LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Academic Studies

EDUC, 1300, Learning Framework, 83A

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name Kristin Walker
Building/Office Number Shahan Event Center, Room 122
Office Hours Monday-Friday
8am-6pm (most days)
Best to make appointment to ensure we can meet. 
Virtual Hours
Book time with Kristin Walker: Office hours">Monday 
8am-10am

Wednesday
4pm-6pm
Make appointment for meeting outside of these times.
Book time with Kristin Walker: Office hours
Office Telephone (409) 882-3311
Email Address Kristin.Walker@lsco.edu


Course Description

EDUC 1300 3-3-0 Learning Frameworks (42.2701) **CROSS LISTED AS PSYC 1300 A study of the: research and theory in the psychology of learning, cognition, and motivation; factors that impact learning, and application of learning strategies. Theoretical models of strategic learning, cognition, and motivation serve as the conceptual basis for the introduction of college-level student academic strategies. Students use assessment instruments (e.g., learning inventories) to help them identify their own strengths and weaknesses as strategic learners. Students are ultimately expected to integrate and apply the learning skills discussed across their own academic programs and become effective and efficient learners. Students developing these skills should be able to continually draw from the theoretical models they have learned. AC.


Required Textbook & Materials

P.O.W.E.R. Learning: Foundations of Student Success, by Robert Feldman, Publisher: McGraw Hill, Copyright: 2020, 3rd Edition, ISBN-10: 1260070115 or ISBN-13: 978-1260070118

 

We will use this textbook immediately. If you have issues in purchasing the textbook, please contact your instructor.


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 Outcome 1 Core Objective Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Activities:
Students will use critical thinking skills by researching and developing a career/educational plan, using analysis and application of Bloom’s Taxonomy, completing surveys, quizzes and writing assignments, and participating in problem solving activities.		 Critical Thinking Skills:
Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.		 1. Researching and developing a career/educational plan: - Career Presentation
2. Graded writing assignments reflecting critical thinking, communication, and problem solving skills/activities.
Activities:
Students will understand and articulate their academic responsibilities and self-awareness. Students will complete a career project and respond to class discussions in writing		 Communication Skills:
Effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.		 1. Complete a career project and respond to class discussions in writing9
2. Library Project
3. Graded course assignments
4. Career Project.
Activities:
Students will learn to develop habits of intellectual exploration, collect information used for a personal student learning profile personal assessment, responsibility, manage time more efficiently, and physical well-being		 Empirical and Quantitative Skills:
Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.		 1. Collegiate study skills
2. Create and set personal goals
3. Create and establish priorities
4. Create a schedule and timeline of responsibilities
5. Research to develop a personal plan of steps to promote healthy and productive living
Activities:
Students will demonstrate the ability to work in collaboration with peers and instructors.		 Teamwork:
Ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.		 1. Campus scavenger hunt as a  team project to promote awareness of campus organizations, student rights/responsibilities, and student involvement
2. Career Coach assignment with a collaborative team 
Activities:
Habits of intellectual exploration: Campus resources, engage in activities to promote awareness of campus organizations, functions, and student involvement, participate in activities that promote social responsibility, accountability and team work, and learn the importance and use of campus technologies.		 Social Responsibility:
Intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.		 1. Campus scavenger hunt as a  team project to promote awareness of campus organizations, student rights/responsibilities, and student involvement
3. Work in collaborative teams
Activities:
Personal responsibility: Collegiate study skills, creating personal goals, establishing priorities, creating a schedule and timeline of responsibilities. Physical well-being: Plan of action for healthy and productive living.		 Personal Responsibility:
Ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.		 1. Responsibility and accountability strategies
2. Create and set personal goals
3. Create and establish priorities
4. Create a schedule and timeline of responsibilities.
5. Research to develop a personal plan of steps to promote healthy and productive living




Course Topical Outline

WEEK 1 and 2
 
Chapter 1 -Goal Setting
Chapter 2- Time Management
________________________________________________________
   COMPLETE
  • Introductions and Adjective for each initial
  • Envelope Essay
  • Read syllabus
  • Syllabus Quiz
  • Chapter 1 Quiz
  • Chapter 2 Quiz
 
   REVIEW
  • LSCO Career Coach Project
  • Advising Project
  • Career Project Guidelines (final exam)
_____________________________________________
Career Coach Project: Information and Requirements
  • Watch video Dean K posted
  • Go to Career Coach
  • Complete the 60-question assessment
  • Access and download your results
  • View career matches
  • Upload results and complete answers to questions
 Project DUE October 16th by 12noon
_____________________________________________
 
Advising Project: Information and Requirements
  • Schedule appointment with an Academic Advisor
  • Plan for the spring semester courses and completing your goal(s)
  • Get signature of Academic Advisor
  • Upload documents
 Academic Advisor appointments will be scheduled in October

Project DUE November 22nd by 12noon
_____________________________________________
Career Project: Information and Requirements

  • Interview with someone working in your chosen career field
  • Create a PowerPoint
  • Write an essay
Requires interviewing someone in your chosen career field

