LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Vocational Nursing

RNSG, 1327, Transition to Professional Nur, 20

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name	Suzanne Baker
Building/Office Number	Nursing and Classroom Building (NCB), Room 202
Office Hours	M-W 2:30p-4:30p  Thursday 730a-1130a
Virtual Hours	Available by Appointment
Office Telephone	(409) 882-3301
Email Address	suzanne.baker@lsco.edu
Course Schedule	Building: Stark Nursing Classroom Bldg (NCB), Room: 106, Dates: 5/28/2024 - 8/6/2024, Days: W, Times: - 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Course Description	RNSG 1327 ............................................ 3-2-4 Transition to Professional Nursing (51.3801) Content includes health promotion, expanded assessment, analysis of data, critical thinking skills and systematic problem-solving process, pharmacology, interdisciplinary teamwork, communication, and applicable competencies in knowledge, judgment, skills, and professional values within a legal/ethical framework throughout the life span. Prerequisite: Admission to the Registered Nursing Transition Program. RSNG 1300 Health Assessment RNSG 1311 Nursing Pathophysiology BIOL 2401 (2301/2101) & BIOL 2402 (2302/2102) Anatomy and Physiology I & II BIOL 2420 Introductory Microbiology ENGL 1301 Composition MATH 1314 College Algebra co requisite: RNSG 2261 Clinical I. To receive credit for RNSG 1327, the course must be successfully completed simultaneously with RNSG 2261

Required Textbook & Materials
Evolve Resources:
Burkhardt, Margaret A., and Nathaniel, Alvita K. (2021). Ethics and issues in contemporary nursing. Elsevier.
Evolve RN Case Studies and Practice tests
Sylvestri and Sylvestri HESI online Rev/NCLEX -RN EX AC 4e

FA Davis Book Bundle:
Castillo: Dosage Calc 360 3e
Davis Nursing Consult (2 year)
Davis's Nursing Skills Video for RN (2 year)
Hoffman: Davis Advantage for Medical-Surgical Nursing 3e
Morgan: Davis Advantage for Townsend's Essentials of Psychiatric Mental-Health Nursing 9e
Ohman: Davis's Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN 4e
Savage: Public/Community Health and Nursing Practice 3e
Scannell/Ruggiero: Davis Advantage for Maternal-Child Nursing Care 3e
Treas: Davis Advantage for Wilkinson's Fundamentals of Nursing (2 Volume Set) 5e



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 Level Learning Outcomes (WECM)	Student learning Outcomes with Educational Competencies (EC) and Differentiated Educational Competencies (DECs)	Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects
Differentiate between roles of the professional nurse as provider of patient-centered care, patient safety advocate, member of the health care team, and member of the profession and other licensed health care providers in a variety of health care settings;	Differentiate the difference between the roles of the professional nurse and other disciplines while providing safe/ethical care to patients and their families throughout the lifespan. EC 1,5 DECs: I A 1a; II D 1b, c, d; III B 3a,c, V A 4b, B 2b, 4, C 3	Complete case studies, and patient care simulations with pre- and post-simulation activities which may include case studies, care plans, and review of journal articles for evidence-based practice. Participate in blogs or discussion boards. Exams
utilize clinical reasoning processes and clinical judgment in planning comprehensive care for patients and their families;	Utilize critical thinking skills to plan comprehensive care for patients and their families throughout the lifespan. EC 1,5D DECs: I B1a, c; II A1b, 3, B 2,4, C 1a, b, 3; III B 1 a,b,c, C 2; IV B 1 a	Complete case studies, and patient care simulations with pre- and post-simulation activities which may include case studies, care plans, and review of journal articles for evidence-based practice. Participate in blogs or discussion boards. Exams
demonstrate skills for safe basic professional nursing care.	Develop and demonstrate skills for basic safe practice of professional nursing and demonstrate the ability to ask for help when unsure of the process for performing the skill. EC 1,3 DECs:  I B 7a, b, D1; II A 4, B 6,7,8,10, D 1a, 3a; III D 1a, b; IV C1, D 2, 3	Complete case studies and patient care simulations with pre- and post-simulation activities which may include case studies, care plans, and review of journal articles for evidence-based practice. Participate in blogs or discussion boards. Exams

Upon completion of RNSG 1327, the student will have been given the opportunity to

• Differentiate between roles and functions of the Licensed Vocational Nurse and Registered Nurse in a variety of health care settings (EC 5)
• Compare the different legal and ethical responsibilities of the Licensed Vocational Nurse and Registered Nurse (EC 5)
• Apply the nursing process in planning comprehensive care for diverse clients and their families (EC 1, 3, 4)
• Apply principles of critical thinking and decision-making when providing nursing care for clients with common health problems (EC 1, 5)
• Discuss the importance of collaborative behavior as a member of the health care team (EC 3, 5); discuss principles of health promotion (EC 2) 
• Apply therapeutic communication skills to maintain effective interpersonal relationships (EC 3); identify principles of and demonstrate skills for safe basic nursing care including medication administration (EC 4, 5)
• 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.

