LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

ENGL, 1301, Composition I, 80F

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name Andrew Preslar
Building/Office Number Academic Center (AC), Room 210
Office Hours By appointment only (I may or may not have an on-campus office, but we we can meet at any mutually-agreed-upon location on campus designated for student use at any time that would be convenient for you)
Virtual Hours Online: MW 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM     
Office Telephone (409) 882-3357
Email Address andy.preslar@lsco.edu
Course Schedule Building: Online, Room: TBA, Dates: 8/25/2025 - 10/17/2025, Days: TBA, Times: TBA
Course Description ENGL 1301 3-3-0 Composition I (23.1301) Principles and intensive study and practice in techniques of written, expository, and persuasive composition; expository and persuasive texts; and critical thinking. Prerequisite: Passing English placement test(s). AC.

Required Textbook & Materials
Everyone’s an Author, With Readings. 4th edition. Andrea Lunsford, et al. Norton, 2023. Electronic Resource.  Barnes &Noble webpage.
 
Little Seagull Handbook. 4th ed. (Included at no extra cost with primary text.) Electronic Resource.  Barnes &Noble webpage.
 
Both texts will be accessible by links embedded in the Blackboard course for students who opt in to the Gator Book Pack program.
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  Core Objective Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes Communication, teamwork Students will learn and use the process approach to writing (including prewriting, drafting, revision, and preparation of the final document) to prepare a minimum of four essays in a variety of rhetorical and analytical styles and addressing a range of potential audiences and rhetorical dynamics; students will participate in collaborative activities involving invention, drafting, peer review, and presentation. Assessment measures will include quiz and exam questions, contributions to group conversations, and strategic planning artifacts.
Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution. Communication, critical thinking Students will review samples of well-developed and poorly developed essays and demonstrate discernment of the distinctions; students will develop appropriately focused topics with authoritative, rich content organized effectively and supporting a college-level thesis; students will explore research options, selecting relevant and credible information, unambiguously distinguish source material from original content with appropriate in-text citations, and document sources properly using an approved documentation style.  Assessment measures will include selected individual, collaborative, and reflective exercises from the text; essays; and a library research project.
Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose. Communication:  critical thinking Students will read sample essays anthologized from a variety of different publications and will discern target audiences and authors’ purposes; required essay assignments will address a variety of writing situations and purposes, from personal to informative to persuasive, at varying levels of formality and technicality and to varying audiences.  Assessment measures will include essays and projects.
Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts. Communication, critical thinking Students will read sample essays from a wide variety of different publications and will discern target audiences and authors’ purposes; required essay assignments will address a variety of writing situations and purposes, from personal to informative to persuasive, at varying levels of formality and technicality and to varying audiences.  Assessment measures will include essays, quiz and exam items, and projects.
Use Edited American English in academic essays. Communication Students will complete an independent learning plan; students will correct nonstandard constructions in graded essays; students will track deviations from standard Edited American English across a range of writing assignments. Assessment measures include an objective pre- and post-instructional achievement test; editing exercises; and student error logs.




Course Topical Outline

Unit One Writing process, grammar, mechanics, teamwork (projects required)
Unit Two Narrative and descriptive writing (essay required)
Unit Three Exemplification (no essay or project required)
Unit Four Process Analysis (essay required)
Unit Five Research processes, methods, collaboration, citations (project required)
Unit Six Comparison and Contrast (essay required)
Unit Seven Classification (no essay or project required)
Unit Eight Definition (no essay or project required)
Unit Nine Causal Analysis (no essay or project required)
Unit Ten Persuasion and Final Exam (short essay and objective exam required)




