LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Science

BIOL, 1322, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 80F

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name	Dr Charlotte Barker
Building/Office Number	Academic Center (AC), Room 224B
Office Hours	Monday: 9:30 am – 12 noon, 1:30 – 3 pm Tuesday: 8:30 am – 9:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 1:30 – 2:30 pm Wednesday: 9:30 am – 12 noon, 1:30 – 3 pm Thursday: 8:30 am – 9:30 am, 11 – 11:30 am Friday:  I will check my email before 4 pm
Virtual Hours	Monday:  10:00 am - 11:00 am Wednesday: 10:00 am - 11:00 am *Instructor will be available to return emails with a faster turnaround
Office Telephone	(409) 882-3395
Email Address	Charlotte.Barker@lsco.edu
Course Schedule	Building: Online, Room: TBA, Dates: 8/26/2024 - 10/16/2024, Days: TBA, Times: TBA
Course Description	BIOL 1322 - Nutrition & Diet Therapy 3-3-0 Introduces general nutritional concepts in health and disease and includes practical applications of that knowledge. Special emphasis is given to nutrients and nutritional processes including functions, food sources, digestion, absorption, and metabolism. Food safety, availability, and nutritional information including food labels, advertising, and nationally established guidelines are addressed. This course is cross-listed as FDNS 1345. Course Identifier 19.0501 AC

Required Textbook & Materials
Required Textbook & Materials
Required:  Nutrition:  Applied Approach e text
By:  Thompson, Janice J./Manore, Melinda
Edition:  5^th 18
Publisher:  Pearson

Each student must have:
A working webcam & microphone for proctored online exams and quizzes.
Regular access to a reliable laptop or desktop
Regular access to reliable Internet connection


 





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 (CLOs)

Student Learning Outcomes: Course- and Program-Level	Course Activities and Associated Unit-Level Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply nutritional knowledge to analyze personal dietary intakes, to plan nutritious meals using nationally established criteria to meet recommended goals, and to evaluate food labels and the validity of nutritional claims.	1. Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, exams, written assignments
2. Trace the pathways and processes that occur in the body to handle nutrients and alcohol through consumption, digestion, absorption, transport, metabolism, storage and waste excretion.	2. Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, exams, written assignments
3. Discuss functions, sources, deficiencies, and toxicities of macro- and micronutrients, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, water, vitamins, and minerals.	3. Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, exams, written assignments
4. Apply the concept of energy balance and its influences at the physical, emotional, societal, and cellular level to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of various methods used to correct energy imbalances.	4. Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, exams, written assignments
5. Utilize concepts of aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, and knowledge about macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, Ergogenic, and supplements and relate them to fitness and health.	5. Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, exams, written assignments
6. Describe health and disease issues related to nutrition throughout the life cycle, including food safety, corrective dietary modifications, and the influence of specific nutrients on diseases.	6. Class instruction, discussion, assigned readings, exams, written assignments

Core Objectives

Core Objectives	Associated Class Activities	Associated Measures
Critical Thinking Skills: Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.	Activities: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.	Measures:Critical thinking is the intellectual practice characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
Communication Skills: Effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.	Activities:Written assessments, class discussion of course materials, and cooperative learning groups.	Measures:Written exam questions and assignments.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.	Activities:Written activities including case studies, short answer questions, and written assignments.	Measures:Case studies, short answer questions and laboratory assignments.
Teamwork: Ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.	Activities:Students will read, analyze, and interpret readings from the course text and other materials in laboratory or assigned lecture assignments.	Measures:Team-based activities
Social Responsibility: Intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.	Activities:Explore real life clinical applications using logical thinking, anatomical and physiological principles that concern personal and social responsibility.  Students will assess consequences of lifestyle choices affecting global human health.	Measures:Studying the course materials; performance on written exams and assignments; attendance as measured by in-class assignments and/or activities.
Personal Responsibility: Ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.	Activities:Students will attend class regularly, observe and conform to requirements of course policies and procedures, and will meet assignment boundaries and deadlines.  Students will assess consequences of lifestyle choices affecting global human health.  Develop habits of personal well-being as they learn about human biology and medical science.	Measures:Studying the course materials; performance on written exams and assignments; attendance as measured by in-class assignments and/or activities.

 




Course Topical Outline

Course Topical Outline Test One Chapters 1, 2, 3 Test Two Chapters 4, 5, 6 Test Three Chapters 7, 8, 9 Test Four/Final Exam Chapters 10, 11, 12, 14 & comprehensive	Course Topical Outline Test One Chapters 1, 2, 3 Test Two Chapters 4, 5, 6 Test Three Chapters 7, 8, 9 Test Four/Final Exam Chapters 10, 11, 12, 14

