LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Registered Nursing

RNSG, 1300, Health Assessment Across Life, 21

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name Susan Harris
Building/Office Number Allied Health Building (AHB), Room 231
Office Hours By appointment
Virtual Hours By appointment
Office Telephone (409) 883-7750
Email Address susan.harris@lsco.edu


Course Description

RNSG 1300 ............................................ 3-2-2 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (51.3801) Development of skills and techniques required for a comprehensive nursing health assessment of patients across the lifespan. Includes assessment of patients' health promotion and maintenance, illness and injury prevention and restoration, and application of the nursing process within a legal/ethical framework. Prerequisite: Completion of a Vocational/Practical Nursing program or Administrative approval, BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402. TEC.


Required Textbook & Materials
Jarvis, Carolyn (2024). Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 9th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier

Jarvis, Carolyn (2024). Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing for Jarvis Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 9th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier
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
Students will communicate their knowledge of health care concepts by documenting their ideas and conclusions and be able to support those findings with evidence-based research. Critical Thinking Skills: Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information. Text reading. Adaptive quizzes to demonstrate reading comprehension. Skills Checkoffs to demonstrate skill mastery.  Discussion Board Postings for problem solving activity.
Students will communicate effectively during report and when reporting changes in patient status.  They will also communicate effectively in the classroom setting during classroom discussions.  Communication Skills: Effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication. Discussion boards and responding to their peer's posts.  Skills checkoffs to demonstrate skill mastery.
Students will communicate their knowledge of health assessment by documenting their ideas and conclusions and be able to support those findings with evidence-based research. Empirical and Quantitative Skills:  Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. Adaptive quizzes to demonstrate reading comprehension.  Skills checkoffs to demonstrate skill mastery.  Discussion board postings for problem solving activity.
Students will actively engage in discussion board and respond to classmate's post. Teamwork:  Ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal. Discussion board and responding to their peer's posts.
Students will participate in activities that promote social responsibility and accountability. Social Responsibility: Intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities. Campus technology, including Blackboard, library resources, web searches. Use of evidence-based practice in performing assessments.  Group practice and skills checkoffs, including peer feedback.  Quizzes to demonstrate knowledge of health promotion/maintenance.  Read and respond discussion board.
Students will participate in activities that promote personal responsibility, accountability, and ethical decision making. Personal Responsibility:  Ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making. Campus technology, including Blackboard, library resources, web searches. Use of evidence-based practice in performing assessments.  Group practice and skills checkoffs, including peer feedback.  Quizzes to demonstrate knowledge of health promotion/maintenance.

 

    
Course Level Learning Outcomes (WECM) Student learning Outcomes with Educational Competencies (EC) and Differentiated Educations Competencies (DECs) Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Demonstrate techniques utilized in the nursing health assessment of individuals across the lifespan. EC: 1,2,3,4,5
DECS: II B 3		 Skills Checkoffs to demonstrate skill mastery. 
Perform systematic physical assessment using appropriate equipment and techniques for all body systems. EC 1,2,3,4,5 Skills Checkoffs to demonstrate skill mastery.  
Utilize cognitive and psychomotor skills in assessing patients' physiological health and psychological status. EC 1,2,3,4,5 Adaptive quizzes to demonstrate reading comprehension.  Skills Checkoffs to demonstrate skill mastery.
Document findings utilizing appropriate terminology and legal/ethical format. EC 1,2,3,4,5
DECS: II C 2 a		 Providing verbal reports following Skill Checkoffs.  Discussion Board postings for problem solving activities and responding to peer's posts.
Identify legal and ethical standards related to health assessment. EC: 1,2,4,5
DECS: D 1 b		 Adaptive quizzes to demonstrate reading comprehension.  Discussion Board postings for problem solving activities and responding to peer's posts. 




Course Topical Outline

 
General Course Information		 1 Course Objectives  1-16-2024
2 Course Syllabus  
3 Course Calendar  
4 Textbook Information  
5 Instructor Contact Information  
       
 
Module
One
 
Getting Started		   Module One Learning Activities:  
  Orientation PowerPoint  
  Adaptive Quizzing Information  
  Textbook Registration  
  Course Grading Calculation / Discussion Board Rubric  
  Tips for Checkoffs and Quizzes  
  Review Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,10  
  On Campus Course Orientation and General Survey Skills Check Off Discussion (Not Mandatory but HIGHLY recommended) 1-22-2024
  Module One Graded Activities:  
  Read and Respond Due 1-29-2024
       
 
Module
Two
 
General
Survey,
Head and
Neck
 
 		   Module Two Learning Activities  
  Review the General Survey Objectives  
  Read Chapters 9,14-17  
  Read Chapters 6,7,8,10,11  
  Review the General Survey PowerPoint  
  Watch the General Survey Demo Video  
  Last Day to Drop without Penalty*** 1-31-2024
  Module Two Graded Activities:  
  Introductory Video Due 1159 PM 1-29-2024
  General Survey Checkoff 2-12-2024
  Adaptive Quiz One Due (Ch 9,14-17) Opens 1-29-2024 2-5-2024
  Adaptive Quiz Two Due (Ch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Opens 2-5-2024 2-12-2024
       
 
 
Module
Three
 
Respiratory
Assessment		   Module Three Learning Activities  
  Review the Respiratory System Objectives  
  Read Chapter 18, 19  
  Review the Respiratory System PowerPoint  
  Watch the Respiratory System Demo Video  
  Practice performing the Respiratory System Assessment  
  Module Three Graded Activities:  
  Adaptive Quiz Three Due (Ch 6,7, 8 10,11) Opens 2-19-2024 2-26-2024
  Adaptive Quiz 4 Due (Ch 19) Opens 2-26-2024 3-4-2024
  Respiratory Assessment Checkoff 3-4-2024
       
 
 
Module
Four
 
Cardiac
Assessment		   Module Four Learning Activities  
  Review the Cardiac System Objectives  
  Read Chapter 13, 20 and 21  
  Review the Cardiac System PowerPoint  
  Watch the Cardiac System Demo Video  
  Practice performing the Respiratory System Assessment  
  Module Four Graded Activities:  
  Adaptive Quiz Five Due (Ch 18) Opens 3-18-2024 3-25-2024
  Spring Break 3-11-2024 to 3-15-2024
  Cardiac Assessment Checkoff  4-1-2024
  Adaptive Quiz Six Due (Ch 13,20,21) Opens 3-25-2024 4-1-2024
       
 
 
Module
Five
 
Abdominal
Assessment		   Module Five Learning Activities  
  Review the Abdominal System Objectives  
  Read Chapter 22  
  Review the Abdominal System PowerPoint  
  Watch the Abdominal System Demo Video  
  Practice performing the Abdominal System Assessment  
  Module Five Graded Activities:  
  Adaptive Quiz 7 Due (Ch 22) Opens 4-8-2024 4-15-2024
  Abdominal Assessment Checkoff  4-22-2024
    Adaptive Quiz 8 Due (Ch 23, 24) Opens 4-15-2024 4-22-2024
 
FINAL		   Final Module Learning Activities  
  Read Chapters 28, 29, 30 and 32  
  Graded Activity:  
  Discussion Board Due by 11:59 PM Opens 4-8-2024 4-29-2024
  LAST DAY TO DROP*** 4-15-2024
  Adaptive Quiz Final Exam Due Opens 5-1-2024 5-6-2024




Major Assignments Schedule

See course calendar.


Final Exam Date

May 1, 2024 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 6, 2024 - 5:00 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.



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.




Make-up Work Policy

There are no provisions for make-up work in this course.  Assignments, adaptive quizzing, and checkoffs are due on scheduled dates.  




Classroom Etiquette

Face-to-Face - No food, drink, tobacco, cell phones, etc.

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

Hybrid - When face-to-face meetings in the classroom are replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.




Exam Policy

Checkoffs:  Students who are absent or "no show" for a scheduled checkoff will receive a "zero" for that scheduled checkoff and must drop or withdraw from the course.

Adaptive Quizzes and Final:  There will be no provisions for late or make-up quizzes or for the final.

Exam Policy:  Checkoffs are the exams in this course.  Students must receive at least 75% to "pass" the checkoff.  Students unable to meet the 75% required score on a checkoff must drop the course.  

If the student receives a score of less than 75% on the checkoff, they will be given one opportunity to perform the checkoff again immediately after the unsuccessful attempt, with a 10-point penalty deducted from their score.  If the student is unsuccessful on that repeat checkoff, the student then must drop the course.  If the student has a question or concern regarding the grade, the student must contact the instructor within three days of the grade being given.




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

Read and Respond:
One percent (1%) of the course grade is based on the read and respond section in the discussion board.  Students are required to answer a series of questions within the discussion board, indicating that they have read the syllabus, understand the grading criteria, and how to contact the instructor.

Introductory Video:  
One percent (1%) of the course grade is based on the Introductory Video to be posted in the Discussion Board.

Didactic Evaluation:
Students are highly encouraged to register their textbook through the Evolve website (listed on the inside cover of your book).  This is where all the "Key Points," videos, and practice questions are listed to study for your Adaptive Quizzing and Checkoffs.

Adaptive Quizzes:
Students are required to complete the required quizzes by the due date.  Due dates are posted in the Blackboard course content under the calendar as well as in the course topical outline.  There are eight (8) Adaptive Quizzes scheduled throughout the semester.  Quizzes will each count as 3% and will comprise 24% of the course grade and will be given per Adaptive Quizzing on the Elsevier Evolve website.  All quizzes are based on course/topic objectives.  There will be no provisions for late or make-up quizzes.  Each quiz will open on the Monday before the due date at 8am and will close on the due date at 5pm.  Remember- if you are even one second late submitting the quiz, you will receive a zero.  

Final Quiz (Adaptive Quiz):
A Comprehensive Final Quiz will be given in adaptive quizzing during finals week.  There will be no provision for a make-up final quiz. The Final Quiz will count 9% of your course grade.

National Health Issues Discussion Board Assignment:
The Discussion Board Assignment is designed to help students communicate 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.  The discussion board assignment will have specific opening and closing dates and times.  The student will be expected to post an initial response to the discussion board assignment topic.  In addition, you must read and post a substantial response to two other student's posts to receive complete credit for the assignment.  Discussions must be completed by the due date and submitted through Blackboard to receive credit.  Late submissions will not be graded.  There are no provisions for late or make-up discussion board assignments.  The Discussion Board Assignment will count as 5% of the course grade.


A final Skills Checkoff grade of 75% and a final course grade of 75% or higher is necessary for the student to pass this course as required for the RN Transition Program.  The final course grade is calculated as follows:

A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 75 - 79%
D = 60 - 74% (NOT transferable to RN Transition Program)
F = 0 - 59%  (NOT transferable to RN Transition Program)

The final course grade is calculated as noted below.  Total points available = 100 points

Course Grading Criteria
Skills Lab – Check Off (CO) Didactic Evaluation
Introductory Video                                                    1%
 
CO 1 General Survey, Head and Neck                   15%                                                 
CO 2 Respiratory                                                    15%                                           
CO 3 Cardiac & Peripheral Vascular (PV)              15%                   
 
CO 4 – Abdomen                                                     15%
 		 1 – Read and Respond                              1%
 
8 - Adaptive Quizzes (3% each)                24%
                           
Final Adaptive Quiz                                    9%
 
1 Discussion Board                                    5%

TOTAL   Lab                                                            61%
Must have an average of 75% in lab section grade (independent of all other grades) to pass this course		 TOTAL  Lecture                                       39%
 

To progress in this course, independent of all other course requirements, students must: Students who are unable to meet the Skills Lab requirements listed above must drop this course. 



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

Please note: Skills Assessment Grading Criteria: Students will be graded on patient education and instructions, assessment technique, and verbal documentation.  Students are not allowed to refer to notes at any time during the checkoff.





Review of Test Grades

If a student scores less than 75% on a quiz, the student is encouraged to make an appointment within one week after the quiz.  At that time, the student reviews the quiz content and identifies strategies to improve performance. 

Review of the check-off will occur immediately after the check-off. If the student receives a score less than 75% on the check-off, they will be given one opportunity to perform the check-off again immediately after the unsuccessful attempt, with a 10-point penalty deducted from their score.  If the student is unsuccessful on that repeat check-off, the student then must drop the course.  If the student has a question or concern regarding the grade, the student must contact the instructor within three days of the grade being given.


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.