 
The Texas Board of Nursing has identified essential competencies to ensure that nursing graduates will enter the practice as safe and competent nurses.  These Competencies are organized according to four major roles of the nurse:  Member of a Profession, Provider of Patient-Centered Care, Patient Safety Advocate, and Member of the Health Care Team. At the completion of RNSG 1327, the student will have been introduced to the following Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECs) for Diploma and Associate Degree Programs:

1. Member of the Profession:                   A, B, C, D
2. Provider of Patient-­­Centered Care:      A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
3. Patient Safety Advocate:                      A, B, C, D, E, F
4. Member of the Health Care Team:       A, B, C, D

Additional clinical behavior/judgments are outlined in RNSG 2261, the clinical component to RNSG 1327.

RN Transition Nursing Program   SCANS Skills

Course	1 Reading	2 Writing	3 Arithmetic/ Math	4 Speaking/ Listening	5 Thinking Skills	6 Personal Qualities	7 Workplace Competencies	8 Basic Use of Computers
RNSG 1327 Transition from Vocational to Professional Nursing	Text Modules Assignment Tests Websites Equipment Tools Assessment Homework	Homework Assignments Documentation of Nursing Process Tests	Calculation of grades Medication administration	Lecture discussion Small group work Lab presentations	Homework Exams Lab assignments	Completion of course requirements, Group work Exams Patient Care	Skills lab completion Exams and learner assessments	Assignments, Exams Word processing

 
General Education Outcomes
Upon completion of the course the successful student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies and mastery of the associated learning outcomes at a level consistent with the achievement and performance expected for college students:
 

Core Objectives	Associated Class Activities	Associated Measures
Critical Thinking Skills: Creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.	Activities: Students will communicate their knowledge of Health care concepts by documenting their ideas and conclusions and be able to support those findings with evidence-based research.	Measures: Exams to demonstrate content mastery. Problem Solving Activities Discussion Board Case Studies Basic Math and Dosage Calculation Adaptive quizzing assignments
Communication Skills: Effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.	Activities: Students will communicate effectively in the clinical setting during report and when reporting changes in patient status. They will also communicate effectively in the classroom setting during classroom discussions.	Measures: Discussion boards and responding to their peer’s posts, written examinations. Written assignments, group assignments. Clinical evaluations
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.	Activities: Dosage calculations in the clinical setting. Using assessment data to make an informed clinical decision for patient care	Measures: Math questions on written examinations. Math questions in discussion boards.  Math questions in simulation activities. Clinical evaluations
Teamwork: Ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.	Activities: Clinical experiences Simulation experiences Group assignments	Measures: Written examination and groups assignments clinical evaluations and group evaluations
Social Responsibility: Intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.	Activities: students will participate in activities that promote social responsibility, accountability	Measures: Participate in clinical experiences in any and all areas without regard for the status of the patient. Participate in all simulations regarding social situations and ethical questions.
Personal Responsibility: Ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.	Activities: students will participate in activities that promote personal responsibility, accountability, and ethical decision making	Measures: Participate in handoff report in clinical reporting to clinical on time and in uniform maintaining current immunization status and CPR status. Participate in all simulation experiences regarding ethical legal situations.

Course Topical Outline

Introduction VN to RN	Foundations, Collaboration & Care Coordination, Cultural Considerations, Ethical Concepts, Evolution of Nursing Thought & Action, Clinical Judgment, Steps of Nursing Process, Evidence-Based Practice: Theory & Research, Ethics & Values, Communicating & Therapeutic Relationships, Patient Education, Documenting & Reporting, Measuring Vital Signs, Health Assessment, Promoting Asepsis & Preventing Infection, Promoting Safety, Facilitating Hygiene, Administering  Medications, Community & Home Health Nursing, Nursing Informatics, and Leading & Managing.
Age Related Changes, End of Life Care	OB Core Concepts of Maternal & Pediatric Health, Palliative Care & End of Life Issues, Geriatric Implications for Med/Surg Nursing, Pediatric End of Life Care, and Sleep & Rest.
Growth & Development	Caring for the Developing Child, Developmentally Appropriate Care, Life Span: Infancy through Middle Adulthood, Life Span: Older Adults, Promoting Wellness: Health & Illness, Stress & Adaptation, Psychosocial Health & Illness, Promoting Family Health, Caring in Multicultural Healthcare Environments, Spirituality, and Experiencing Loss.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing	Mental Health/Mental Illness, Biological Implications, Ethical/Legal Issues, Psychopharmacology, Relationship Development/Therapeutic Communication, Nursing Process in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Psychosocial Interventions & Spiritual Care, Survivors of Abuse & Neglect, The Bereaved Individual, Cultural Concepts, and Human Sexuality/Gender Dysphoria.
Oxygen Therapy/ & Pain Management	Oxygen Therapy Management, Pain Management, Complementary/Alternative Care Initiatives, Sensation, Perception, Response, and Pain, Oxygenation.
Fluid Electrolyte/Acid Base	Fluid & Electrolyte Management, Acid-Base Balance, Overview of Infusion Therapies, Hydration & Homeostasis, Assessment of Cardiovascular Function, Assessment of Endocrine Function, Assessment of Gastrointestinal Function, and Assessment of Renal & Urinary Function.
Immune	Assessment of Immune Function, Immune Disorders, Connective Tissue Disorders, Multi Drug Resistant Oraganism Infectious Disorders, HIV, Pediatric Immunological or Infectious Conditions, Assessment of Hematological Funtion, and Assessment of Integumentary Function.
Eye/Ear	Assessment of Visual Function, Visual Disorders, Assessment of Auditory Function, Hearing Disorders, and Pediatric Eye/Ear.
Nutrition/Obesity	Nutrition, Skin Integrity & Wound Healing, and Obesity.

Major Assignments Schedule


1. There are five instructor generated exams, two HESI exams (PN to RN and Fundamentals) and a comprehensive instructor generated final exam. The exams are administered on the computer to simulate state board exams.
2. There are 3 math quizzes. 
3. The final exam is a comprehensive instructor generated exam.
4. Exam Remediation assigned in FA Davis following each exam. 
5. Remediation as assigned following each HESI exam.
6. FA Davis/Davis Advantage assignments: Personalized Learning Pre-Class assigments, Personalized Learning/Quizzing assignments, and Clinical Judgement assignments.
7. Dosage Calc 360 assignments. 
8. Syllabus Quiz and Read and Respond :The quiz and Read and Respond shows that you have read, understand, and will abide by the syllabus. 
9. Personal Introduction discussion board.
10.Lab assignments.



Final Exam Date

August 1, 2024 - 9:00 AM   Through  August 1, 2024 - 12:00 PM


COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty

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

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


Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Cheating –
• Using unauthorized resources during exams, including but not limited to cheat sheets, cell phones, internet sites, talking with other students about or during an exam or looking at another students’ exam.
• Purchasing a paper or test information from an online course or another person.
• Use of any electronic devices including but not limited to cell phones, smart watches, headphones, earbuds, cameras, internet access, text messaging, crib sheets, hidden notes, markings on body, or other resources during exams or exam review. 
• Submitting false or forged documents, including health history, medications, immunizations, CPR certification or absenteeism excuses.
• Plagiarism – to take and use as one’s own the ideas or writings of another without giving that person credit.  Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional and includes copying someone else’s work word-for-word and claiming that it is yours as well as summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting and not providing the proper documentation and credit to the author.  This includes “cut, paste and copy” of work that is not your own. This includes information from any source: printed, verbal (such as an interview), electronic (the Internet or any electronic source), even if the site/author specifically states that you are allowed to download and use any portion and claim it as your own.  Plagiarism can result in a grade of “F” for the paper, classwork, or exam and may result in failure of the course.
• Collusion – lending assistance or failing to report witnessed acts of academic    misconduct.  This includes discussing an examination with students who have not taken the exam, having a copy of the examination outside the time and place of test administration.  If you observe cheating during an exam, or know of students who have an unfair advantage, it is your obligation to report these occurrences to the Nursing Division Chair who will investigate the allegations while maintaining your confidentiality.
• Willful lying or deceitfulness –
• falsifying data in a patient health record, nursing care plan or any form on which data is reported
• lying about or misrepresenting nursing care given, clinical errors, or any action related to the clinical experience
• unauthorized entry (hacking) into test banks or examinations

 
Flagrant or repeated violation of academic honesty may be referred to the Dean of Student Services for further action. Students subject to penalty or dismissal due to academic dishonesty have the right to appeal, following the chain of command (See LSCO Student Catalog, Academic Integrity).
 