Major Assignments Schedule

 
Bio 1332.60F     Tentative Schedule        Fall 2024
DATE                                       TOPIC                                                                                  CHAPTER       
August 27                    Nutrition:  Linking Food and Health                                                  1A, 1BB
August 29                    Designing a Healthful Diet                                                                2A, 2B
September 2                Labor Day Holiday (campus closed)
September 3                The Human Body: Are We Really What We Eat?                             3A, 3B
September 5                Carbohydrates:  Plant-Derived Energy Nutrients                              4A, 4B
September 10            Test One (Chapters 1, 2, 3) classroom
September 12              Fats:  Essential Energy Supplying Nutrients                                     5A, 5B
September 17              Proteins: Crucial Components of all Body Tissues                            6A, 6B
September 19              Nutrients Essential to Fluid and Electrolyte Balance                         7A, 7B           
September 24              Nutrients Essential to Key Body Functions                                        8A, 8B
September 24             Test Two (Chapters 4, 5, 6) classroom             
September 26               Nutrients Essential to Healthy Tissues                                              9A, 9B
October 1                      Achieving & Maintaining Healthful Body Weight                               10A, 10B
October 1                      Dietary Analysis due
October 3                      Achieving & Maintaining Healthful Body Weight                               11A, 11B
October 8                     Test Three (Chapters 7, 8, 9)   
October 10                    Food Safety and Technology:  Protecting our Food                          12A, 12B
October 15                    Pregnancy and the First Year of Life                                                 14A       
October 16/17               Test 4/Final Exam (Ch10, 11, 12, 14) TBA, classroom     
Important Dates:
9/1/24                            Last day to request drop with no penalty
10/9/24                         Last day to request Drop From course
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and will inform students of any changes 





Final Exam Date

October 16, 2024 - 10:00 AM   Through  October 17, 2024 - 11:59 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.
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.


A student will be warned, by email, after a first incident of cheating and/or plagiarism and a zero will be received for that assignment/test.  A second instance of cheating will result in a failing grade for the class.

In order to maintain academic standards and ensure academic honesty, all tests given in this prenursing prerequisite course at LSCO will be proctored by Respondus system beginning in Fall 2024.  




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.

Electronic Communication
LSCO students are required to use 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.  For questions pertaining to blackboard issues accessing or taking the online tests, please contact the blackboard online support desk at (936)496-5378.

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. Emails to the instructor should go through your lsco account, not your blackboard page.  Also include that you are in Bio 1322.80F on your emails.

Please email me at charlotte.barker@lsco.edu with all questions and correspondence pertaining to your Biol 1322 course. 

In order to take an online course, you must have access to a computer with a good internet connection or the ability to come to the LSCO campus and take your tests at the LSCO testing center.  It is essential to have access to Blackboard in order to check for announcements, locate power points in Content, take online tests, etc.  If you have technical difficulties taking an online test, please contact the 24/7 Blackboard Online Support Desk at (936) 497-5378.  If they are unable to help you with your difficulties taking the test, please contact me at charlotte.barker@lsco.edu the same day you encountered the issues.  If it is evening, it may well be the following day before I get back with you, but you need to email me immediately explaining the circumstances so that I will have a paper trail.  These sorts of issues are taken on an individual basis.  Once you have had issues taking an online test, if it cannot be determined what the probable cause is, you may want to consider taking the next test at a different location or on campus at the LSCO testing center, using a computer with a good internet connection.  It is your responsibility to take your online tests in a location with good internet access.









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

For this online class, it is important to log in to your class's blackboard site every class day in order to keep up with new material.  However, in order to be counted present, you must do more than log in. You will need to participate in a required introductory discussion board to verify attendance/participation. Other items that are used to attendance/participation include: content-based discussion boards and lecture tests.  Each of these will be used to evaluate whether a student is 'present.' An attendance score will show up in gradebook, but it is a score and is Not a test grade.  The attendance score is used by LSCO, as per government guidelines, in determining eligibility for financial aid/and or scholarships so it is important.





Make-up Work Policy

Make-up Work Policy


The first missed regular exam, if any, can be your dropped test for the semester.  The second missed regular exam will result in a grade of zero.  It is not required to notify me why you missed the first test (if any) that you miss, but you are always free to email me why you missed a test or class day if you would like me to know.  If you anticipate missing more than a few regular class days please let me know.
*Anyone who has extreme circumstances that require them to miss more than one test, must address that with the instructor.  




Classroom Etiquette

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 such as 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.
  
Classroom Etiquette
Interaction with other students in an online class may be different than in a face-to-face classroom, but the same basic rules of courtesy apply.  You will be interacting with others in the discussion boards of this class (bonus points on the next lecture test may be earned by appropriate participation in the discussion boards).  Students are to be courteous to other students and to the instructor, and I will also endeavor to be courteous to you.  Please feel free to ask questions pertaining to the material being covered from the chapters for the upcoming test.  When you email your instructor at charlotte.barker@lsco.edu, please identify yourself by name and by your class and section number (Bio 1322.80F).


Exam Policy

Exam Policy

Exam Policy: Your lecture grade will be derived from three regular examinations (up to 100 points each), a dietary analysis project (up to 50 points), and a final examination.  Exams:  There will be three regular tests as shown on the class semester schedule.  They will cover material from lecture and from the text.  Lecture tests usually include 50 – 66 questions and are worth a possible 100 points each 
  
Final exam:  The fourth test (Final Exam) is comprehensive.  It usually includes 60 to 80  questions.  You must take the final exam even if you didn’t miss any tests earlier in the semester.

