Academics and Records

Statewide General Education Requirements

Board of Regents

State of Louisiana

Approved 26 April 2001

Amended 25 March 2004; 23 May 2012

“The Board of Regents recognizes that all undergraduate academic credentials should contain a broad-based common educational experience that enhances students’ ability to describe, interpret, and analyze their world. In addition to building awareness of a wide range of material and enriching the academic experience, general education should promote intellectual inquiry through basic content and methodology and contribute to the graduate’s ability to communicate effectively in oral and written English.

General education courses should provide an introduction to a discipline, as in a survey course that covers a wide range of material within a specific discipline or area of inquiry and acquaints students with a broad section of the information or skills available in that area, or an appreciation course that introduces students to a creative field and leads to a general understanding and appreciation of work by others.

Depending on the level of the academic credential awarded, education in composition, mathematics and analytical reasoning, natural sciences, humanities, social/behavioral sciences and fine arts is required as part of undergraduate degree and certificate curricula at state colleges and universities. (See the table of Statewide General Education Requirements.) Specific course offerings may vary from one institution to another as the faculty at each campus designates courses that are to be included in the General Education inventory, but such courses share common characteristics essential to the study of academic disciplines.

• English Composition.   Effective written communication skills are essential to prepare students to effectively and intelligently communicate in a variety of contexts. 

• Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning.   As a cornerstone for the liberal arts, engineering, and sciences, mathematical/analytical reasoning skills are an essential component of all disciplines.

• Natural Sciences.   Natural sciences study both life and physical sciences in an approach to understanding the universe by studying objects, phenomena, laws of nature and the physical world. 

• Humanities.   Humanities offer a broad-based study of cultural traditions and the human condition, including everything from language, literature and religion to history, philosophy and communication.

• Social/Behavioral Sciences.   Social and Behavioral Sciences study human behavior and the relationship between individuals and their societies.

• Fine Arts.   The Fine Arts provide an opportunity to explore and to value aesthetic creation and form as an essential means of conceiving and expressing the human experience.

​ In addition to specifics of this policy, all applicable general education requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges shall apply.”

The number of credit hours attempted determines a student’s classification as either full-time or part-time. Any student receiving financial aid should contact the Office of Student Services / Financial Aid to verify the definition of “full time” according to Delta Financial Aid guidelines.

Class attendance is regarded as an obligation and a privilege. Students are expected to regularly and punctually attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to do so may jeopardize a student’s scholastic standing. 

Each instructor keeps a permanent attendance record for each student in each class. These records are subject to inspection by appropriate college officials at any time. Faculty members are required to state in the course syllabus their expectations concerning class attendance prior to the close of the add/drop period. The extent to which attendance and participation in class will impact the grading rubric will be specifically outlined in the syllabus.

In order for students to achieve maximum benefit from courses, the institution has developed an attendance protocol. This protocol involves informing students, through the course syllabus, of specific penalties for unexcused absences. Students should consult their syllabus for specific details and consult with their instructor prior to missing class.

A transfer student can be considered for exemption from Academic Seminar if one or more of the following criteria are met. If the student:

• Possesses an earned degree from another college or university 
• Has taken 30 or more credit hours of college-level work and has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Has successfully completed an equivalent course from another college or university

Louisiana Delta Community College reserves the right to cancel any course listed in the course schedule. In the event that a student is in the last semester of studies prior to graduation and a required course is cancelled, the student should consult his/her advisor, Division Chair, or Program Director.

Only an exceptional student, upon approval from the Program Director or Division Chair, may enroll in more than 18 credit hours in the Fall/Spring semester or 12 hours in the summer semester (6 hours per 5 week session). The maximum allowable course load is 21 credit hours (13 hours in the summer session).

All students entering LDCC must present their ACT/SAT, Accuplacer/Next Generation Accuplacer placement exam scores, or official transcripts as evidence of their proper placement in Reading, Math and English. It is imperative that Delta students complete all developmental courses in a timely fashion. To firmly support their academic preparation and achievement, students in their first semester should enroll in any developmental courses required. They must continue to progress through the sequence until all required courses are complete. Once a sequence is started the student can not test out of the developmental course sequence by retaking the placement exam. 

Students will be permitted to add and drop courses and make schedule changes according to the dates published in the academic calendar. Students are responsible for adding and dropping their classes themselves through Banner Self-Service (LoLA). Students who are not able to add/drop themselves due to technical difficulties or special circumstances must use paper add/drop forms, which are available from the Enrollment Services offices at each campus. It is the student’s responsibility to follow the procedures noted on the add/drop slip. Incomplete add/drop forms will not be accepted and the schedule changes will not be made.

Students may add classes during add/drop period. The add/drop period may be extended if the college determines that a longer time period is necessary (for example, Acts of God, technical difficulties with registration, etc.). Any such changes will be posted to the Academic Calendar. In the case of a class taught once a week, the class cannot be added after it has met for the first time unless the student has approval from his or her Division Chair. Tuition and related fees must be paid at the time classes are added.

Students may drop classes during the add/drop period and the classes will not appear on the official transcript. After the close of add/drop students may withdraw from classes or resign from the college with the grade of “W” provided this transaction is processed by the deadlines indicated on the official Academic Calendar and will be used in the calculation of tuition and fees.

Students may withdraw from courses or resign from the college with a grade of “W” up to the deadline published in the Academic Calendar. Students who stop attending classes without officially withdrawing will receive an “F” in those courses. 

Students who have completed all the necessary requirements for registration in the college, but have not attended classes are considered “No Show” students. This “No Show” status will be determined by the official 14^th day (or equivalent for a given term) roster report. Courses for this semester/term will appear on the student’s official academic record as hours attempted and a failing grade will be assigned to them. See “Purge Policy” for further information regarding purging students for no show/non-attendance.

Definitions:

Attempted Hours – Attempted hours are those hours for which a student registers and does not drop during the drop/add period when registered courses that are dropped do not become part of the academic record. After the drop/add period, all courses become part of the academic record whether the course is withdrawn with a grade of “W” or graded at the end of the semester/term. In addition, all transfer credit articulated will be included in attempted hours and also in earned hours and/or GPA hours based on the grade received. Attempted hours are used in determining financial aid eligibility and is determined by the Financial Aid Office personnel.

Passed/Earned Hours – Earned hours are those hours on the academic record that have a grade of A, B, C, D, S, P, or CR.  Earned hours determines a student’s classification as a freshman or sophomore. Earned hours are used to determine eligibility to receive a degree or award.  Academic areas determine which courses can be used to satisfy requirements toward a specific degree or award.

         Quality Points – Quality points are awarded based on the letter grade that you earn in a class.  These points are then directly used to calculate your GPA which is used to determine academic standing for future enrollment.  The breakdown of points earned for             each letter grade is as follows:

         GPA Hours – GPA hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A – F or I. Credit courses for which a student receives a grade of “P,” “CR,” and “S” are included in earned hours, but not GPA hours. Semester hours for                    which a student registers, but later withdraws with a grade of “W” are included in attempted hours, but not GPA hours.

        GPA - The GPA whether it be the semester GPA or the cumulative GPA are indicators of a student’s success in a specific course, in a term or for the overall record for completion of an award or certificate. GPA is calculated for a specific course, term or                          cumulative in the same manner. To calculate GPA, divide the quality points by the GPA hours. For instance if you have pursued 12 semester GPA hours and earned 24 quality points for a specific semester/term, your GPA for that term would be a 2.0.

        (24 QP/12 GPA HRS = 2.0 GPA)

        Cumulative GPA Hours - Cumulative GPA hours are all hours for which a student has registered and received a final grade of A – F or I at the college as well as all courses articulated in transfer credit.

        Adjusted GPA Hours - Adjusted GPA hours are those credit hours for which a student registers and receives a grade of A- F or I at the home institution, excluding those credit hours removed from the calculation of the student’s grade point average through a               repeat/delete policy and/or those credit hours removed through Academic Amnesty.

        Adjusted Cumulative Grade Point Average - This GPA is adjusted to exclude those quality hours and grades which have been removed from the calculation of a student’s grade point average through a repeat/delete policy and/or Academic Amnesty. This                 adjusted cumulative grade point average is used to determine a student’s academic status.

The letter grade of A, B or C will be given to students who pass a developmental course. The grade of N indicates that the course was not passed and must be repeated. The grade of F is given in a developmental course for excessive absences only and the course must be repeated.

1. Multiply the grade value of the course by the semester hours for that course. The product of the multiplication will be the grade points. 
2. Divide the total grade points by total attempted hours.

3. Divide 32 (Grade Points Column) by 16 (Credit Hours Attempted Column) and the G.P.A. = 2.0

Academic Standing is determined by the student’s institutional academic record. There are two categories of academic status: Academic Probation and Good Standing. Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) will inform students of any changes in their academic status at the end of a completed semester or term. Students have the responsibility to know and understand the ramifications of their academic standing prior to the beginning of the next enrollment period. Academic Status is applicable to credit earned at LDCC. Only institutional hours are used when determining academic status.

Good Standing

Students must earn and maintain a 2.00 Adjusted Cumulative grade point average in order to be considered in good standing.

Academic Probation

Students will be placed on Academic Probation whenever their adjusted cumulative grade point averages falls below a 2.000 and grade point average hours are 15 or more.

Once an adjusted cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher is achieved, a student will be removed from Academic Probation and the record will reflect Good Standing status.

Academic Status for Visiting Students

LDCC does not implement academic status for visiting students since academic standing should be enforced at the student’s home institution.

A student enrolled in a course in which he/she is in good academic standing (“C” or higher) and is making satisfactory progress, but because of circumstances, beyond the student’s control, cannot complete the course, may request an “I” grade. The student must have been attending classes on a regular basis. The student must initiate the request and both the instructor and student must sign the Incomplete Grade Contract Form. These forms are available from the instructor. The contract will contain the reason for requesting the “I” grade, an outline of the work that is to be completed and the deadline by which the work is to be completed. Unless otherwise stated, work must be completed and the “I” grade converted to a letter grade no later than the last day to withdraw from a class with the grade of “W” (as stated on the Academic Calendar) the semester following the semester the “I” grade was earned. If the “I” grade is not removed, it automatically becomes an “F”. Exceptions to this deadline must be approved by the appropriate Division Chair/Program Director.

All academic appeals related to final grades received in courses must be initiated within seven (7) calendar days from the end of term date for the course within the semester.  Failure to appeal within the seven (7) calendar day period will result in the waiver of the student’s rights to appeal the grade.

Conditions for Appealing a Final Grade

Only final grades in a course may be appealed. Final grades may only be appealed if at least one of the following conditions exist:

• The instructor departed substantially from his/her previously articulated written standards, without notifying students, in determining the grade.
• The instructor has imposed criteria different from those used to evaluate the academic work of other students in the class as outlined in the course syllabus.
• The instructor has demanded as a condition of passing a course a requirement not germane to the subject matter of the course.
• The instructor has made a calculation error and the student has tangible evidence to support the claim that an error was made.

Burden of Proof
The grade assigned by the instructor is assumed to be correct and the student appealing the grade must justify the need for a change of the grade assigned.

Procedures for Appealing a Final Grade
***Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) students must begin at Step 2 below***

1) The grade appeal begins with the student submitting, in writing, an appeal to the faculty member. If the faculty member agrees that a course grade change is warranted, the faculty member will complete a “Grade Change Form”, obtain the written signature of his/her division chair/program director, and forward the form to the Registrar with a copy to the Division Chair/Program Director. If the faculty member does not agree to the grade change, his/her written response to the student must explain why the appeal is being denied. Email will suffice as written correspondence.
 

2) If the faculty member denies the appeal or does not respond to the appeal within 5 calendar days, the student may appeal to the Division Chair/Program Director. Appeals to the Division Chair/Program Director must be made using the ”Grade Appeal to the Division Chair/Program Director Form” and must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the final grade assignment. Division Chairs/Program Directors may meet with the student and/or faculty member. Division Chairs/Program Directors must respond, in writing, to student grade appeals within 10 calendar days of receipt. If the Division Chair/Program Director grants the appeal, the Division Chair/Program Director must complete a “Grade Change Form” and forward the form to the Registrar, with a copy to the faculty member. If the Division Chair/Program Director denies the appeal, his/her written response to the student must explain why the appeal is being denied. Email will suffice as written correspondence.

*** ASN students must submit their grade appeals within 7 calendar days of the final grade assignment and must do so using the “Grade Appeal to the Division Chair/Program Director Form” (found on the LDCC website). ASN students will have their grade appeal reviewed by the Nursing Faculty Association’s Appeals Committee. The Committee must respond, in writing, within 7 calendar days of receipt of the appeal***

3) If the grade has not been resolved through meetings with the faculty member and Division Chair/Program Director, the student may appeal to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. Appeals to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs must be made using the “Grade Appeal to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Form” and must be submitted within 5 calendar days of notification from the Division Chair/Program Director that a grade appeal has been denied. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs may meet with the student, Division Chair/Program Director, and/or faculty member. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs must respond, in writing, to student grade appeals within 10 calendar days of receipt, notifying the student, faculty member, and Division Chair/Program Director on the correspondence. If the Vice Chancellor grants the appeal, he/she must complete a “Grade Change Form” and forward the form to the Registrar, with a copy to the Division Chair/Program Director and the faculty member. If the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs denies the appeal, his/her written response to the student must explain why the appeal is being denied. Email will suffice as written correspondence. The Vice Chancellor’s decision will be final and binding.

Policy

The highest grade earned at Louisiana Delta Community College or another accredited institution will be used to determine acceptability of the course for prerequisite and degree requirements. All attempts of the course where a lower grade was earned will be flagged as repeated and maintained on the academic record in the attempted hours, and the highest attempt will be computed in attempted hours, passed/earned hours, quality points, grade point average hours, and grade point average.

Professional programs within the College may set specific rules regarding the treatment of repeat courses in calculating the grade point average necessary for entry into the graduation from those programs. Agencies and organizations which provide financial assistance/scholarships (federal and state government, businesses, etc.) may have requirements relative to course withdrawal and course repeats which are more stringent than those described here. It is the student’s responsibility to verify the effects of his/her enrollment and/or withdrawal upon financial aid.

Procedure

Upon completion of the class, once the new grade is posted, the repeated course or will be excluded (marked with an E on SHACRSE) and the new grade will be included (marked as I). The original grade remains on the transcript, but is marked as repeated and removed from the GPA calculation.

This policy is retroactively applied to all students.

Grade reports reflecting the result of a student’s course work will be generated by the Enrollment Services (Registrar) Office within five (5) business days following the end of each semester/session. Grade reports are available on LoLA Self Service. Questions about the information on the grade report should be directed to Enrollment Services.

Chancellor’s List:  

At the end of each regular semester, the Chancellor’s List is published recognizing those full-time students enrolled in at least 12 semester hours who earn a semester GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Honor’s List:  

At the end of each regular semester, the Honor’s List is published recognizing those full-time students enrolled in at least 12 semester hours who earn a semester GPA of 3.50 to 3.74.

A student should meet on a regular basis with his or her academic advisor to ensure that progress is being made toward the completion of a degree. The academic advisor/Division Chair holds initial responsibility to determine the application of transferable course work to a degree program. 

An official degree audit must be requested from the advisor upon the completion of 42 semester hours for a program of 60+ hours. If the program is less than 60 hours, the degree audit will be completed upon completion of 75% of the required hours for the program. To verify that they have satisfied all graduation requirements, the College highly encourages all students to meet with an advisor. However, it is the responsibility of the student to make sure he/she is meeting all certification requirements based on the College Catalog curriculum.

Delta encourages students to achieve at their highest ability to attain their educational and career goals. All courses used to fulfill graduation requirements, including courses from other accredited institutions, will be used to calculate the grade point average for honors designations. Students who have earned an associate degree or a technical diploma and maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or above will receive honors recognition in the commencement program as noted below:

Delta also recognizes students earning a grade point average of 3.0 - 3.49.

All candidates exiting the program they are enrolled in must meet the following requirements:

• Complete all curriculum requirements described in the College Catalog in effect at the time of first enrollment at Delta. If students change their program of study or major, or if they do not enroll at Delta for a fall or spring semester, they must use the catalog in effect at the time of the change of program of study or the return to Delta.
• Receive approval in writing from the VCAA for any deviation from the curriculum, as stated in the catalog being followed.
• Complete the required General Education courses with the grade of “C” or higher.
• Complete a minimum of 25 percent of the semester hours required for the degree through instruction at Delta. Appeals to this rule may be made with the VCAA.
• Complete the required coursework for the degree with the grade of a “C” or higher.
• Be enrolled and in attendance at Delta during the semester of graduation. Appeals to this rule may be made to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
• Fulfill all obligations and regulations, including financial, to the College prior to established dates. Financial aid recipients must attend an exit interview before they will be allowed to participate in graduation or receive a diploma. Students should contact the Office of Student Services for details.
• Complete the graduation application in LoLA by the deadline noted in the Academic Calendar in the semester prior to the semester in which graduation is anticipated.
• Participating in commencement exercises is not mandatory, but encouraged to all graduates.

Students can receive two credentials - degrees or technical diplomas - both awarded at the same time. Prior to completing requirements for the two credentials, students must notify the Division Chair of their program of their intent to complete both programs. Both degrees or technical diplomas cannot be within the same Board of Regents approved Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP Code). 

To earn concurrent credentials, students must meet all graduation requirements for the concurrent/second credential: if the two credentials are associate degrees, students must earn at least 15 additional semester hours for a second associate degree in a second major (9 additional semester hours for technical diplomas). Earned credit hours cannot apply toward the first degree or technical diploma. In degree programs where there are several concentrations, a different concentration is not considered a second degree, and therefore cannot be used to earn a degree twice.

Note that students completing the requirements for an associate degree in which a technical diploma and/or certificate credentials are embedded, or a technical diploma in which certificate credentials are embedded, will be awarded each certificate, technical diploma and/or associate degree. ​

The completion of multiple credentials embedded within a single technical diploma or associates degree is not considered to be concurrent completion.

Students are expected to complete the requirements for a degree as listed in the catalog in effect at the time they first enrolled. If a student changes his/her major, the catalog in effect at the time the official change of major is processed must be followed. Also, if students fail to enroll at Delta for one regular semester, the student must reapply for admission and the catalog in effect at the time they return must be followed. As an alternative, students may choose to graduate under the catalog in effect at the time they complete the program requirements.

A degree-seeking student may transfer from one degree or certificate program to another. A non-degree-seeking student may declare a major after meeting the admission requirements for a degree- or certificate- seeking student. A Change of Major form must be completed with academic advisor and turned in to Enrollment Services. 

The Change of Major form can be downloaded on the Student Resources webpage. 

https://www.ladelta.edu/academics/student-resources/index

Admissions Office

The Director of Recruitment and Admissions oversees the operation of the Admissions Office personnel, policies, and procedures. The main functions of this office are to take applications for admissions, collect other required admission documents, and evaluate credentials. Placement testing is conducted by the Testing Center prior to each registration period, and at other times by appointment. For additional information, students should contact the Admissions Office.

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar is responsible for the maintenance and security of student academic records as well as the scheduling of early, regular and late registration sessions each semester. The dates for registration, add/drop, and the deadline to withdraw from classes are published in the Academic Calendar. Registration is not complete until all appropriate fees and tuition have been paid or payment arrangements have been made.

Transcripts

Student records, including academic transcripts, are housed in the Office of Enrollment Services. Copies of these records are available to students through electronic requests. Transcripts will not be sent to a third party without an electronic release signed by the student unless the request is from an authorized agency of the government. Students must notify Enrollment Services of any legal name changes. Changes in mailing address or phone number can be updated through the student’s Lola account. Students are held responsible for all communications sent by the College to the last address provided.

Change of Name

The only acceptable document to verify a name change is presenting the name change on an official social security card. The student can bring the official social security card to their campus Enrollment Services.

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records.  The law governs access to records maintained by educational institutions and the release of information from those records.  Louisiana Delta Community College is required to provide students with basic information about their rights under FERPA.

Your rights under FERPA include the following:

• The right to inspect and review your educational records within a reasonable time after the college receives a request for access
• The right to request an amendment of your educational records if you believe something is inaccurate or misleading
• The right to restrict disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in your educational records, unless otherwise authorized under FERPA
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the college to comply with the requirements of FERPA

Two notable exceptions to the student’s right to restrict disclosure of information from the student’s record:

1. Directory Information may be released by the college without the student’s prior consent.  Directory Information includes a student’s name, address(es), date of birth, dates of attendance, degrees and dates received, current schedule of classes (released to LDCC, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies only), classification (e.g., freshman, sophomore), program and major, full and part-time status, and level (i.e., undergraduate).
   • What you may restrict:  Although the college is not required to have the student’s consent before releasing Directory Information, the students have the right to prohibit the release of all or part of any item(s) listed as directory information by submitting a Permissions Restrict/Release Educational Records form. This request to restrict the release of information becomes a part of the student’s record and remains in effect (even after graduation) until the student instructs the College, in writing, to remove the hold status on the record. Requests for releasing any Directory Information should be directed to the Registrar release the information hold on his/her record.
   • Withholding Directory Information prohibits the college from releasing information to anyone, including YOU, THE STUDENT.  If this universal information is in place, anyone requesting information on the record will be told that there is no record of that student at all.
   • What you may not restrict:  A student does not have the right to restrict access to their records for college officials deemed to have “legitimate educational interests.”  A college official is determined to have a legitimate educational interest if that official needs access to the student’s educational record in order to fulfill his or her official responsibilities.
   • Examples of people who may have access within their official duties include:  college faculty and staff, agents of the institution, students employed by the institution or who serve on official institutional committees, and representatives of agencies under contract with the college.
2. Degrees awarded to a student are considered public information and can be released by the college without the student’s prior consent.  In addition to the degree itself, the college can release information pertaining to the degree earned including honors received, majors, minors and specializations.  This information is releasable because the degrees are conferred in a public ceremony.

By completing the appropriate information release, a student can authorize another individual or organization to access his or her information.  These designations can be changed by the student at any time by filling out the following forms based on what the student desires and turning them into Enrollment Services:

1. Authorization for Release
2. Revocation of Authorization
3. Release or Restrict Directory Information 

If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar at 318-345-9126.

All current and previous students of Delta or NELTC can request their official college or GED transcript through the school website, https://www.ladelta.edu/academics/student-resources/request-a-transcript

PLEASE CONTACT THE CAMPUS YOU ATTENDED IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

Delta reserves the right to change faculty members listed in the course schedule because of course cancellation, class splits, or other conditions that necessitate the reassignment of faculty. Students should be cautioned that the listing of an instructor’s name in the course schedule is no guarantee that the specific instructor will teach the course.

While the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and Louisiana Delta Community College recognize that research and scholarship should be encouraged without regard to potential gain from licensing fees, royalties, or other income, the System and College also recognize that intellectual properties and discoveries may arise from the activities of faculty, staff, and students in the course of their duties or through the use of institutional resources.  The policies governing the administration of such intellectual properties should provide adequate recognition and incentive to developers and, at the same time, ensure that the system institution will share in the rights pertaining to intellectual properties in which they have an equity.  LCTCS institutions are committed to assisting their faculty and other researchers in properly disclosing their scholarly work, in complying with applicable laws and formal agreements, and in gaining the protections available under the United States laws governing patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other appropriate provisions.

Academic advising is an important activity for every student. It is the time for the student to discuss with his/her advisor academic, career, and life goals. Students are assigned an advisor who will review the student’s academic record, assist in designing a plan of study and assist with the registration process. Students should communicate regularly with their advisor throughout their enrollment at Delta. All faculty members are available for academic advising during their posted office hours. The goal of academic advisement is to help students progress through their degree plan to the completion of requirements to graduate.

Delta provides students the opportunity to renew their academic record. The student must not have been enrolled in college level course work for two consecutive years (24 months), demonstrate that the conditions that led to the academic deficiencies have changed and complete the necessary steps to be considered for Academic Renewal. Academic Renewal can only be awarded once in an academic lifetime and cannot be declared for any period that was previously used for an awarded credential. 

The following standards apply:

• The student must submit an application for admission, submit an official transcript from those colleges from which the student desires to use credits for placement, completion of degree requirements, or as directed by specific programs (i.e. nursing) (excluding Delta), and be admitted to the College.

• The student must submit a request for Academic Renewal along with supporting documents to the Enrollment Services Office before or during the first semester of enrollment.

• If Academic Renewal is not declared during the first term of enrollment, the student can retroactively request Academic Renewal to be effective the first term of attendance in an active term without any gaps in attendance and must have maintained a minimum of a 2.0 term GPA for every term up to the date of the application for Academic Renewal. In addition, if Academic Renewal is declared using this process; only those courses prior to the two-year lapse of enrollment will be considered for renewal.

• The student must also submit a letter of explanation to include evidence that there is reasonable expectation of future satisfactory performance.

• Enrollment Services reviews the academic record to determine eligibility to be considered for Academic Renewal.

• If Enrollment Services determines that the student is eligible to request Academic Renewal, the application will be submitted to the appropriate academic division chair/campus director for review and consideration.

• Delta will recognize Academic Renewal granted by other institutions in the LCTCS System without appeal of acceptance.

• Delta MAY recognize Academic Renewal from institutions outside the LCTCS System, but the student must submit a request to apply it to his/her record.

• A non-LCTCS institution may choose to accept or deny the transfer of Academic Renewal granted by Delta. Students are encouraged to investigate the Academic Renewal policy if they plan to transfer to another institution.

• Applying for Academic Renewal does not ensure approval.

• If student is approved for Academic Renewal, the actual implementation of Academic Renewal will be contingent upon successful completion of course work (with a semester GPA of no less than 2.0) during their first term of enrollment (after approval) to ensure academic success. It will be the student’s responsibility to return to Enrollment Services for review of the academic success. If the semester average is less than a 2.0, Academic Renewal will not be implemented on the student’s academic transcript and the approval for Academic Renewal will be null and void.

• If the first term of enrollment after appeal for Academic Renewal is successful with a semester GPA of no less than 2.0, Academic Renewal will be implemented on the academic transcript. Only credits with grades of A, B, C, S, P, and CR will remain as credits earned to be used to satisfy requirements for awards and will be used in the cumulative GPA.

• All other grades (considered unsuccessful passes) will be flagged for Academic Renewal. These credits will be excluded from earned and GPA hours and will not be used in the GPA. In addition, these credits will not be used to meet graduation requirements.

• These credits, however, will remain on the transcript as attempted hours and will be used to determine eligibility for financial aid. A student who receives Academic Renewal may or may not be eligible for financial aid at Delta. Contact Financial Aid for more information.

• A student who received Academic Renewal will have the total cumulative grade point average (including courses waived by Academic Renewal) considered for academic honors awarded at graduation.

• If granted, Academic Renewal will be noted on the academic transcript. 

Students are cautioned that many undergraduate curricula and graduate professional schools compute the undergraduate grade point average on all hours attempted when considering applications for admission.

Students must sign the application for Academic Renewal certifying that they understand the ramifications and accept all the terms of Academic Renewal. 

A copy of the Petition for Academic Renewal can be located at the link below.

https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1558933/ecbeffe8-ef90-11e9-9d39-12ae0ad320c0/2009944/66146f12-ff0f-11e9-9fca-12802e5e92dc/file/Petition-for-Academic-Renewal.pdf

Transfer Credit

LDCC accepts transfer credit from traditional sources, and non-traditional sources if the course meets the established requirements for course description, syllabus and instructor credentials. Transfer credit for courses taken at other institutions by students enrolled in a degree or certificate program will be accepted at the discretion of the Division Chair.  

All prior official transcripts received that are from regionally accredited institutions of higher education will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. LDCC will compute the grade point average in the same manner as is done for a LDCC student. All credits earned at regionally accredited schools are accepted and will be articulated as transfer credit; however, not all credits earned may be applied toward a particular degree or certificate. Acceptance of transfer credits to meet degree/certificate program requirements will be governed by the following guidelines:

• Acceptance of courses more than 10 years old to meet degree requirements is determined by the appropriate Division Chair in conjunction with the Academic Advisor
• Acceptance of courses that are not equivalent to courses taught at Delta is determined by the appropriate Division Chair in conjunction with the Academic Advisor
• Grades for transferred courses will be interpreted according to the Delta grading scale and will be recorded as follows:
  • Plus (+) or minus (-) symbols will be disregarded.
  • Grades of Pass, Credit and Satisfactory will be treated alike and count in hours attempted and earned only.
  • Failing grades including WF will count as hours attempted, quality hours, quality points and will impact GPA
  • A grade of “N” will count in attempted hours only.
  • Incomplete (“I”) grades will be calculated as “F”.
  • Quarter hours will be converted to semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by two-thirds.

• Only those courses in which the grade of “C” or higher has been earned will be used to fulfill degree requirements.
• Students are not required to provide transcripts from other institutions. If a student wants to use any of the grades they earned or courses they completed while attending another accredited institution towards placement or degree completion, they will need to request an official transcript to be sent to Delta prior to their first term of attendance.
• Transcripts for degree seeking students will be evaluated during the first semester at Delta by the Division Chair in conjunction with the Academic Advisor.
• Official transcripts must be received within 30 days from the beginning of the start of a transfer student’s first term of attendance.
• Transcripts received by the deadline will be articulated and calculated into the cumulative grade point average by the last week of the first half part-of-term.
• A grade of “C” or better is required to meet pre-requisite or program requirements. 
• The Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education Student Transfer Guide for General Education Articulation Matrix will be used to determine course equivalencies for the general education courses from all Louisiana public colleges and universities, as well as individual transfer guides from institutions with which LDCC has entered into transfer agreements.
• Transfer credits from non-regionally accredited institutions are not generally accepted at LDCC. A request for a review of this type credit may be made to the appropriate Division Chair.

Lifespan of Coursework

Delta is interested in moving its students toward the successful completion of their associate degree (s) regardless of when or where they began their college program, or what courses they have taken to support their degree progress. Previous college course work will be transferred to Delta for purposes of establishing grade point average and admission status. Any questions of institutional accreditation, faculty credentialing or, if the course is over ten years old, will automatically be referred to the appropriate Division Chair for review and approval.

Correspondence Courses

Delta does not offer correspondence courses. Students who wish to use credit from correspondence courses taken through other accredited institutions to meet degree or certificate requirements must receive permission from the Division Chair prior to registering for the correspondence course.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a process that enables learners to demonstrate what they have learned and translate that learning into college credit. LDCC awards credit for non-traditional learning based on results of national tests such as CLEP, AP, DANTES, and other extra-institutional examination programs; the institution’s faculty-developed credit by examinations; military training and industry-based certifications, and others as approved by the College’s Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

LDCC follows the LCTCS policy 1.023 LCTCS Policy on Credit for Prior Learning -

“The purpose of this policy is to establish means for awarding college credits to students who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program within the LCTCS through the use of evidence of experience already acquired that meets the course objectives. Students will receive credit for demonstrated mastery of learning objectives that are equivalent to the learning objectives of courses offered for credit. Such non-traditional means may include – but are not limited to –

• CLEP, AP, DSST, credit for past learning and/or life experiences
• Military training documented in the Joint Services Transcript or other official military records
• Industry-based certifications
• Portfolio assessment of college level learning acquired through work experiences
• Non –academic instruction evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE)
• State or National certification or licensure
• Others as approved by the institution’s chief academic officer.”

Credit for Prior Learning Procedure

• No more than 25% of the total hours applicable toward the attainment of a degree or certificate may be awarded through CPL. Graduates from LDCC curricula must complete a minimum of 25% of the semester hours required for the degree through instruction at LDCC.
• CPL credits satisfy prerequisite requirements in the same manner that their course equivalencies do at the institution.
• All CPL must be awarded before the semester prior to graduation.
• A student may not apply for CPL for a course that he/she is currently enrolled in, for a course that they have previously taken with a failing grade, or for a course in which he/she has audited.
• For credit for prior learning in which a grade is not awarded, a “CR” for credit is recorded on the student’s transcript.
• LDCC accepts credit for prior learning credits that have been awarded by other regionally accredited institutions as per the college’s Transfer Credit Policy and Procedure. These credits have the same limitations in their use in meeting graduation requirements as do prior learning credits earned at LDCC and will be used in computing the total hours of credit for prior learning for which a student is eligible.
• A student who intends to use credit for prior learning in a course in which a grade has not been awarded to meet degree requirements at another institution should check the requirements of the receiving institution.
• Students who have taken a College Board Advanced Placement Credit Examination must have scored at least a 3 or 4 (dependent upon the credit they are seeking) to receive appropriate course credit. The student must request that an official transcript from the College Board be sent to the College Registrar. Advanced Placement scores are valid for 3 years from original test date. When advanced Placement Credit is considered for placement purposes, the placement decision is made by the Division Chair.
• Requisite criteria for evaluation for Professional Certification Credit are determined by the Division Chair in partnership with department faculty.
• A student who has not earned college-level credit in a subject area may take a Placement Examination (CLEP, DSST, or AP) for courses offered by LDCC.
• To apply for Placement Credit or Military Training and Experience Credit, the student must be eligible for admission to LDCC as a student.
• Course credit hours earned by Advanced Placement, Military Training and Experience Credit, Professional Certification, or Credit by Exam are awarded and recorded by the Registrar’s office. Credit hours earned are assigned a “CR” grade for credit.  No quality points are earned and such credit does not enter into grade point average determination.
• Enrolled students in good academic standing must be pursuing a LDCC credential to apply for Credit by Examination, or Professional Certification Credit.
• Students may only apply for Credit by Examination or Professional Certification Credit for courses directly applicable to curriculum requirements in the student’s declared certificate, diploma, or degree program.
• A student may apply for Credit by Examination only one time for the same course.
• To award a grade for Credit by Examination, the appropriate faculty in coordination with their Division Chairs will develop a matrix or rubric that clearly identifies the published course learning outcomes and techniques for assessing mastery at the 100, 90, 80, and 70% levels.  This rubric or matrix will be affirmed by the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
• All work assessed by Credit by Examination must meet a minimum of “C” level proficiency for all the course learning outcomes and/or technical competencies. This “C” level must be determined by the faculty to maintain academic integrity and rigor.

Definitions of Types of Credit for Prior Learning Awarded by LDCC

Prior Learning Credit refers to college-level examinations delivered by a third-party vendor that allow students to receive college credits in certain courses. Types of Prior Learning Credit  accepted by the college are:

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - CLEP assesses proficiency in general education through 33 tests in five subject areas including mathematics, writing, communications, and science.  Most CLEP examinations cover lower level and introductory knowledge in these subject areas.
• DSST (DANTES) - DSST examinations test knowledge in both lower- and upper-level college material through 38 tests in six subject areas.
• Advanced Placement (AP) - Advanced Placement (AP) exams are a series of examinations developed by the College Board for Advanced Placement High School classes in 19 subject areas. Students who have taken a College Board AP Credit Examination must have scored at least a 3 or 4 (dependent upon the credit they are seeking) to receive appropriate course credit.
• Military Training and Experience Credit - Students who have achieved military education and training credit may apply for acceptance of these credits toward the appropriate degree. Students must be able to provide a Joint Service Transcript and DD Form 214. 
• Professional Certification Credit (Industry Based Certification – IBC) - For courses in which professional certifications are utilized as an assessment tool, students may receive college credit for a course based on possessing such professional certifications.  To receive credit, the student must provide the college with the appropriate documentation to validate the IBC.  The IBC must have been received within the past 3 years.
• National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) - Students who have earned a National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) during the past three years may receive credit for SPPR 2991. To earn the NCRC, students must take and pass the three WorkKeys assessments–Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. Students will need to submit a copy of the NCRC certificate or a copy of the official score reports for each part of the assessment.

Students desiring credit for course work in any of the above manners must request a Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) form from the Registrar’s office or print a CPL form from the ladelta.edu website. The form can be located here, https://www.ladelta.edu/sites/default/assets/File/STUDENT_RESOURCES/LDCC-Request-for-Prior-Learning-Credit18Aug17.pdf

Credit by Examination (CBE)

Credit by examination is available for select courses. A student with prior occupational or educational experience may earn credit for courses in certain LDCC courses which are in the student’s program. A challenge examination is given to students who wish to seek credit for a course through a procedure other than normal class instruction or transfer of credit from another post-secondary institution. Challenge examinations will be given only in exceptional situations when a student meets eligibility requirements. Not all courses are eligible for challenge exam. Students are encouraged to consider CLEP subject exams.

• The Division Chair determines if credit for the course may be obtained by challenge examination, and notes decision on the Cedit for Prior Learning form.
• If approved, the academic supervisor will notify the student. The student must confirm agreement of the prescribed challenge exam and pay a non-refundable examination/transcription fee.
• Upon completion of the prescribed challenge exam, the material will be evaluated. 
• The Division Chair will submit the Credit for Prior Learning form and testing documentation to the Registar’s office.
• If the student successfully passes the exam, the credit will be posted to the student’s academic record.

Regulations governing the challenge examinations:

• Challenge credit is available only to students admitted to and enrolled as a student at LDCC.
• A student will not be permitted to take a challenge examination if the student has:
  • Audited course
  • Taken the course previously
  • Received credit for a higher course in a series or sequence
  • Previously challenged the course through challenge examination
• A passing grade for a challenge will appear on the transcript as “CR” for pass credit. Credit earned through challenge examinations is not used in the computation of the student’s attempted hours, quality points, or cumulative grade point average, but may be counted as credit toward the degree for graduation.
• Request for a challenge examination must be received by the end of the second week of the semester. Examination is taken after payment is received and completed by the end of the fourth week of the semester, unless otherwise approved by the Registrar.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

LDCC awards credit through CLEP (College Level Examination Program) in accordance with the score equivalencies recommended by the American Council on Education. The grade of “CR” will be assigned to all course work completed through CLEP.

Credit will be awarded as indicated on the chart below.

Credit Based on ACT/SAT Scores

College credit will be awarded to students who earn appropriate scores on the ACT/SAT in English and Math.

Credit will be awarded for English 101 to students who meet the following minimum criteria for ACT or SAT scores earned in a single test:

                English 101

• An ACT English score of 28 or above and an ACT Composite score of 25
• An SAT Verbal score of 630 plus a combined SAT Verbal and SAT Math total score of 1130

Credit will be awarded for Math 110 to students who meet the following minimum criteria for ACT or SAT scores earned in a single test:

                MATH 110

• An ACT Math score of 26 or higher
• An SAT Math score of 600 or higher

Credit is awarded only for official scores sent directly to LDCC from the testing company.

Advanced Placement Exam Credit

College credit will be awarded to students who earn appropriate scores on the College Board Advanced Placement Test.

Students who are admitted to Louisiana Delta Community College are eligible to register for classes. Prior to registration all students must:

• Meet with the designated faculty member for advisement and verification of the selection of appropriate course(s) for the degree program being pursued by the student.
• Meet with a financial aid advisor (if applying for federal financial aid) to verify that all necessary documents have been completed and received by the Financial Aid Office.
• Fulfill all financial obligations or make appropriate financial arrangements with the Bursar’s office with regards to tuition, fees, fines, etc.
• Follow dates and deadlines on the academic calendar for advising, registration, and payment. 

Students seeking to enroll at LDCC are not required to provide placement examination scores at the time of admission. However, the purpose of the placement exam is to measure a student’s academic level to determine a student’s need for developmental education course(s) in math, English, or reading. Individual courses and select degrees may have academic placement requirements. If a student seeks to enroll in a college level course, the student must satisfy one of the following:

• Provide ACT, SAT, Compass, or Accuplacer scores at or above the pre-requisite requirements.
• Successfully complete the pre-requisite coursework at Louisiana Delta Community College with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Provide an official transcript from a regionally accredited university documenting successful completion of the equivalent pre-requisite coursework with the grade of “C” or better. 

Students failing to meet one of these requirements will be required to start at the 095 level for all mathematics, English, or reading courses.

Click here to view placement test score table.

Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing program requires applicants to place at a minimum score on the Next Generation Accuplacer. Click here to view the practical nursing placement table.

Applicants to the Practical Nursing Program may retest for program/course placement (after a waiting period of a minimum of 5 business days) a maximum of two times prior to developmental course placement (three times total). After three unsuccessful attempts, a student must enroll in a developmental education course or complete 40 clock hours of developmental instruction from the LDCC’s Center for Adult Development. Upon successful completion, the student is eligible to retest. If the student does not attend and complete the developmental course or 40 clock hours of instruction, the waiting period for the exam will be three years. 

PURPOSE

In compliance with the policy set forth by the Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana and in recognition of the needs of students who are subject to unforeseen mobilization/activation in response to local, regional, national, and international emergency situations, LDCC has adopted the following procedures to help minimize the effects of this disruption as much as possible.

Louisiana Board of Regents Academic Affairs Policy: 2.21

Uniformed Service Mobilization

A.A. 2.21 Approved: 26 August 2015

In order to qualify under the provisions of this policy, students must present to the registrar or other appropriate college/university official a copy of military orders indicating their mobilization or activation. Students should contact the Division Chair of their degree as soon as they are in receipt of their orders. The Division Chair will inform them of the procedures to be followed. If, due to time constraints between the time of notification and the time of actual mobilization or activation, the students cannot present their orders as required, the parents, guardians, or spouse of the student may do so.