Examples of substantial evidence of academic dishonesty may include but are not limited to the following:

• word of a reliable witness to such action
• direct comparison of documents
• possession of knowledge that could not have been obtained except by
• fraudulent means
• self-incrimination

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.



Students are expected to attend all learning experiences in order to successfully attain the course objectives. 

The student is expected to be present and on time for class. For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16-week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session.

All Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as you would in the traditional, face-to-face class. Assignments should be completed by the due date posted in Blackboard. In addition, students are expected to participate in weekly classroom activities to enhance content mastery.    Students should plan to arrive to class on time. Late arrival to class is disruptive.  Students who are disruptive (talking, eating, cell phones, etc.) during any class may be asked to leave that class by the instructor. That student must meet with the Instructor and/or Nursing Division Chair before returning to class.  Students are responsible for all material covered in their absence. Work is not an excuse for missed assignment deadlines and missed exams.  Students should refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. Students who are on campus but not in class are considered absent.

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. In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.  Assignments should be completed by the due date posted in Blackboard. In addition, students are expected to participate in weekly classroom activities to enhance content mastery. Work is not an excuse for missed assignment deadlines and missed exams.  Students should refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information.


Make-up Work Policy


Students are strongly encouraged to take exams as scheduled.  However, in the event that an exam cannot be taken on the scheduled date, the student is required to notify the instructor BEFORE the exam and give his/her reason.  A make-up exam may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor(s).  In the event that a make-up exam is allowed, it must be taken within one week after the original exam date.  All make-up exams will have a ten-point penalty deducted.  There will be NO exceptions to this rule.  The final examination must be taken according to the published college exam schedule with NO provision for make-up.  




Classroom Etiquette


Exam Policy


All exams will be given on campus in a computer lab to simulate NCLEX-RN.  The use of outside resources during exams are not allowed.  This includes, but not limited to, notes, smartphones, smartwatches, smart glasses, or internet browsers.

A combined weighted exam score of 78% must be obtained on the math quizzes (calculated as 5%), Exam 1 (calculated as 7%), Exam 2 (calculated as 7%), Exam 3 (calculated as 7%), Exam 4 (calculated as of 7%), Exam 5 (calculated as 7%), HESI Fundamentals (calculated as 4%), HESI PN to RN (calculated as 6%) and the Final Comprehensive Exam (calculated as 20%) to pass this course, independent of all other graded assignments. See "Grading and Evaluation Method" for further breakdown of exams.

The final exam will be a comprehensive final exam of 100 questions. 

There will be no rounding of any course grades.





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



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


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. In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.  Assignments should be completed by the due date posted in Blackboard. In addition, students are expected to participate in weekly classroom activities to enhance content mastery. Work is not an excuse for missed assignment deadlines and missed exams.  
 
Students are expected to be present and on time for class and remain until they are dismissed.

Students are responsible for obtaining material covered in their absence.
 



Review of Test Grades


After ALL students have completed the exam and immediately after exam submission, missed items and accompanying feedback may be made available for review. If all students are not available to take the exam, review of missed questions, and rationale will not be available until determined by faculty. The test is reviewed by the faculty after all students have completed the exam. Test statistics will be evaluated by faculty and test results adjusted if warranted. Students are informed of rationales for exam items that have been re-evaluated.
 
Additional review is available to any student per request. Students are expected to make an appointment individually within one week after the exam with one of the instructors. At that time the student reviews the exam and, with the assistance of the instructor, identifies strategies to improve exam performance.

Remediation/Retention: 

• Required Remediation: FA Davis and Evolve resources will be used for remediation. Remediation will be assigned after each exam. A grade of 80% or higher must be obtained on all remediation assignments/quizzes, etc. Students not completing the required remediation by the set due date and time will receive a zero for the assignment grade, a written counseling note and the behavior will be subject to review by the Standards Committee to review continued progression in the RN Transition program. Students making below 78% on any exam must make an appointment with an instructor within one week to review the exam, determine testing strategies, and additional resources. 

• Recommended Remediation: Individual remediation with nursing faculty for students scoring above 78% on a unit exam, is recommended but not required.  An appointment must be made with an instructor within one week of the exam for individual exam review. Remediation with faculty will include identification of strategies to improve exam performance.

 




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.