Project DUE December 6th by 12noon
WEEK 3 and 4
 
Chapter 5 -Reading Strategies
Chapter 11-Stress Management
   _____________________________________________________
   COMPLETE
  • Team Scavenger Hunt
  • Chapter 5 Quiz
  • Chapter 11 Quiz
  • Schedule appointment to meet with Academic Advisor
  • Complete your plan to complete educational goal with LSCO by mapping out future courses
  • Access personal DegreeWorks, download, and put with Advising Project work
  • See Dean K’s video
   REVIEW
  • Work on LSCO Career Coach program and Career Project
Advising Project Academic Advisor Appointment
Schedule for October
 
WEEK 5 and 6
 
Chapter 3 & 4 - Note and Test Taking
  • Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
  • LSCO Student Handbook
  • Course organizer software/resources
  • YouTube videos
Chapter 12 – Careers
  • Explore resume templates
    • Microsoft Word, Canva, Career Coach
_________________________________________________________
   COMPLETE
  • Chapter 12 Quiz
  • Chapter 3 & 4 Quiz
  • Build a resume in Career Coach
  • Search LSCO Library for one article related to your chosen career field; save for your Career Project (three references are required)
  • Interview someone in your chosen career field for the Career Project
  • Advising Project appointment scheduled
  
   REVIEW
  • Work on LSCO Career Coach program and Career Project
 
Library and Learning Center Tour, Study, Tutoring, and Career Resources
(Introduce research strategies for Career Project)
  • Library and internet research
  • Source Research
  • Information Literacy Checklist
WEEK 7 and 8
 
Career Coach Project: Information and Requirements
  1. Watch video Dean K posted
  2. Go to Career Coach
  3. Complete the 60-question assessment
  4. Access and download your results
  5. Explore three careers related to your Career Coach top traitsand your top three career matches
  6. Upload results and complete answers to questions
 
Project DUE October 16th by 12noon
WEEK 9 and 10
 
Chapter 7 – Technology
Chapter 6 & 8 -Academic Planning/Transfer
  • Access DegreeWorks, review for Advising meeting, and save
  • Create ideas on completing educational goals with LSCO
_________________________________________________________
   COMPLETE
  • Chapter 7 Quiz
  • Chapter 6 & 8 Quiz
  • Search LSCO Library for one article related to your chosen career field; save for your Career Project (three references are required)
 
   REVEIW
  • Work on interview questions and answers for Career Project
  • Create presentation template for Career Project
WEEK 11 and 12
 
Advising Project: Information and Requirements
  1. Schedule appointment with an Academic Advisor
  2. Plan for the spring semester courses and completing your goal(s)
  3. Get signature of Academic Advisor
  4. Write essay
  5. Upload documents
 
Academic Advisor appointments will be scheduled in October

Project DUE November 22nd by 12noon
 
WEEK 13 and 14
 
Chapter 10 – Money Matters
Chapter 9 – Diversity
_________________________________________________________
   COMPLETE
  • Chapter 10 Quiz
  • Chapter 9 Quiz
  • Complete Reality Check and Assignment
  • Search LSCO Library for one article related to your chosen career field; save for your Career Project (three references are required)
 
   REVIEW
  • Work on presentation for Career Project
  • Work on LSCO Career Coach program and Career Project
WEEK 15
 
Career Project: Information and Requirements
  1. Interview with someone working in your chosen career field
  2. Create a PowerPoint
  3. Write an essay
Requires interviewing someone in your chosen career field

DUE December 6th by 12noon
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   




Major Assignments Schedule

__________________________________________
Career Coach Project: Information and Requirements
 Project DUE October 16th by 12noon
_____________________________________________
 
Advising Project: Information and Requirements

Academic Advisor appointments will be scheduled in October
Project DUE November 22nd by 12noon
_____________________________________________
Career Project: Information and Requirements

Requires interviewing someone in your chosen career field
Project DUE December 6th by 12noon




Academic Calendar
July and August 2023

7/22/2023 First day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK (16-week, 8-week one, RNSG 10-week)
8/15/2023 Online Registration Closes, In Person Registration Continues (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two, RNSG 10-week)
8/16/2023 Payment Due Date 5 PM (16-week, 8-week one, RNSG 10-week)
8/19/2023 Saturday In Person Registration (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two, RNSG 10-week)
8/21/2023 First Day of Class (16-week, 8-week one, RNSG 10-week)
8/22/2023 In Person Registration Closes (16-week, 8-week one, RNSG 10-week)
8/23/2023 Last day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK (16-week, 8-week one, RNSG 10-week)
8/25/2023 Schedule Changes Close (Require Instructor Approval) (16-week, 8-week one, RNSG 10-week)
8/25/2023 Last Day to Petition for “No Grade” (8-week one)
8/25/2023 Applications for December 2023 Commencement Open (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two)
8/28/2023 Last Day to Drop without Penalty (Census Date) (8-week one)
8/28/2023 Last Day to Petition for “No Grade” (RNSG 10-week)
8/29/2023 Last Day to Drop without Penalty (Census Date) (RNSG 10-week)

September 2023

9/4/2023 Labor Day Holiday (Campus Closed)
9/5/2023 Last Day to Petition for “No Grade” (16-week)
9/6/2023 Last Day to Drop without Penalty (Census Date) (16-week)
9/20/2023 First Installment Plan Due 5 PM (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two, RNSG 10-week)
9/23/2023 First day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK (8-week two)

October 2023

10/6/2023 Last Day to Drop or Withdraw (8-week one)
10/11/2023 - 10/13/2023 Final Exam Period (8-week one)
10/16/2023 - 10/19/2023 Fall Break (Campus Open)
10/16/2023 ALL Grades (Graduate and Non-Graduate) due at 3:00 P.M. (8-week one)
10/18/2023 Payment Due Date 5 P.M. (8-week two)
10/20/2023 Fall Break Day (Campus Closed)
10/23/2023 First Day of Class (8-week two)
10/24/2023 In Person Registration Closes (8-week two)
10/24/2023 Last Day to Drop or Withdraw (RNSG 10-week)
10/25/2023 Second Installment/Short Term Loans Due 5 PM (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two, RNSG 10-week)
10/25/2023 Last day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK (8-week two)
10/27/2023 Schedule Changes Close (Require Instructor Approval) (8-week two)
10/27/2023 Last Day to Petition for “No Grade” (8-week two)
10/30/2023 Last Day to Drop without Penalty (Census Date) (8-week two)

November 2023

11/1/2023 In Person and Online Registration for Spring 2024 Semester Begins (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two)
11/2/2023 - 11/3/2023 Final Exam Period (RNSG 10-week)
11/6/2023 ALL Grades (Graduate and NON-Graduate Grades) due at 3:00 P.M. (RNSG 10-week)
11/17/2023 Applications for December 2023 Commencement Close 5 PM (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two)
11/23/2023 - 11/24/2023 Thanksgiving Holiday (Campus Closed)
11/27/2023 Last Day to Drop or Withdraw (16-week, 8-week two)

December 2023

12/6/2023 - 12/12/2023 Final Exam Period (16-week)
12/11/2023 - 12/12/2023 Final Exam Period (8-week two)
12/12/2023 Gator Book Pack Returns - Student Center Gym 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
12/13/2023 ALL Grades (Graduate and Non-Graduate) due at 3:00 P.M. (16-week, 8-week two)
12/13/2023 Gator Book Pack Returns - Student Center Gym 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
12/14/2023 Gator Book Pack Returns - Student Center Gym 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
12/15/2023 Deadline to return all GATOR PACK textbooks to B&N (16-week, 8-week one, 8-week two, RNSG 10-week)
12/15/2023 Commencement

 



Final Exam Date

December 6, 2023 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 12, 2023 - 12:00 PM


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.
Students should be knowledgeable of LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Student Handbook, including what constitutes as cheating and plagiarism. Course work and/or assignments submitted by more than one student that is not a collaborative team assignment will receive a grade of zero (0). 

The LSCO Student Handbook can be found here.


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.

Use your LSCO email to contact your instructor. Blackboard can be used to communicate with students in the course and to access course content and college resources. Do not use the Blackboard messaging system to contact your instructor. 




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 - participation is required of students to successfully complete this course. Students are expected to communicate absences and/or issues to the instructor as soon as possible. An absence does not excuse late assignment submission. Assignments submitted late will receive reduced points and be graded at the end of the course. 

FAQs

·       Since this is an online course your participation required.  As a general rule, you should have log in every day to check your status and spend six to nine hours working on course assignments and projects each week. Excessive absence/lack of participation affects your performance and grade in this class.
·       Students are expected to submit assignments on due dates and excessive late work may result in failing the course or being dropped from the course.
·       Online - Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom will be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or TEAMs, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.
·      Students who are uncivil, disrespectful, and/or have excessive absences may be dropped from the class.
·       It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the instructor to advise issues or concerns impacting the student's responsibilities, including reasons for lack of participation, in order to develop a plan that leads the student to success. 
·       If you have unique or special circumstances, please call or make an appointment with the Disability Support Services office - 409-882-3393.




Make-up Work Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to turn all assignments in on time.  Late work will receive reduced points and will be graded at the end of the course.  A zero will be earned for assignments and work not turned in. Students are expected to communicate absences/lack of participation and/or issues with the instructor as soon as possible. Lack of access or "absence" does not excuse assignments being submitted.  




Classroom Etiquette

Online - Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom will be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or TEAMs, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.


Exam Policy

There are no formal exams in this course. Quizzes will be counted as daily activities.  The Career Project,  that includes a PowerPoint and essay, will serve as the final exam. 


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

 

A = 90 - 100
B= 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
 
Advising Project                                 20%
Career Project-Research                   40%
Assignments                                      40%



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

Expected Time Requirement for this Course - For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16-week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. All Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as you would in the traditional, face-to-face class.

Weekly participation and engagement in the course is critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Refer to the attendance statement for additional information. (Also, 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.