-Day Diet Analysis Project: Each student will perform a 7-day Dietary Analysis Project, using Cronometer (www.cronometer.com).  The analysis will include data on your diet for seven consecutive days.  The analysis will include 3 parts:  the data/food log, the printout of the weekly overview chronometer.com pages, and the type-written analysis that you make of your own diet based on the chronometer.com results. The type-written analysis also includes a cover page and a works cited page.  The dietary analysis is worth a possible 50 points and is required (Not extra credit).  See the syllabus lecture schedule for the due date.  More information will be available on the information page I will post in Content.  The dietary analysis is a requirement of the course and is worth up to 50 points.

All tests taken for the nursing prerequisite course Biol 1322 must be proctored. Respondus is the proctoring system in usage in the online Bio 1322 Nutrition classes this year at LSCO. You will not be able to take an online Bio 1322 test without having downloaded and using the Respondus lockdown browser.

There are two options available:
1) Take your test at a desktop or laptop, with a webcam, of your choosing using the Respondus proctoring program. This desktop or laptop must have good internet access. You must Not use any notes, worksheets, test reviews, mastering, powerpoints, internet, or other outside sources.  This is considered to be cheating and will be treated as such. 
2) If a student has excessive difficulty taking the online test using the Respondus proctoring system, or if they just prefer, they can make arrangements with your instructor and the LSCO testing center to take your online lab exam at the LSCO testing center.  Please notify me several days in advance of the test, at cbarker@lsco.edu, if you will be using the testing center.  It requires making an appointment with the testing center personnel (409) 882-3330 for a specific time on one of the two days the test will be available to the class, and letting your instructor know when that appointment is for.  Online tests taken at the LSCO testing center do Not require the use of Respondus because the test is monitored/proctored by the testing center personnel




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

Grading and Evaluation Method

Evaluation Method:
There will be 3 regular exams and a final exam, each of which will be worth 100 points.  If you take all 4 exams, the lowest regular exam grade will be dropped.  The final exam is required and that grade will not be dropped. There will be a dietary analysis paper, which is worth up to 50 points. Grades will be evaluated as follows:
 
A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60

There will be discussion boards in this class.  Appropriate participation in the discussion boards of this class may result in "bonus points" to be added to the next lecture test.

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

Participation Requirements

Participation:
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.)

For this online class, you should check the Contents sections of your class's blackboard site every weekday or so since new material will be added frequently.  You should also make sure that you check for blackboard announcements frequently.

There will be other participation events in this class, outside of the exams.  Some of these will add a few extra points to the next exam such as:  introductory discussion board, content discussion boards, trial run mini test (before first lecture exam).  All discussion boards are posted in Content for a limited number of days and a blackboard announcement made when they are available.

Other items are an integral part of the learning process but are not awarded extra points (since they will help you with the following test) such as:  the worksheets for each chapter (posted in Content in your class's blackboard site) which you do Not turn in, but check your answers after doing the questions by referring to the worksheet key in blackboard which I will post in Content.  Also, there will be a very general test review page for each test, which allows you to make sure you haven't missed studying any major topic addressed on the test.

You will see a participation/attendance score in your class's blackboard site.  This is Not a test score and will Not affect your semester grade directly.  It is used by LSCO to verify eligibility for financial aid, so it is important.




Review of Test Grades

Procedure for 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.  You are welcome to make an appointment to meet with me at my office (AC Room 224B) to go over your test results.  Or you can call me during my regularly scheduled office hours at 409-882-3395 for a phone discussion of your recent test results.


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.


Equal Opportunity to Educational Programs

Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, in admissions, educational programs, student activities or employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Accessibility Coordinator at (409) 882-3393.


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, Joseph Hargrave, at Joseph Hargrave@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.


OASIS (formerly) 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 Accessibility Coordinator at (409) 882-3393 or visit the Advising Office. 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.

Students with questions about the accommodations they receive in class should contact their instructor or the Accessibility Coordinator.


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.


Credit Transfer

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability. Refer to the LSCO Catalog for details on how to handle and resolve transfer disputes with public institutions of higher education in Texas.


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 Court Reporting, 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 at least 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 (Complaints Related to Earned Grades)

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 Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.


Prohibited Items in the Classroom

No food or tobacco (including smokeless) 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 Complaints (excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX

LSCO believes that all matters involving a staff member (non-instructor) OR an instructor are best resolved directly with the employee. Should it not be resolved at that level, access and complete the Student Complaint Intake form within five (5) business days from the date of the offense. The Student Complaint Intake Form can be found in any of these locations:

• LSCO Website (Current Students)
• LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
• MyGator Card
• Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)

After a student completes the Student Complaint Intake Form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee unrelated to the offense and provided guidance on how to proceed with the Complaint process.

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.


Student Complaints (involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX:

Students who have experienced a safety, harassment, or title IX event should access and complete the Title IX/Clery: Anonymous Reporting Form found in any of these locations:

• LSCO Website (Sexual Misconduct & Title IX)
• LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
• MyGator Card
• Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)

After a student completes the intake form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee and provided guidance on how to proceed.

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.


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 Catalog. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook.