University Regulations

Student Responsibility

Students are personally responsible for completing all requirements established for their degree by the University, college, and department. ULM course requirements are under continual examination and revision. The catalog represents the offerings and requirements in effect at the time of publication and in no way guarantees that they will not change. The University reserves the right to change requirements for any major during any particular year. The individual student assumes full responsibility to be informed and to comply with all academic requirements. A student’s adviser may not assume these responsibilities and may not substitute, waive, or exempt any established requirement or academic standard for the student.

Also, it is necessary in the general administration of a university to establish broad policies and to lay down certain regulations and procedures by which they may be carried out. It is important that a student know and understand the current policies, standards, regulations, and procedures one is expected to follow. When changes are announced between catalog publications, they may be either published in the University newspaper or posted on bulletin boards http://www.ulm.edu/. Students may also be notified of changes in university regulations or requirements by the respective department or division. Students are responsible for knowing these changes.

Students’ parents and legal guardians are expected to use reasonable care and promptness in reviewing University Policies. A lack of knowledge or understanding of any policy will not cause such policy to lose force nor effect.

The catalog is presented, merely, as a guide to enable prospective students and others to learn about the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and state policies, requirements, regulations, and procedures in such form as to direct the student to progress through school.

Confidentiality of Student Records

www.ulm.edu/registrar/ferpa.html

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1974 Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) - Public Law 93-380, certain types of information, designated by law as “directory information,” may be released without the student’s permission. A list of the types of directory information which can be released (e.g., name, address, phone number) may be obtained in the Registrar’s Office. Students who wish directory information to be withheld should complete a “Request to Withhold Directory Information” form in the Registrar’s Office.

Requests to prevent either the releasing or publishing of directory information will be in effect indefinitely until written notification is received in the Registrar’s Office. Students have the right to file complaints with the FERPA Office in Washington, D.C., concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the Act.

Students who wish to allow their parents access to their records (academic, financial, billing, or any information related to their enrollment at ULM) may complete a “Privacy Waiver for Parental Access to Records” form in the Registrar’s Office. If the student chooses at a later date to rescind parental access to records, he/she must complete a “Rescindment of FERPA Parental Privacy Waiver” document in the Registrar’s Office. Either form requires that the student present a picture ID and sign the form in the presence of an authorized ULM official.

Credit for Distance Learning, Extension, Examination and Military Service

No more than one-third of the number of hours required for graduation may be earned through credit by examination, credit earned in military service experiences, and distance learning (correspondence and independent study) and extension courses taken through accredited extension divisions of other colleges and universities.

1. Distance Learning (Correspondence and Independent Study Courses)

Credit will be granted for distance learning (correspondence and independent study) courses satisfactorily completed through accredited extension divisions of other colleges and universities. A ULM student who expects to use any distance learning work toward meeting degree requirements must receive approval in writing from the academic dean prior to registration for such work. Exams must be taken prior to the semester in which the student is scheduled to graduate.

2. ACT/SAT

Credit will be granted for freshman English and Math courses based on scores from the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) as officially reported to the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Students must have official qualifying scores sent directly from the testing company to the University of Louisiana at Monroe to be eligible for credit. Score requests may be made on the respective testing company websites (www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.com). The ACT Score Recipient Code is 1598, and the SAT College Code is 6482. The credit granting policy based on ACT or SAT is available at testing.ulm.edu.

3. Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

Credit will be granted for appropriate courses based on satisfactory scores on The College Board Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) administered each May in high schools which have accelerated programs. Students must have official AP scores sent directly from AP Services to the University of Louisiana at Monroe (AP Score Recipient Code 6482). Information concerning AP testing is available at www.apcentral.collegeboard.com. The credit granting policy based on AP scores is available at testing.ulm.edu.

4. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Credit will be granted for appropriate courses based on satisfactory scores from College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject Examinations that have been approved for credit at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. (CLEP General Examinations are not accepted for credit at ULM.) The ULM CLEP granting policy is available at www.ulm.edu/testingcenter/. CLEP exams must be taken prior to the semester in which the student is scheduled to graduate. Students must satisfy any developmental requirements before taking math or English CLEP exams. Official CLEP scores must be sent directly from CLEP Services to ULM (CLEP Score Recipient Code 6482). Military service veterans who took CLEP as part of the DANTES program must have CLEP subject scores reported directly to the University from DANTES. Registration information is available at testing.ulm.edu. CLEP exam content information, including study materials, is available at www.collegeboard.com/clep.

5. Dantes Standardized Subject Tests

Credit will be granted for appropriate courses based on satisfactory scores on Dantes Standardized Subject Tests (DSST) that have been approved for credit at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The ULM DSST credit granting policy is available at www.ulm.edu/testingcenter/. DSST exams must be taken prior to the semester in which the student is scheduled to graduate. Official DSST scores must be sent directly from DSST to ULM (DSST Score Recipient Code 9837). Military service veterans who took DSST as part of the DANTES program must have DSST subject scores reported directly to the University from DANTES. Registration information is available at testing.ulm.edu. DSST exam content information, including study materials, is available at www.getcollegecredit.com.

6. ULM Credit Examinations

These credit examinations will be given at ULM only under exceptional circumstances. Credit examinations are offered only for those courses which are required as part of a student’s education program (i.e., core subject requirement or elective). Each credit examination must be approved in advance by the dean of the college in which the student is registered, the dean of the college in which the course concerned is given, and the instructor involved.

The following regulations will govern the giving of credit examinations:

1. Permission for credit examinations will be given only in those instances in which the student has already gained a fundamental knowledge of the subject.
2. Permission to take a credit examination will be granted only to persons who are students, or former students, of the University of Louisiana at Monroe in satisfactory academic standing. No instructor may give a credit examination until the necessary approvals have been obtained by the student on forms supplied by the Registrar.
3. In no case will a student be permitted to take a credit examination in a course if that student has:
   1. audited or taken the course for non-credit,
   2. made an unsatisfactory grade previously in the course,
   3. received credit for a higher course in a series of sequential courses.
4. Credit examinations must be taken within the first month of the semester or within the first two weeks of either summer term.
5. Credit examinations are indicated as such on the student’s record. Earned credit is recorded. Credits earned through credit examinations are not used in computation of the student’s quality point ratio, but may be counted as resident credit for graduation purposes.

7. Credit for Military Service

Honorably-discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces who are enrolled at ULM may be eligible for credit for course work completed in service schools where equivalence in terms of college courses has been recommended for college credit in the Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education (ACE). Official military transcripts (JST or CCAF) must be submitted to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions for an evaluation of these experiences. Students should check with their curriculum advisor, department head, or dean for determination of whether the credit will be acceptable as a substitute for coursework in their curriculum.

8. English Department Diagnostic/Placement Essay and Challenge Exam

ENGL 0090  - Students who demonstrate outstanding performance on the English departmental diagnostic essay, as determined by a panel of evaluators, may be exempted from English 0090 (Grammar and Composition) and allowed to enroll in ENGL 1001 . ENGL 1001  students who demonstrate unreadiness for ENGL 1001  on the English department diagnostic essay, as determined by a panel of evaluators, may be required to take or repeat ENGL 0090 .

Upon satisfactory completion of coursework in ENGL 0090 , a student may petition for credit for ENGL 1001  based upon a challenge exam constructed and evaluated by a panel of English faculty. This credit is subject to the approval of the department head of the student, the dean of the college of the student, the English department head, and the dean of the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences.

Credit Hour System and Course Numbering

A credit or semester hour represents a minimum of one hour of class work or two or more hours of laboratory work a week, together with the necessary preparation for one semester of approximately fifteen weeks. The value of each course of instruction is stated in terms of semester hours.

Courses are normally numbered according to the following system: 0000-0099, developmental courses; 1000 to 1099, freshman; 2000 to 2099, sophomore; 3000 to 3099, junior; 4000 to 4099, senior; 5000 to 5099, graduate; 6000 to 7099, courses beyond the Master’s level. Certain courses in the 4000 level are accepted for graduate credit, where so indicated. Graduate status is required for graduate credit. This course numbering system does not apply to Professional Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) courses. See College of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences section.

Course Load

ULM schedules courses in three terms during the academic year: fall (16 weeks), spring (16 weeks), and summer (ten weeks). Each term may include course offerings within shorter parts of terms, including first eight-week sessions, second eight-week sessions, intersessions (three weeks), Summer I sessions (four weeks), and Summer II sessions (four weeks). Students are not normally allowed to take more than 18 semester hours during a term or more than six semester hours in any part-of-term less than ten weeks. Under special circumstances, students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 may request an extension of this limit to 21 semester hours through the Registrar’s Office. Other students with special circumstances may request a similar extension through their dean’s office.

Undergraduate students registered for six or more hours of student teaching are limited to 15 semester hours in a term except as approved by the Dean of the College of Arts, Education and Sciences.

Undergraduate students who schedule 12 or more semester hours for credit during a term are considered full time students. Audited courses are excluded from these totals. Because other agencies may define full-time status differently, students who receive any type of financial aid (including aid awarded by the Veterans Administration or other agencies) are encouraged to contact the respective agency to determine the number of semester hours required to receive that aid.

The University does not guarantee that a student will be able to schedule every class which he or she may be required or wish to take during a given enrollment period.

Adding and Dropping Courses

Students will not be admitted to any class unless the instructor has received a roster or notice indicating proper registration from the Registrar.

Students will not be permitted to add or drop courses after published add and drop date without their dean’s approval.

Students may not enroll in more than one section of the same course unless specified in the University catalog.

Class prerequisites must be completed as prescribed by the most current catalog, regardless of the catalog or curriculum in effect for any student.

Adding and dropping classes are functions which must be completed online via Banner Self Service at https://banner.ulm.edu/, unless pre-requisite or other restriction issues require a signature by an academic unit. In these cases, a student is required to contact his/her academic unit for the proper override.  A grade of “F” will be assigned to any student who does not drop the course from his/her schedule. A student may drop any subject with a notation of “W” (withdrawn from class) within the time limit specified in the University Calendar. Withdrawals during that period carry no academic penalties.

Each student will be allowed 3 withdrawals after the drop/add period (the 5th class day). Beginning on the 4th withdrawal, a $50 charge will be assessed for each withdrawal thereafter until the completion of the undergraduate degree.

Course Drop and Resignation Policy

To resign from ULM, please log in to Self Service Banner to drop all your classes. If the hold restricts the ability to drop online, students should contact his/her advisor.

Students may drop courses or resign from the institution with grades of “W” prior to a date specified in the official University Calendar. That date is generally three weeks after mid-semester in a regular semester and the equivalent period in a summer session. (Actual drop/resign dates are published in each calendar for the respective schedule of classes. www.ulm.edu/schedule/) After that specified date, students may not drop a course or resign. Drop dates for short courses will vary depending on the length of the course; these dates are published in the current issue of the ULM Schedule of Classes at www.ulm.edu/schedule/. Students who have extraordinary cases with extenuating circumstances may submit a letter of appeal to their academic dean, along with documentation to substantiate the case. Extraordinary cases do not include dissatisfaction with an anticipated grade or the decision to change a major. Approval of an appeal for dropping a course or resigning after the published date may be granted by the student’s dean for reasons stated below and only if the reason can be officially documented to show direct due cause. If approval to drop a course is granted, the student must also have been passing the course immediately prior to the hardship, and must have applied for the approval immediately after the hardship or illness ended. The grade assigned shall be a “W.” If the dean allows the student to resign, a “W” grade shall be assigned in all courses. If the appeal is approved, the dean will notify the instructor and the Registrar. Examples of appealable cases are as follows:

1. Illness/Injury—The student must provide a letter on official stationery from the attending physician stating that the illness or injury will render the student unable to complete the course, or will cause the student to miss a significant number of days so as to make it difficult to complete the course. A hospital bill may also be used.
2. Death of an immediate family member which caused undue hardship and renders the student incapable of completing the course—The student must provide a copy of the death certificate, obituary stating relationship to the deceased, or letter from the attending clergy.
3. Natural disaster or exceptional traumatic event (documentation will be required)—The student must provide a written explanation of extenuating circumstances providing this event causes the student undue hardships.
4. National Defense—The student must provide a copy of official military orders.

Grades of “F” will be assigned to students who do not complete the enrollment period and who have not officially dropped their courses or resigned.

An appeal for a change in official academic records must be made no later than 30 days after the end of the semester or term in which the alleged error in academic records occurred.

Auditing Courses

Students may be admitted to regular classes for audit by meeting admission requirements, receiving the approval of the instructor’s academic dean, and by paying tuition for the class. An audit may not be changed to credit, or vice versa, after registration closes. Students auditing courses will not receive credit, nor will they be permitted to take a credit examination (departmental exam) on work audited. Credit hours for courses audited are figured in fee assessment, but not for certification of enrollment status (full-time/part-time). Any student using a fee waiver cannot register for audit.

Grading System

Grades and the grading process are major components of a university’s academic standards. An important professional obligation of a university professor is the determination of grades. Grades accomplish two essential purposes: (1) they communicate to the academic community and to the community at large a certified level of academic achievement, and (2) they provide realistic and reliable feedback for students to use in evaluating individual progress and making decisions about future behavior.

Prerequisites to effective grading are (1) appropriate scope, depth, and degree of difficulty for each course; (2) controls to ensure that students have proper academic qualifications for enrolling in each course; and (3) adequate measures of performance. Taking into account all students who would properly and typically enroll in a given course (not just those in one course), professors assign grades according to the following general guidelines:

A— EXCELLENT—Performance approaches complete mastery of the course requirements.
B— GOOD—Performance is above the level expected from most students, but does not approach complete mastery of the course requirements.
C— AVERAGE—Performance is about the level expected from most students.
D— BELOW AVERAGE—Performance is at or above the minimum level to pass, but does not allow for progression in some programs.
F— FAILURE—Performance is below the minimum level to pass the course.

NOTE: See College of Health Sciences-School of Nursing for additional grades assigned to professional nursing students.

The grades “A” (excellent), “B” (good), “C” (average), “D” (below average), “F” (failure), “AU” (audit does not imply class attendance), “W” (withdrew), “I” (incomplete), “IP” (in progress), “CR” (credit), and “NC” (no credit) are given to indicate the quality of a student’s work.

Each semester hour with the grade of “D” carries one quality point; each semester hour with the grade of “C”, two quality points; each semester hour with the grade of “B”, three quality points; and each semester hour with the grade of A, four quality points. Grades of “F” and “I” carry zero quality points and are used to determine the grade point average. Grades of “CR”, “NC”, and “IP” carry no quality points and are not used to determine the grade point average. Therefore, a “C” average is a 2.00 average. An “I” grade is computed as an “F” grade unless changed to a final passing grade. Also, + and - grade designations are not recognized.

Instructors are encouraged to abide by the University Calendar by offering courses within the established enrollment period dates. Instructors must discuss in advance with the Registrar the reasons for the award of “IP” grades. Valid reasons for considering the issuance of “IP” grades may be when an instructor anticipates that either the nature of a specific graduate or undergraduate course or the expectations of all students (not an individual student) cannot be completed within the established enrollment period dates. Letter grades must be awarded by an agreed upon deadline between the instructor and the Registrar in the event that “IP” grades are issued.

Students in developmental courses shall be eligible to earn grades of “A”, “B”, “C”, “NC”, “F”, “W”, or “I” in such courses. However, successful completion of a developmental course requires a grade of “A”, “B”, or “C”; students receiving any lower grade must repeat the course. A student who has excessive unexcused absences or who is guilty of cheating/plagiarism in a developmental course will receive an “F” for the semester grade. Those courses defined as developmental are English 0090 and Mathematics 0093.

Unsatisfactory work is indicated by the grade of “F” (failure). The grade of “F” cannot be removed by repeating the course. When a course is repeated, both grades will be counted in determining the grade-point average.

The graduation average is the corrected average figured on coursework earned toward the degree. When a student repeats a course, the last grade received shall be accepted as the final grade in determining graduation requirements. Students receive their diplomas based upon their individual graduation averages. The graduation average is not printed on the official academic transcript.

The cumulative average is based upon all hours pursued, including repeats, and is used in determining honors for graduation, as well as for admission to graduate and professional programs.

“I” GRADE CHANGES
Work which is of satisfactory quality but which, because of circumstances beyond the student’s control, is not complete, may be marked “I” (incomplete). The deficiency must be met within the first month of the next regular semester or within the first two weeks of the summer term of attendance. “I” grades are removed only by completion of the course work, not by repeating the course. “I” grades are computed as “F” grades, unless changed to a final passing grade. If the student does not resume studies either at this University or elsewhere within a calendar year following the semester or summer session for which the “I” grade was recorded, the “I” grade cannot be removed. Instructors should not allow students to complete work for a course in an attempt to remove an “I” grade without prior approval of the instructor’s academic dean.

GRADE CHANGES (Other than “I”)
Grades (other than “I” grades) that have been submitted to the Registrar’s Office can be changed only by a change of grade form and/or letter of explanation certifying that an error has been made by the instructor. This form or certification of error will not be valid unless approved by the instructor’s academic dean. A request for a final grade change must be initiated by the instructor within 30 days after the end of the semester or term following the academic term in which the questioned grade was earned.

Procedure for Appealing a Grade

Questions related to grading or other matters of an academic nature may be directed to the student’s instructor. Failing satisfactory resolution at this level, the questions should be referred, in order, to the school director, academic dean, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Academic Appeals Committee.

To appeal grades, students must initiate an appeal within ten working days after the end of the semester or term in which the questioned grade was assigned. Specific procedures must be followed in appealing to all administrative levels. These procedures are described in the Student Policy Manual.

A copy of the Student Policy Manual is on file in the office of each academic department, academic dean’s offices, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Office of Student Life. The Student Policy Manual is also on-line at http://www.ulm.edu/studentpolicy.

Grade Reports

End-of-the-semester grades are generally available by the end of the fourth working day of each enrollment period. Students should visit Banner Self Service https://banner.ulm.edu/ to view grade results.

Address Change

A student must provide a local and permanent address at the time of admission to the University. Local and permanent address changes must be updated on the Banner Self Service website https://banner.ulm.edu/ or reported to the Registrar’s Office on the appropriate form. A student is responsible for the consequences of all communications sent to the address on file in the Registrar’s Office (e.g., classes dropped for non-payment of tuition, probation/suspension status on grade report or transcript).

Name Change

A student who wishes to change a name for any reason (e.g., divorce, marriage, adoption, legal name change) must present an original Social Security card bearing the desired name, in addition to completing a “Name Change” form, to the Registrar’s Office; presenting a copy of the card is not acceptable. No other document or form of identification will be accepted in lieu of the Social Security card.

Further, only name as it appears on the Social Security card will become part of the student’s ULM record. The name on the ULM record will reflect the name exactly as it appears on the Social Security card.

President’s/Dean’s List

The President’s List for undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree is released at the end of each semester. To qualify for this list, undergraduate students must be full-time and must earn a 3.9 or higher grade-point average. To qualify for a respective Dean’s List, undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must be full-time and must earn a 3.5-3.89 grade-point average.

Classification

Classification of students, based upon the number of credits earned, is made in the Registrar’s Office at the end of each enrollment period and is revised as necessary.

The rules governing the classification of students are as follows:

1. FRESHMAN—Having fewer than 30 semester hours of credit.
2. SOPHOMORE—Having at least 30, but less than 60 semester hours of credit.
3. JUNIOR—Having at least 60, but less than 90 semester hours of credit.
4. SENIOR—Having at least 90 semester hours of credit.

NOTE: During pre-registration, a student’s currently enrolled hours are used to determine classification for registration.

Class Attendance Regulations/Excused Absences

Students:

1. Class attendance is regarded as an obligation and a privilege, and all students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to do so may jeopardize students’ scholastic standing and may lead to suspension from the University.
2. Any student who is not present for at least 75% of the scheduled class sessions in any course may receive a grade of “W” if this condition occurs prior to the last day to drop a course or a grade of “F” after that date.
3. Any University-related activity requiring an absence from class will count as an absence when determining if a student has attended 75% of class meetings.
4. Students are responsible for the effect absences have on all forms of evaluating course performance. Thus, the student is responsible for arranging the allowed make up of any missed work.

Faculty:

1. Instructors shall keep a permanent attendance record for each class. These records are subject to inspection by appropriate University officials and should be available at all times.
2. Attendance of class meetings may not constitute more than 10% of the course grade unless justified by the instructor and approved by the department head and dean.
3. Faculty members are required to state in writing and explain to students their expectations in regard to class attendance during the first class meeting or by the last day to add (third official day of classes).
4. Faculty members are expected to work with students to allow for completion of classwork and assignments if the student’s absence results from his/her required participation in a University-sponsored activity provided that, prior to the absence, the student makes arrangement to complete all missed work.
5. Students are usually allowed to make up work and/or tests missed because of serious illness, accident, or death in the family. Staff members in the Office of Student Services will make every effort to inform the faculty member concerning class absences on behalf of the student in these instances.

Online Attendance Policy

1. Students are required to log in to each online course by the second day during the week in which the course officially begins, or the day of enrollment during late registration to complete the initial introductory postings required in the course.
2. Logging in to an online course constitutes a start and assumes the intention to complete the course.
3. Students must log in at least one additional day during the first week of the course. Students must log in on two separate days each subsequent week of the course to meet attendance requirements or as specified in the syllabus. Nonattendance may affect financial aid.
4. Students withdrawn due to nonattendance will be permitted to return no sooner than the beginning of the next semester.
5. Students may appeal if they feel an error has been made in their attendance calculation as outlined in the University Regulations Procedure for Appealing a Grade.
6. Students are strongly advised to check e-mail daily, excluding weekends, for full term fall and spring courses.

Developmental and Math/English Corequisite Requirements

Mathematics 1000 & English 1000

MATH 1000 and ENGL 1000 were developed as co-requisite courses for MATH 1009 and ENGL 1001 respectively. 

Newly admitted First Time Freshmen whose Math ACT score is 18 must take the MATH 1000/MATH 1009 pair in their first semester of attendance at ULM.  Newly admitted First Time Freshmen whose English ACT score is 16 must take the ENGL 1000/ENGL 1001 pair in their first semester of attendance at ULM.  Students required to take MATH 1000/1009 or ENGL 1000/1001 must successfully complete the course pair within one academic year and with no more than two attempts. Students who do not successfully complete MATH 1000/1009 or ENGL 1000/1001 in two attempts must complete the developmental requirement at another institution of higher education.

Completion of Developmental Course Requirements

The following students must complete their developmental requirement at another institution of higher education:

1)      Students with an ACT score below a 18 in Math or 16 in English.

2)      Students who started at ULM before Fall 2015 and who have not yet completed the developmental requirement, and newly admitted transfer students who have not yet completed the developmental requirement.

3)      Students who do not successfully complete their Math 1000 or English 1000 requirements within one academic year and with no more than two attempts.

Note: Students with two developmental requirements regardless of their ACT scores must complete both requirements at another institution of higher education.

College Preparatory Curriculum

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has endorsed the Board of Regents’ Task Force Report on Academic Preparation of the College Bound Student and its College Preparatory Curriculum.

Louisiana Board of Regents Statewide General Education Requirements

English - CAS and AAS degrees shall require the successful completion of at least three hours of English composition. AA, AS, A, BAS, BA, BS, and B degrees shall require the successful completion of at least six hours of English composition.

Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning - (e.g., Mathematics, Statistics, Symbolic Logic). CAS, AAS, AA, and A degrees shall require the successful completion of at least three hours of Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning. AS, BAS, BA, BS, and B degrees shall require the successful completion of at least six hours of Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning.

Natural Sciences: Life Science - (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology) and Physical Science (e.g., Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Astronomy/Meteorology). The CAS may require, and AAS degrees shall require the successful completion of at least three hours of any life or physical science. AA, AS, and A degrees shall require the successful completion of at least six hours of natural science in any combination of life or physical science. BAS, BA, BS, and B degrees shall require the successful completion of at least nine hours of natural science, as follows: six hours shall be earned in a single life or physical science; the remaining three hours must be earned in a natural science area other than that previously selected (both life and physical sciences must be taken to fulfill this requirement).

Humanities - (e.g., Literature, Foreign Languages, History, Classical Studies, Communications, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Interdisciplinary). The CAS may require, and the AAS, AA, AS, A and BAS degrees shall require the successful completion of at least three hours of Humanities. The BA, BS, and B degrees shall require the successful completion of at least nine hours of Humanities.

Fine Arts - (e.g., Music, Visual Arts, Applied Arts, Theatre, Dance, Interdisciplinary). The CAS may require, and the AA, AS, A, BAS, BA, BS, and B degrees shall require the successful completion of at least three hours of Fine Arts.

Social Science - (e.g., Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, International Studies, Interdisciplinary, Political Science) and Behavioral Science (e.g., Psychology, Sociology). The CAS may require, and the AAS and AS degrees shall require the successful completion of at least three hours of Social/Behavioral Sciences. The AA, A, BAS, BA, BS, and B degrees shall require the successful completion of at least six hours of Social/Behavioral Sciences.

Major Field Assessment

Students may be required to complete an assessment in their major field during their senior year as a requirement for graduation.

Privilege to Continue Enrollment in Terminated Programs

Periodically, programs/curricula are terminated either by Board mandate or University request. In those cases, students are allowed to continue in the programs ONLY IF they maintain continuous enrollment in the program (fall and spring; summer term excluded) AND make progress toward the degree program by earning credit toward the degree. Therefore, any failure to register and earn credit toward the degree in a regular semester will result in a mandatory change of curriculum to an active program.

Changes of Curricula/Catalog

After their first registration, students will not be permitted to change curricula except on the advice and consent of the academic dean/associate dean of their new college. A Change of Curriculum Request form must be used, and the proposed change is not official until the required approval has been obtained and the form has been filed in the Registrar’s Office.

When students change their major after the last date for adding courses in a semester or summer session, the change does not become effective until the next period of enrollment. The new catalog year will be the catalog year in effect for the term in which the change becomes effective. The student will be subject to regulations of the new catalog.

If participation in specific programs (e.g., intercollegiate athletics, Veterans Affairs) and/or receipt of financial aid/scholarships is based on the student’s current curriculum, the student’s eligibility may be adversely affected. Students in these circumstances should first consult with the appropriate University advisor prior to submitting the curriculum change.

Students who interrupt their college work for one or more calendar years, students who change their curriculum or students who enroll in programs requiring a new application will graduate according to the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their re-entry or curriculum change. It should be noted, however, that class prerequisites must be completed as prescribed by the most current catalog, regardless of the catalog or curriculum in effect for any student. Students must change catalogs if they change their major, apply for admission or readmission, or gain admission to a professional program. EXCEPTIONS: Students who change to the distance learning mode of delivery for the exact same curriculum.

Academic Status: Good Standing, Probation, and Suspension

The undergraduate probation and suspension regulations listed below were adopted by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, effective at ULM with the Fall 1995 Semester. Administered by the Council of Academic Deans, these probation and suspension regulations are minimum standards which apply to all students except those enrolled in the professional programs of Nursing and Pharmacy. Refer to the catalog sections of the College of Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences for respective probation and suspension regulations.

ACADEMIC GOOD STANDING. Students who are enrolled or eligible to be enrolled are considered to be in good academic standing.

ACADEMIC PROBATION. Undergraduate students will be placed on academic probation whenever their cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below a 2.0.

1. Once on academic probation, a student will remain on probation (as long as each semester or summer term GPA is at least 2.0) until a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher is achieved. Individual institutions are encouraged to provide academic advising and/or intervention for these students.
2. Once a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher is achieved, a student will be placed in academic good standing.
3. Transfer students may be admitted on probation pending the receipt of official transcripts (credentials) to determine academic status.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION. Undergraduate students on academic probation will be suspended from the institution at the conclusion of any semester or summer term in which they fail to earn a GPA of at least 2.0. First-time freshmen will not be suspended prior to the completion of two terms of enrollment.

