Name of Department: Health Professions/Nursing

Course Subject Area, Number, Title, and Section Number: RNSG 1327-21 Transition to Professional Nursing

Instructor Name: Amanda Barlow MSN, RN

Building/Office Number: AHB

Office Hours: By appointment

Virtual Hours: By appointment

Office Telephone: 409-883-7750

Email Address:Amanda.barlow@lsco.edu

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.

Evolve Resources:

Evolve RN Case Studies and Practice tests

Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX Examination

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 10e

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 4e

Treas: Davis Advantage for Wilkinson's Fundamentals of Nursing (2 Volume Set) 5e

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.

Upon registration, LSCO students are automatically charged $25 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and e-books through the Gator Book Pack program. Physical materials may be picked up in Beaumont or shipped for an additional fee. Information and FAQs are available on the LSCO Gator Book Pack webpage. Students have until the second class day of the semester to opt out of the program.

Students are expected to have access to all required materials during the first week of class and are responsible for completing all assigned coursework. Students who do not have access to their materials during the first week should notify the instructor immediately for guidance.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:

Course Level Learning Outcomes (ACGM or WECM)Core Objectives  Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects

Core Objectives

• Upon completion of RNSG 1327, the student will have been given the opportunity toDifferentiate 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.

1. 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: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

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:

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.

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.

Nursing students are held accountable for any form of academic dishonesty and will be withdrawn from the Nursing Program in the face of substantial evidence of said action. Students who are withdrawn under this policy are not eligible for readmission to the program.

Academic dishonesty is defined as:

• any form of fraudulence, cheating, lying or deceitfulness in connection with the responsibility of a nursing student in the classroom, clinical, or learning lab setting and
• any act that attempts to deceive or misrepresent the student's behaviors, abilities, and/or knowledge in order to affect or improve the student's standing in the Nursing Program.

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

Cheating

• using unauthorized resources during exams, i.e. 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
• making written notes or taping examination questions during test review.
• submitting a false or forged excuse

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 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. It also includes overly-helpful relatives and friends who are too generous with their input for assignments, no matter how pure their intensions are. Plagiarism, including “cut, paste and copy” may 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 Divisional Chair who will investigate the allegations while maintaining your confidentiality.

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

(Refer to the LSCO Catalog, Academic Integrity, and the RN Student Handbook for additional information)

LSCO students are required to use their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

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. Student should refer to the instructor's attendance policy for additional information. Students who are on campus but not in class are considered absent.

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 This negatively affects their financial aid eligibility and disbursement and requires the student to repay any financial aid funds that have already been disbursed . 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 class during the scheduled meeting time. (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.

Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) courses utilize a blended course design that allows students to choose how they will ATTEND their class sessions. Students can choose to attend sessions in-person or live online without attending class on campus. A watch later option is available to students taking a HyFlex course, however, students may utilize watch later sessions no more than three classes during an 8-week term or five classes during a 16-week term.

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. 

There are NO provisions for make-up or rescheduling for the math quizzes or the HESI exams.

The Final Examination must be taken according to the published college exam schedule with NO provision for make-up.

• 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.

• Hyflex - Whether attending in person or online (synchronously or asynchronously)—students are expected to engage respectfully and responsibly. Arrive prepared, minimize distractions, and participate actively using appropriate tools (e.g., microphones, chat, discussion boards). When joining remotely, keep your camera on when possible, mute your microphone when not speaking, and use the chat feature constructively. In the classroom, be mindful of peers who are joining online by speaking clearly and allowing space for all voices. All communication should remain professional.

All electronic communication devices must be set to silent mode at all times in the classroom. The use of electronic communication devices in any learning setting is to be limited to emergency situations only. If it is necessary to leave the classroom to respond to a call or text, the student may re-enter the classroom at the next break. Students may not use a cellular telephone in the classroom.

Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program. Unacceptable behavior includes, but not limited to, disrespectful, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior and will not be tolerated. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave the classroom and may receive disciplinary action, up to and including immediate dismissal from the program. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, clinical, discussion groups, field trips, etc. 

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.

See "Grading and Evaluation Method" for breakdown of exams.

The final exam will be a comprehensive exam of 100 questions.  Students must have a 78% course average to sit for the final exam. 

There will be NO ROUNDING of any course grades nor the final grade.

The Respondus lockdown browser will be used for all exams. Please refer to the instructions located in your Blackboard course.

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 Catalog. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)

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.

A final course grade of 78% is necessary for the student to pass this course. The final course grade is calculated as follows:

A = 90 - 100%

B = 80 - 89

C = 78 - 79

D = 70 - 77

F = below 69

There will be NO ROUNDING of any course grades nor the final grade.

Exams: There are five instructor generated exams. Each of these exams are worth 10% for a total of 50%. These exams will be administered in Blackboard while using the Respondus lockdown browser.

HESI Exams: The HESI exams include the Fundamentals (worth 5%) and the PN to RN (worth 5%) . The HESI exams will be calculated as a numerical grade based on the conversion score outlined in Evolve. There is no make-up for HESI exams. They must be taken on the day they are scheduled. If missed, the student will receive a zero for that exam.

Math Quizzes: A total of three math quizzes will be administered with no provisions for makeup of these quizzes.

Quizzes must be taken on the date and time scheduled. Math quizzes not taken on the day and time scheduled will receive a zero for the grade. Math Quiz #1 is worth 1%, Math Quiz #2 and #3 are worth 2% of the course grade for a total of 5%.

Final Exam: The final exam is an instructor generated comprehensive exam of 100 questions worth 25% of the total course grade. Students must have a 78% course average to sit for the final exam.

Assignments:  There will be assignments throughout the semester. Assignments may consist of quizzes, FA Davis assignments, discussion boards, and Evolve assignments. All assignments will be counted as 5% of your course grade. Assignments are due according to the day and time posted on the assignment list or as posted in Blackboard. Assignments not submitted by the due date will receive a zero. Grading is as follows for FA Davis assignments: green thumb - 100; orange thumb - grade that the student earned; red thumb - grade that the student earned. Grading for FA Davis Quizzing and Evolve assignments: the grade the student earned. No late or make up assignments will be accepted.

Remediation: Remediation will be assigned after all exams as well as after HESI exams. A grade of 78% or higher must be obtained on all remediation assignments/quizzes, etc. for exams 1-5. HESI generated remediation will be assigned for all HESI exams. All remediation scores will be combined and account for 5% of the course average (complete HESI remediation will receive a score of 100, while incomplete HESI remediation will receive a score of zero).  Students not completing the required remediation by the set due date and time will receive a zero and a written counseling note and their behavior will be subject to review by the Standards Committee to review continued progression in the RN Transition program.

Syllabus Quiz and Read & Respond: Verification of reading of the syllabus and submission of the Read & Respond must be completed before the course modules will open. If the student does not submit, the remaining modules will not open for progression in the course.

There will be no rounding of any course grades. 

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.Please use the Microsoft 365 email to contact your instructors.

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 Catalog, Class Attendance.)

Much of this course requires access to, familiarity with, and use of a computer and the Internet. You should have a general understanding of basic software such as Microsoft Word or another similar word processor, the Internet, a readily available Internet access device, and a good working knowledge of web browsers such as Firefox and Google Chrome. If you do not have these items at home, LSCO has computer and internet access at a variety of locations. See instructor for more information. Students are responsible for obtaining material covered in class in their absence.

Exam Review Policy: During exam review sessions, students are strictly prohibited from taking photographs, screenshots, screen recordings, or any other form of image capture of examination materials. Copying, transcribing, reproducing, or otherwise recording exam questions, answers, or related content is not permitted. Violation of this policy will result in a review by the RN Standards Committee.

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. Students are informed of rationales for exam items that have been re-evaluated. Final exams are not offered for review by students.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Any student who faces challenges securing their food, housing, transportation, or childcare for minor dependents and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the student care office (studentcare@lsco.edu)for guidance on how to access possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.

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 Director of Student Care and Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu.

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 rebecca.gentry@lsco.edu.

LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your NetID/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/userinfo1.asp.

Students needing help learning how to navigate Blackboard are encouraged to reach out to LearningTechnology@lsco.edu. Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.

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. Access 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.

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students support for daycare and/or transportation costs on a first come first serve basis as funding allows.

Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.

Students needing course content or study skills support are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring and academic support services. Our series of student success seminars, named Lifesavers, are available Face-to-face, online, and self-paced throughout the semester. Reach out to OASIS@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/student-life/library/lifesavers.php for more information about Lifesavers.

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.

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 Director of Student Care & Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu. 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 Director of Student Care & Accessibility must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.

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.

Access https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.

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.

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.

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 OASIS.

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.

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, Barber, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, HVAC, Electrician, Plumbing, 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.

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.

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 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. 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.

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:

• Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.

• Communication (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.

• Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.

• 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.

• 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.

• Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

• Professional competency (Technical) – Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills 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.

Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password.

Students can set a password here: https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/

IMPORTANT: 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.

LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.

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.

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-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. 

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, appendix D.