Planning for ClassCreating a Syllabus Faculty members must distribute written course syllabi in all courses, both graduate and undergraduate, which must clearly state the relative weight of the component factors of final grades (see PS- 44). When creating a syllabus, please keep the following policies/issues in mind: • Grading System (see PS-44). • Concentrated Study Period. Graded required course work (including exams, quizzes, and homework) may count for a total of, at most, 10 percent of the student’s grade in the course. Class projects that have been scheduled and placed on the syllabus within the first two weeks of the academic semester are exempt from the 10 percent limit. Laboratory courses are also exempt from this policy. Any other exception to this policy must receive prior approval from the Office of Academic Affairs. For additional information, refer to the LSU General Catalog. • Final examinations are required in all courses. When a final exam is inappropriate because of the nature of the course, exceptions to this requirement may be made upon approval of the appropriate department chair, dean/director, and the Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost. For additional information, refer to the LSU General Catalog. • Final exams must be given during the published dates for the final exam period. For additional information, refer to LSU General Catalog and Office of the University Registrar. • Be aware of the “W” Policy, along with deadline to drop a course. (Deadlines are listed in the Academic Calendar.) • Identify any pre-requisites for the course. • Provide office hours. Also, express a willingness to make special appointments for students unable to utilize scheduled hours. • Class Attendance. Class attendance is the responsibility of the student. The student is expected to attend all classes. A student who finds it necessary to miss class assumes responsibility for making up examinations, obtaining lecture notes, and otherwise compensating for what may have been missed. The course instructor will determine the validity of a student’s reason(s) for absences. Valid reasons for absences include:
o Illness; For the complete policy on class attendance, refer to PS-22. • Academic Integrity. The LSU Code of Student Conduct requires instructors to report all academic misconduct violations to the Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability, which is responsible for investigating alleged violations of University rules and implementing the discipline process. For more information on how to report academic misconduct and how to preserve academic integrity on campus, refer to the Academic Integrity Brochure. • Grade Appeals and Other Types of Appeals. A student has the right to appeal a final grade. Such an appeal must be initiated by the student within 30 calendar days after the first day of classes in the next regular semester. The student must first meet with the faculty member concerned to discuss the situation and attempt to arrive at a solution. (For the complete policy on appeals, refer to PS-48 and the LSU General Catalog.) All faculty members are expected to keep all unreturned student work and grade books for at least six months following termination of a course. If you are requested to complete an “Instructor Information Form for an Appeal,” please do so in a timely manner. Such information is needed in order for an appeal to be considered by a student’s academic college or by the Office of Academic Affairs. • Additional Considerations. Keep in mind that due to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) you are not at liberty to discuss a student’s enrollment/academic performance with anyone other than the student unless permission is granted by the student. Submitting Textbook Requests Contact your departmental administrative assistant to determine how your individual department processes faculty textbook requests. Several bookstores on and near campus are available for submitting textbook requests including the following:
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