1. Students suspended for the first time at the end of the spring semester may attend summer school without appeal. If these students raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher, they are placed in academic good standing and their suspension periods are lifted. They may then attend the fall semester without appeal. If they do not raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher in the summer term, the suspension for the fall semester is in effect. In this case, only one suspension is counted against the student.
2. Students suspended for second or subsequent suspension at the end of the spring semester may also attend summer school. To be readmitted to any semester other than the summer session, they must appeal.
3. Universities in the System shall have one semester suspension, except for second or subsequent suspensions that shall be for one calendar year.
4. An undergraduate student suspended from a System university may not enroll in another university within the System, but may enroll in a community college. To ensure minimal or no loss of credits upon return to the university, it is recommended that the student consult with his/her university advisor regarding the choice of courses to be taken at the community college. Credits earned under these conditions may be accepted for a degree at the suspending institution provided grades of “C” or higher are earned in each of the courses to be transferred.

APPEAL OF ACADEMIC SUSPENSION. Students suspended for scholastic deficiency at the University of Louisiana at Monroe may appeal through their academic dean for immediate reinstatement. The appeal from academic suspension consists of a letter of appeal written by the student to the academic dean explaining any extenuating circumstances responsible for poor academic performance. Complete validating documentation to support the circumstances and to demonstrate that circumstances are now such that the student could reasonably be expected to do satisfactory academic work should be submitted with the letter of appeal. Gaining readmission in this manner permits students to continue in the University, but it does not erase the “Academic Suspension” entered on their record.

Transfer students who have been suspended from other systems may appeal to enroll at System institutions during the academic suspension period only if they have a 2.0 cumulative average. Appeals may be granted or denied.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISMISSAL. A student whose ACT/SAT score places them in developmental English or math must successfully complete the course or courses within the first three semesters of enrollment at the University of Louisiana at Monroe to be eligible to maintain continued enrollment. A maximum of three attempts (including drop “W” attempts) will be allowed for the required course. Students who fail to meet this requirement during this time limit must successfully complete the developmental course at another university or community college before being eligible to return to ULM.

Academic Renewal

Academic renewal provides the opportunity for a fresh start for those students who have had academic difficulties in the past but are ready to commit themselves to scholastic success. Students who wish to apply for academic renewal, also called academic clemency, academic forgiveness, or academic bankruptcy, must meet certain criteria and follow the established application procedures. One of the essential criteria for qualifying for academic renewal is that at least three calendar years must have gone by since the end of the semester in which the student was registered for credit at any college or university and the beginning of enrollment under academic renewal. A student may apply for academic renewal at any time during his/her enrollment in the University as long as this minimum period has lapsed. A student can receive academic renewal only once in his/her undergraduate career, regardless of the number of institutions attended. A student who has earned a degree cannot declare academic renewal if any of the coursework to be considered in academic renewal was earned prior to receipt of a degree. The graduate level does not offer or recognize academic renewal. Also, the awarding of academic renewal does not affect a student’s financial aid history; therefore, students should speak with the ULM Financial Aid Office prior to appeal for academic renewal.

If a student is eligible, he/she may begin the academic renewal process by submitting a written petition to the dean of his/her college. In the petition the student will explain the changes that he/she has made that will give the University reason to believe that the student will experience academic success and will perform satisfactorily in the succeeding semesters. A transfer student who has previously been granted academic renewal elsewhere may apply for consideration of transfer of academic renewal to ULM. He/she should use the application procedure described above. If academic renewal is granted, the dean will notify the student and the Registrar, and the Registrar will implement the necessary transcript and records changes.

After a student has been granted academic renewal, the date that the renewal was approved will be noted on his/her transcript, and the transcript will also note that all of the student’s previously-earned hours and quality points will neither be used to compute his/her GPA nor will they be applied toward his/her program of study. The student’s prior academic history will be included in and will remain a part of his/her overall academic transcript and record. The status of a student who receives academic renewal will be based upon the subsequent credits that he/she earns, and the student will follow the guidelines of the appropriate catalog(s).

A student who has declared Academic Renewal is not eligible for honors recognition upon graduation.

Other institutions have their own policies and may or may not accept academic renewal as granted at this institution. In addition, when considering applications for admission, many undergraduate professional curricula, graduate schools, and professional schools choose to compute the undergraduate grade point average over all of the hours attempted.

Requirements for Degrees

Candidates for the associate and bachelor’s degrees must accomplish the following:

1. Apply for graduation via banner.ulm.edu. Deadlines to apply for graduation are published in the official academic calendar and the ULM class schedule calendar. Students should review the class schedule calendar for their expected term of graduation for specific deadline. If all course work has been completed, students must register in absentia.
2. Complete all of the coursework in one of the curricula as outlined in the issue of the University of Louisiana at Monroe Undergraduate Catalog for the student’s catalog year. Students are responsible for knowing degree requirements. Students are normally guided by the Catalog in effect at the time of their first enrollment at this University. However, where feasible and academically sound, students may elect any issue of the ULM catalog in force during their residence, provided they maintain continuous enrollment in the same major. Students who interrupt their college work for two or more calendar years, students who change their curriculum, or students who enroll in programs requiring a new application will graduate according to the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their re-entry or curriculum change, unless they have departmental approval to choose an updated curriculum for graduation requirements (see Curricula/Catalog Changes ). Students must receive academic dean’s approval for course substitutions used to satisfy degree requirements.
3. Earn a minimum of 60 semester hours in degree credit courses for an Associate’s degree. Earn a minimum of 120 semester hours in degree credit courses for a Baccalaureate degree.
4. Complete at least 25% of the semester credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by the University of Louisiana at Monroe. One third of the major credit hour courses and one third of the minor credit hour courses must be included in the 25% degree requirement.
5. Have an overall average of “C” (2.0) in all work to be credited toward the degree for which they are applying, including a “C” average in the major field and a “C” average in the minor field (if any) and a minimum grade of “C” in ENGL 1001 , ENGL 1002 , and the first non-developmental mathematics course required in the major field.
6. Be present for commencement unless the student notifies the Registrar’s Office that he/she will not participate in the ceremony.
7. Pay in full all accounts with the University prior to commencement.
8. Refer to individual college and/or program sections regarding additional course, grade and grade point average, and residence requirements specific to the degree to be earned.
9. Be enrolled in the curriculum in which the degree is to be conferred. A student’s diploma reflects the degree designation as specified by the Board of Regents.