Major Assignments Schedule

Week 1: 08-25-08/29
                        Begin Unit 1
                        Introductions: review syllabus, course policies, overview
                        Complete Diagnostic Test of Grammar and Style (completion grade)  
                        study process approach to writing: invention and strategic planning
                                        readings:
                                          Bb Unit 1: process outline (prewriting stage)
                                                          writing process: videos
                                                        PowerPoint slides
                                          text: pp. 5-37 (review topic headings; skim text)
                        review grading criteria
                                    readings:
                                      (rubric: Bb content) 
                        understanding rhetorical situations
                                    readings:
                                       text: read pp. 54-60,
                                                              pp. 64-67
                                                              pp. 71-78
                                       review Bb Reading Enhancement module (all files)
                        study process approach to writing: drafting and revising
                                    readings:
                                         Bb Unit 1: writing process (drafting, revising stages)
                                                          Writing process: outline
                                                          writing process: videos
                                                          PowerPoint slides
                        Complete Quiz 1: Writing Process (answers come from Bb Unit 1 content)         
                       Begin Unit 2
                       narration and description: elements and strategies
                                    readings:
                                       text: read pp. 200-215
                                                      pp. 220-224
                                                      pp. 463-465
                                       Bb content: Unit 2 notes, files
                        begin preparing essay 1: descriptive narration
                                    reading:
                                        Bb: unit 2 (continue exploring all files)
                        Complete Discussion 1
Week 2: 09/02-09/05
                        Continue Unit 1 (ongoing)
                        review results of Diagnostic Test of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage results
                        prepare and submit Diagnostic Test Self-Score Sheet
                        Continue Unit 2
                        Complete Quiz 2: Descriptive Narration (answers come from Week 1 reading, Bb Unit 2 content)
                                    reading:
                                       text, pp. 225-233 (suggested)
                        prepare Essay 1 (complete all 5 steps of prewriting; show revisions on draft)
                        Q&A forum: essay 1 (Bb Collaborate session available on request)
Week 3: 09/08-09/12            
                        Complete Unit 2
                        Submit Essay 1: descriptive narration (completed essay, prewriting, revisions)
                        Begin Unit 3: Classes of writing and Expository Writing
                        modes and strategies: four classes of writing:
                                    reading: Bb content
                                            focus on exposition
                        exemplification strategy, readings
                                    reading:
                                       text, pp. 463, 465-466
                                       Bb Unit 3 content
                        Complete Quiz 3: exemplification / illustration(use notes from Bb Unit 3)
                        Begin Unit 4: Process Analysis
                        begin to review other strategies of exposition: process analysis
                                    reading:
                                       text, pp. 248-250, 272-273
                                       Bb Unit 4 content
                        Complete Discussion 3
Week 4: 09/15-09/19
                        Unit 2: essay 1 returned
                        Complete Essay 1 grading log
                        Review teamwork project (opens 09/15)
                        Unit 4: Process Analysis
                        preparing essay 2: process analysis
                        review essay 2 assignment description: process analysis (Bb Unit 4)
                        process analysis readings
                                    reading:
                                       Bb Unit 4 (open all links and review all files)
                        Complete Quiz 4: process analysis
                        Continue Unit 1 (ongoing)
                        begin teamwork project: collaborative editing
                                    reading:
                                       text: pp. 136-137, 138-141 
                                       Bb Unit 1 content as directed in course instructions
                                       Little Seagull Handbook: as needed (use contents and index)
                        begin Proficiency Enhancement Plan (PEP) (continued from Bb Unit 1)
                                    reading:
                                       Bb Unit 1 (as directed in course instructions)
                                       Little Seagull Handbook: as needed (use contents and index)
                        review corrections process
                        set up corrections log
                        begin preparation of Proficiency Enhancement Plan
                       Complete Discussion 4
Week 5: 09/22-09/26
                        Complete Unit 4: Process Analysis
                        Submit Essay 2 (completed essay, prewriting, revisions)
                        Unit 5: Research processes, methods, collaboration, citations
                        Review library project: research and documentation
                                    reading:
                                       text, pp. 490-504
                                       Bb Unit 5 content
                        Continue Unit 1 (ongoing)
                        Submit initial draft of Proficiency Enhancement Plan
                        Unit 6: Comparison and Contrast
                        begin examination of comparison/contrast
                                    reading:
                                       text, pp. 453-455, 458-460
                                       Bb Unit 6 content
                                         “Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts” (multiple files)
                                          Essay 3 assignment description
                        Complete Quiz 5: “Grant and Lee”
Week 6: 09/29-10/03
                        Unit 1 (ongoing)
                        Continue work on Proficiency Enhancement Plan
                        Unit 4: Process Analysis
                        Essay 2 returned with commentary
                        Complete Essay 2 grading log
                        Unit 5: Research and Documentation
                        Submit library project
                        Unit 6: Comparison and Contrast
                        Complete Discussion 5
                        begin drafting Essay 3
                        Begin Unit 7: Classification and Division (no essay required)
                                     reading:
                                       text, pp. 457-58
                                       Bb files (sample essays included)
                        Complete Quiz 6 (over Classification and Division samples in Bb)
Week 7: 10/06-10/10
                        Unit 1 (ongoing)
                        Submit Proficiency Enhancement Plan Progress Report (1-2 paragraphs)
                        Complete Achievement Test of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage
                        Complete Unit 6: Comparison and Contrast
                        Submit Essay 3: comparison and contrast
                        Begin Unit 8: Definition (no essay or project required)
                                    reading:
                                       text, 461-462
                                      Bb: Unit 8 content files
                        Complete optional Quiz 7: Definition (extra credit)
                        Begin Unit 9: Causal Analysis
                        examination of causal analysis and readings
                                  reading:
                                      text: pp. 250, 273, 455-56
                                      Bb: Unit 9 content files
                        Complete optional Quiz 8: Causal Analysis (extra credit)
                        Unit 6: Comparison and Contrast
                        Essay 3 returned with commentary
                        Submit completed Essay 3 correction log
Week 8: 10/13-10/17
                        Unit 1 (ongoing)
                        Submit Proficiency Enhancement Plan Reflection Exercise
                        Unit 10: Persuasion
                        strategies for organizing and developing persuasion:
                        recognizing and evaluating the three appeals
                                 reading:
                                    text, pp. 421-428, 441-447
                                            pp. 453-475 (skim)      
                                    Bb: Unit 10 content files
                        review logical fallacies (file in Bb content)
                        persuasion: emphasizing the rational appeal: Toulmin reasoning
                        persuasion: audience considerations for tone: Rogerian strategies
                        persuasion: recognizing and avoiding fallacies
                        review persuasion essay assignment description: final exam
                        complete final exam objective component
                        Submit Personal Responsibility Self-Assessment (Final exam essay)
                        
