You MUST attend clinical and community orientation.  No excuses are accepted.  *If orientation is missed, you will be required to meet with the VN Standards Committee to determine your progression in the program. Clinical tardy and absence rules apply.
 
Students must pass Applied Nursing 3, Maternal/Newborn, Pediatrics, and Clinical simultaneously.
 
Uniform Policy: Refer to the Handbook
 
Clinical Policy
The purpose of clinical in the Vocational Nursing Program is to allow the student to practice nursing under the guidance of the clinical instructor.  Clinical allows the student to apply the theory and technical skills learned in the classroom and skills lab to real clients in the health care system, on a Virtual patient, and in the simulation lab/on campus clinical’s safe learning environment.  Sessions at the hospital setting begin promptly at 6:30am and conclude at 1:30pm for post conference.  Post conference is held for one (1) hour after clinical.  This time is used for special reports, guest speakers, and alternate learning experiences.  This is also a time when students can share their experiences, consult each other, brainstorm, and seek guidance from the instructor. Community will begin at 8am and conclude at 5pm or TBA.  This will depend on the site at which the student is assigned. Sim lab and on campus clinical will begin at 7:30am and end at 2:30pm. 
 
When at the health care facility, no student food or drink is allowed at the nurse’s stations or in the hallways. (This is also an OSHA regulation).  Do not “visit” your fellow classmates during clinical time.  Stay in your assigned area.  Do not try to plan lunch dates during clinical.  Your breaks are worked around your patient’s care. No visitors (friends or family members) are allowed during clinical. If the student is caught breaking any institutional policy, they will be sent home with a clinical absence, and the student could be dismissed from the program. You may not leave the hospital to buy lunch somewhere else or run errands.  Students may not leave the hospital without checking with clinical instructor. Bring your lunch or plan to eat in the hospital cafeteria.  Also, all students may not leave the simulation lab/on campus clinical classroom without checking with clinical instructor. *Students not in uniform at clinical will be sent home.  This will result in a clinical absence.  *Refer to the Handbook for the uniform policy.
 
Students participating in clinical activities must follow the clinical affiliates policies for students at their facilities.  These may include, but are not limited to:
   
Students who do not adhere to the policies in place at their clinical location will be sent home and counted as absent. 
 
Always tell the charge nurse before you leave the unit.  Give a report and tell the nurse when you will return.  During an eight-hour clinical day you get one 15-minute break and one 30-minute break.  If you are not in your area or not on your 1 break or 30-minute lunch break, you may be sent home for the day with a clinical absence and may be dismissed from the Vocational Nursing Program. 
 
Do not study for class during clinical. 
 
No cell phones during clinical.  Instructors have the right to take them up and send student home with a clinical absence. Students found to be in violation of facility policies will be sent home with a clinical absence.  If someone needs to contact you, instruct him or her to phone the Nursing Dept. Administrative Assistant at 409-882-3344, or call/email the clinical instructor.
 
Students in the VN Program must bring their Skills Check Off Sheet with them to clinical every day.
 
Students must follow all Hospital, Community, and Sim lab/On Campus clinical rules, or they will be sent home with a clinical absence.
 
Seek opportunities to learn at clinical.
Remember we are guests at the hospital.  You need clinical hours to graduate. 
Give all of the staff respect—they have earned it.
Maintain a positive attitude and smile often.
Make the most of your clinical time.
 
Clinical Restrictions:  
*Students are to refrain from posting, texting, taking pictures of, or talking about patients, their clinical experience, facilities, etc. on ANY social media or they will be dismissed from the Vocational Nursing Program. No videoing or taking pictures of instructors or fellow classmates. NO posting them on social media without prior authorization from that person to do so.
 
Students must have their own transportation to and from hospital site, community site, class, sim lab, on campus clinical, seminars, and trips. 
 
*Students are expected to wear professional attire to seminars, class trips, or tours and when guest speakers are invited to Lamar.  
Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. (See LSCO Student Handbook, Class Attendance.)


Review of Test Grades

If the student has an issue with his/her grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three (3) days after receiving the grade


Student's Responsibility

This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.


Syllabus Content

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.


Textbook and Required Materials Access

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the second week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.


STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES

Mental Health Resources

TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare’s providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.


Advocacy Information

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.


Affirmative Action

LSCO is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment in full compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503,504); Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; the Vietnam Era Veterans Assistance Act of 1974; Article 522lk V.A.C.S.; and Executive Orders 11246 and 11758.


Title IX of the Education Amendments

LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Patty Collins, at patty.collins@lsco.edu.


Blackboard Resources

LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu and Password. For help in identifying your Username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.

Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.


Career Coach

Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.

Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO's Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.


Gator Assistance Services

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled technical students support for daycare costs as well as other services.

Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.


Gator Success Center

Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab. Face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions are available to help students through any LSCO course. Reach out to learning.center@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support.


Library Services

Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.


Student with Disabilities

Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.

Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Special Populations Advisor at (409) 882-3393 or visiting the Advising Office located on the first floor of the Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB) room 113. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Special Populations Advisor must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.


Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.

Visit https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.


INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

Campus Closure

In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange's classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.


Civility

Please be considerate of other classmates' feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.

The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.


Contingency Plans

Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and Success Center.


COVID Notification Policy

Students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 are required to report their condition to their instructor and to the College via the COVID Notification Form. Guidance on how to proceed will be delivered to the student's email after completing the required notification form.


Credit Transfer

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.


Criminal Background Policy

LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.


Drops and Withdrawals

Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.


Grade of "Incomplete"

The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student's LSCO email.

Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.


Grade Appeals and the Academic Grievance Process

Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.

An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student's ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process outlined below. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.

Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.


Institutional Educational Goals

Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:

  1. Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
  2. Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
  3. Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
  4. Teamwork (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
  5. Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
  6. Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
  7. Professional competency (Technical) - Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills and that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.

MyGator and Log-In Credentials

Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.

It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual - the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.


Policies and Procedures

LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, LSCO Student Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.


Prohibited Items in the Classroom

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.


Student Privacy

The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO's statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO's Student Handbook, page 70. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.