Graduation Average

The graduation average is the corrected average figured on coursework earned toward the degree. When a student repeats a course, the last grade received shall be accepted as the final grade in determining graduation requirements. Students receive their diplomas based upon their individual graduation averages.
 

Degrees with Honors

Students receiving Baccalaureate and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees will be awarded Latin honors in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Cum Laude — awarded to students whose cumulative grade point average is within the range of 3.500 through 3.749
• Magna Cum Laude — awarded to students whose cumulative grade point average is within the range of 3.750 through 3.899
• Summa Cum Laude — awarded to students whose cumulative grade point average is within the range of 3.900 through 4.000

The distinctive Top Graduate status at graduation is bestowed upon the Baccalaureate and/or Doctor of Pharmacy degree graduate(s) with the highest cumulative grade point average.

Students receiving their first associate degree from ULM will be awarded University honors in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Honors — awarded to students whose cumulative grade point average is within the range of 3.500 through 3.799
• High Honors — awarded to students whose cumulative grade point average is within the range of 3.800 through 4.000

The cumulative average is the uncorrected average figured on all courses attempted, which includes ULM, transfer, and repeated courses. A letter grade equivalent must be determined for credit (CR) grades awarded to a student for international transfer coursework in order for the student to receive honors at graduation. A student who has declared Academic Renewal is not eligible for honors recognition at graduation.
 

Requirements for Subsequent or Simultaneous Degree

Students may earn subsequent degrees in a different major provided all requirements are met for the additional degree. The additional degree may be awarded simultaneously with another degree or at a later commencement. Students should consult the Registrar for procedures and requirements. No more than 50 percent of the major coursework applied toward one degree may be shared among other degrees awarded at ULM. The following additional requirements apply:

1. Students must earn a minimum of 30 hours at ULM excluding repeated courses, in addition to the total required for the first degree (15 additional hours for an associate).
2. An associate in General Studies may not be awarded simultaneously with or subsequent to other degrees. A Bachelor’s of General Studies may be awarded only once, regardless of the various major concentrations. A simultaneous degree in General Studies may be earned only if the Major Thematic Concentration Group does not include the academic area in which the student is presently pursuing a degree.
3. An associate degree may not be awarded with or after an upper-level degree in the same major. Degrees may be earned in different areas, such as an A.A. in Criminal Justice and a B.A. in English, or an M.Ed. in Counseling and an A.A. in Criminal Justice. An Associate in General Studies may not be awarded once the Bachelor’s degree or higher is earned.
4. A second degree may not be awarded in General Business if the first degree is in any other field in business.

Requirements for the Second Major

Students who wish to earn a second major may do so by successfully completing all courses required for the second major as specified in this catalog, provided both the primary and secondary majors lead to the same baccalaureate degree (e.g., B.A., B.B.A., B.S.). Supporting courses will not be required. Work for the second major must be of the same quality as that required for the first. As required by the Board of Regents, a student’s diploma will reflect only the degree designation (e.g., Bachelor of Science.) The degree designation, as well as both majors, will appear on the student’s transcript.

Requirements for a Minor

Requirements for a minor for those students pursuing bachelor degrees may be found under “Requirements for a Minor” in the Inventory of Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs (Majors/Minors)  section in this catalog. Students pursuing associate degrees cannot earn a minor. Minor subject areas are not posted on a transcript subsequent to the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
 

Intercollegiate Athletics

The University of Louisiana at Monroe sponsors intercollegiate programs for both men and women.

The men’s program sponsors seven sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field. The women’s program sponsors nine sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. These sports are conducted in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s highest classification—Division I. The University is a member in good standing of the NCAA, the major governing body of intercollegiate athletics. All sports programs at ULM are conducted within the framework of NCAA and Sun Belt Conference regulations concerning student eligibility and other facets of the program.

Athletic scholarships are provided to outstanding men and women athletes in each sport.

Visit http://ulmwarhawks.com/ for more information.

Vehicle Registration

All students, faculty, staff, and other employees of the University must register any motorized vehicle which is to be used on the campus. This registration must be completed immediately after bringing the vehicle on campus. Prior to registration, a vehicle use fee must be paid by each student using a vehicle.

Students, faculty, and staff must register their vehicle, and pay all fines for traffic citation, together with any administrative fee which may be assessed.
 

Veterans Affairs

www.ulm.edu/veterans/

Located in University Library Room 302, the ULM’s Office of Veterans Affairs assists all veterans and dependents in establishing eligibility to receive veterans’ education benefits at ULM.

First-time applicants must submit an application for benefits to the Regional Processing Office (RPO), which is located in Muskogee, OK. A veteran can apply online for benefits at the GI Bill website or via a paper application that is available in the ULM Veterans Affairs office. After a processing time of approximately 8-12 weeks, the veteran will receive a letter stating his/her eligibility status. The letter must be submitted to the ULM Veterans Affairs office in order that the office may retain a copy. Additionally, there are other required forms to be completed in the VA office.

Transfer students who have used their benefits at another institution must complete transfer forms 22-1995 (Request for Change of Program or Place of Training) or 22-5495 (Dependents’ Request for Change of Program or Place of Training). Both forms can be obtained in the VA office on campus.

All students are required to complete pre-enrollment certification sheets for each semester/term for which they are requesting payment.

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the ULM VA Office if any of the following occurs: 1) curriculum change which may affect eligibility of current courses’ applicability to the new degree program; 2) any change in course load which would change the student’s status to full-time or reduce status to less than full-time; and 3) any resignation for a term of enrollment at ULM. These changes may affect a student’s VA benefits and could result in the student being required to repay funds to the Veterans Administration.

National Guard students who receive the state exemption to pay their tuition cannot be on probation and must call 1-225-255-8304.

Dependents of disabled or deceased veterans who are eligible to receive the state exemption must present their original stamped certificate to Student Account Services, Coenen 102.

For more information, please visit the VA’s websites:
http://www.gibill.va.gov (main web-site)
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/How_to_Apply.htm (information on applying for benefits)

ULM Organization Directory 2016-2017

click here  to view current ULM Organization Directory
 

Standards of Conduct for Students

Section Five

Acts Contrary to Individual Rights
Acts Contrary to Orderly Activities
Acts Contrary to Property Rights
Acts Contrary to Public Health and Safety
Acts Contrary to Stated Policy
Acts of Dishonesty, Misuse or Unauthorized Possession
Other Acts of Misconduct

ULM Code of Student Conduct

ULM Code of Student Conduct

Section Five

Finally, to preserve the educational environment of the University community, a student or student organization may be formally charged with a violation of the ULM Code of Student Conduct and referred to a hearing before the appropriate University Administrator or the appropriate University Unit for possible disciplinary action when as a result of misconduct the student or student organization is:

Academic Cheating and Plagiarism

1. Definitions:
   1. Academic cheating includes the accomplishment or attempted accomplishment of the following:
      1. *Copying or obtaining information from another student’s test paper.*
      2. **Using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test.
      3. Collaborating, conspiring, or cooperating during a test with any other person by giving or receiving information without authority.
      4. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining all or part of an unadministered test.
      5. Selling or giving away all or part of an unadministered test or any information concerning specific questions and items on an unadministered test.
      6. Requesting, bribing, blackmailing, or in any other way causing any other person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test or a test in the process of being administered.
      7. Substituting for another student, or permitting any other person to substitute for oneself, to take a test.
      8. Submitting as one’s own, in fulfillment of academic requirements, any theme, report, term paper, essay, other written work, art work, painting, drawing, sculpture, musical composition, or other art work prepared totally or in part by another person.
      9. Any selling, giving, or otherwise supplying to another student for use in fulfilling academic requirements any theme, report, term paper, essay, other written work, painting, drawing, sculpture, or other art work.
      10. Submitting artificially produced data or information in the place of descriptive, experimental, or survey results.
      11. Any other devious means of securing an unearned grade in a non-credit course or in a course offered for credit. 

* A student looking on another student’s paper is considered cheating.
** The presence on one’s person (or in close proximity thereto) of a condensation of test information which could be regarded as a “cheat sheet” will be considered adequate evidence to establish cheating. 

B.  Plagiarism is the use of any other person’s work (such work need not be copyrighted) and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.

II.  Academic Procedures and Censures:

          A. The procedures that must be followed when investigating, reporting, and appealing alleged instances of academic cheating or plagiarism are described in the Student Policy Manual, which can be viewed online at http://www.ulm.edu/studentpolicy under the Cheating and Plagiarism Policy.

Censures (Disciplinary Sanctions)

6.01

The appropriate University Administrator, the appropriate Academic Unit, the Conduct Standards Committee, the Student Organization Judicial Committee, the President’s Appeal Panel, the Title IX Coordinator, the Title IX Appeals Committee, or the Appeals Committees, either prior to or after a hearing, may impose or recommend one or more of the following penalties for a student or a student organization:

Due Process Overview

At the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the due process system consists generally of three major components: 1) the appropriate University Unit reviews a student or student organization case; 2) appropriate University Unit renders a decision concerning the student or student organization case; and 3) if a student’s or student organization’s case meets the standards of an appeal, then the student may appeal the decision of the appropriate University Unit. The course of due process varies depending on the nature of the student case. In matters involving academics, a student case is reviewed in accordance with the “Academic Procedures and Censures”.

Student cases involving off-campus housing, parking and traffic are initially reviewed by the appropriate University Administrator, and the University Administrator returns a determination in the student case. These student cases may be appealed to the respective Appeals Committees—Parking and Traffic Appeals Committee and Housing Appeals Committee. Cases involving sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, dating violence, stalking or retaliation will be reviewed and a determination rendered by the Title IX Coordinator. Determinations may be appealed through the (Title IX) Appeals Committee. Other disciplinary cases may first be reviewed by, or appealed to either the Residential Life Judicial Committee, the Conduct Standards Committee, the Student Organization Judicial Committee, or the appropriate University Administrator depending on the assigned unit of review and the nature of the student case.

All appeals must follow the procedures outlined in Section Eight of the ULM Code of Student Conduct as found in the Student Policy Manual. More specific information regarding due process, hearing procedures and appeal procedures is noted in the Student Policy Manual online and through the Office of student Services, Student Center, Room 239, (318) 342-5230.

Title IX Policy and Resources

View Title IX Policy and Resources