                        Final Exam Objective Exam due 10/15
                     Final Exam Essay Due Date 10/17
 
Assignment Due Dates (optional or extra credit assignment due dates not included)
 
Diagnostic Test of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage (08/28)
08/29: Quiz 1: Writing Process (01/17)
Discussion 1: 09/02
Diagnostic Test Self-Score Sheet (09/03)
Quiz 2: Descriptive Narration (09/05)
Essay 1: Descriptive Narration (09/08)
Discussion 2 (09/09)
Quiz 3: Exemplification / Illustration (09/12)
Discussion 3 (09/12)
Quiz 4: Process Analysis (09/14)
Essay 2: Process Analysis (09/22)
Discussion 4 (09/23)
Quiz 5: Comparison/Contrast (09/24)
Teamwork project (09/26)
Discussion 5 (09/30)
Library Project (10/01)
Quiz 6: Classification and Division (10/03)
Essay 3: Comparison and Contrast (10/06)
Achievement Test of Grammar. Mechanics, and Usage (10/08)
Proficiency Enhancement Plan Progress Report (10/10)
Proficiency Enhancement Plan Reflection Exercise (10/13)
Final Exam: Objective Component (10/15)
Final Exam: Personal Responsibility Self-Assessment (10/17


Final Exam Date

October 15, 2025 - 12:00 AM   Through  October 17, 2025 - 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.

Incidents of academic dishonesty are a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. 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, including academic dishonesty.
NOTE: Students must complete their own work in this course. Students are prohibited from using AI to generate essays, discussion postings, or other work submitted for course credit. Students are also prohibited from using any search engine during exams or quizzes, unless explicitly authorized by the instructor to do so for specific assignments. While LSCO institutional policy does permit use of AI and internet search tools in certain instances and with instructor permission, use of AI or internet searches to generate some or all elements of required compositions or other coursework constitutes an infraction of this course’s Academic Honesty policy.  




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.




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 is mandatory and will be monitored by the instructor. Failure to log in and complete required work for more than one calendar week will prompt an inquiry and may result in the levying of a penalty of points deducted from the student's final average for excessive absence. Student must communicate with the instructor prior to any absence which may require submission of work after posted deadlines.

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a drop or withdrawal, even if the student is seriously ill or has been injured. It is furthermore the responsibility of the student who chooses to drop a class to personally verify that the drop form is completed and processed on or before the deadline dates. Students who do not attend class and who fail to drop or withdraw from the course will receive a final grade of “F” for the course.


Make-up Work Policy

Make-up Work (No Penalty Assessed):

 
Due dates are important elements of most major college assignments. A student who misses or submits late work with prior approval may make up the missed work according to a schedule determined by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor BEFORE THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION of the assignment in question. Appropriate documentation may also be required. A student who fails to communicate with the instructor prior to the deadline being missed or who fails to give an acceptable reason for the late submission WILL be penalized as late work (see below).
 
Late work (penalty assessed):
 
Assignments are due on the due date, at the time stipulated in Blackboard to be the assignment or test deadline. Major projects (research, writing, or presentation projects, tests) submitted after the deadline without prior authorization will be considered late and will be penalized 5 points per calendar day or portion of a calendar day late. Homework and quizzes will not be accepted late without instructor permission. Emergent or exigent circumstances could mitigate the application of this policy.
           
Work submitted after a deadline but with prior approval may be rescheduled only with the instructor’s permission. See section entitled “Make-up Work” for further information regarding penalty-free submission of late work.




Classroom Etiquette


Exam Policy

Quizzes and the final exam will be administered online. No-cost electronic proctoring or use of a lock-down browser may be required (with prior notice) for assignments bearing course credit.
 
Monitor course communications multiple times each week to ensure access and to prevent late submissions.




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 = 900 or more total course points

B = 800-899 total course points
C = 700 – 799 total course points
D = 600 – 699 total course points
F = below 60 total course points
 
The student's grade will be determined by compiling scores on the following assignments:  
(1,100 total course points possible)

This course is included in the LSCO Quality Enhancement Plan initiative, called GPS. Part of this plan calls for students who receive grades below “C” on major assignments or whose class average falls below a “C” to attend mandatory tutoring twice weekly, until grades rise above the minimum acceptable threshold. Click here to learn more.





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

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

Students wishing to review or contest a grade for a major assignment should contact the instructor within three (3) calendar days of the class period in which the student receives the grade, and no later than three (3) class periods prior to the end of the term.


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, Rebecca Gentry, at Rebecca.Gentry@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:



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:



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.