I. Awarding of Academic Credit/Grades

A. Students in the uniformed services who are mobilized/activated during a semester or term will be given the option of either: (1) complete withdrawal from the college or university for the semester; or (2) withdrawal from or continuation in individual courses within the college or university upon a determination that institution guidelines are met and that it is educationally sound to allow such continuation. Students who choose to remain enrolled in some or all courses should be provided reasonable support to ensure that the pursuit of education is disrupted to the minimum extent possible and that no undue penalties are assessed due to a military call to service.

B. Course Withdrawals. When mobilization/activation occurs prior to the college or university census date, mobilized students who withdraw will incur no penalty or grade in any course. Those who withdraw from all courses will be given a complete withdrawal from the college or university (with 100 percent refund of tuition and fees which have been paid, including student insurance and other non-refundable fees). After the census date, mobilized students who withdraw from a course shall receive a grade of “W” in the course and 100 percent refund of course-related tuition and fees which have been paid, excluding student insurance fees and other non-refundable fees. When possible, transcripts should be annotated to reflect that the resignation is the result of activation for military duty. Room and board payments will be refunded on a prorated basis, regardless of the date of involuntary mobilization/activation.

C. Continued Enrollment After Involuntary Mobilization/Activation. Students may choose to remain enrolled in individual courses upon a determination that it is educationally sound to allow such continuation and with the concurrence of the instructor and dean (or equivalent), as required by college or university guidelines. For courses in which enrollment is continued, institution policies should address, at a minimum, and dependent upon the date of involuntary mobilization, provisions for students to request: (a) a grade of incomplete; (b) a final grade based upon course work prior to the date of mobilization; or (c) an early final examination in order that the instructor can determine a final course grade. Those students who receive incomplete grades shall have no longer than one year after conclusion of the involuntary term of active duty to meet with university officials and work out a timetable for removing the incomplete grades.

II. Academic Status Upon Re-enrollment. When students whose enrollment was interrupted by mobilization/activation re-enroll in the same institution within one year of completion of their involuntary term of active service, the  college or university will make every possible effort to place the students back into their academic studies track as close as possible to the same place they occupied when mobilized/activated. The normal readmission application fee will be waived for these students.

A. Reasonable attempts should be made to give preferential enrollment into high demand courses necessary for these students to continue their studies with as little interruption as possible.

B. Time spent on active duty should not be counted in determining the catalog under which the student must meet curricular or degree requirements; involuntary mobilization/activation will not be considered a break in continuous attendance, for catalog purposes. A person who, upon being offered separation from involuntary active duty, reenlists or otherwise voluntarily extends active duty, may be considered to have broken continuous attendance.

C. In instances of substantial change to curricula or course inventory during the period of involuntary military service, the institution shall make reasonable accommodations with substitute courses, independent study or other appropriate means. If a student’s curriculum no longer exists at the time of re-enrollment, the institution shall reasonably assist the student in changing to a new curriculum or transferring to an institution where the desired curriculum is available.

III. Scholarships. A student who is mobilized/activated while holding a scholarship under the control of the college or university in which the student is enrolled shall have the scholarship, or an equivalent scholarship, reinstated upon re-enrolling at the college or university after the period of involuntary active duty so long as he/she remains otherwise eligible. This provision shall lapse if the student does not re-enroll in the same college or university within one year from the time of separation from the involuntary active duty.

IV. Books. If course textbooks are to continue being used in subsequent semesters or terms for courses from which a mobilized/activated student withdraws, colleges and universities should arrange for the purchase of these textbooks by the campus bookstore, when possible.

V. Student Grants and Loans. Students who have been awarded grants or loans and are mobilized/activated at any time during the semester or term should be advised to consult with the Financial Aid Office of the college or university they are attending in order to obtain clarification and/or further information on the status or repayment requirements of any existing grants and loans for attending college. Students on any State aid (e.g., TOPS, GO) should be urged to contact the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance before leaving the campus (www.osfa.state.la.us)

PURPOSE 
 
Louisiana Delta Community College wants to allow returning students an opportunity to retroactively earn a diploma or associate degree by transferring courses from an accredited institution. 
 
Reverse transfer students must follow the guidelines below: 
 

• Meet all LDCC graduation requirements, with exception to being enrolled the term of graduation. The student will only be enrolled in ‘absentia’ during the graduation term.
• Student will follow diploma/degree requirements under current catalog year. 
• Be currently enrolled at or graduated from an accredited institution.  
• Current or earned diploma/degree program cannot be in the same field of study as the diploma/degree pursued at LDCC. 
• Student must complete an application for a Reverse Transfer. 
• Student must reapply to the College.  
• Student must complete graduation application.  
• Student must meet all admission, registration, and graduation deadlines. 

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, the Louisiana State Board of Regents and Louisiana Delta Community College are committed to a student complaint process that is fair, timely, and effective. This policy establishes a process by which (distance education or face-to-face) students can initiate complaints against a post-secondary institution offering programs in the state of Louisiana when all other forums at the institutional level have been exhausted. 

Link to policy: BoR Student Complaint Policy Ref# § 600.9 State authorization 

10.7 SACSCOC

Louisiana Delta Community College’s Determination of Credit Hours for Courses Policy:

1) defines a credit hour for all credit bearing college courses

2) provides direction for determining credit hours for credit bearing college courses

3) ensures credit hours are properly applied and assigned to courses which conform to

     commonly accepted practices in higher education

Academic Courses not subject to Clock to Credit Hour Conversion (Associate’s Degree programs)

In setting its annual calendar beginning and ending school dates, Louisiana Delta Community College sets a minimum of 750 minutes of seat time for one semester hour of academic course credit in traditional face-to-face courses for coursework not subject to the Clock to Credit Hour Conversion Formula.  In accordance with federal regulations, a credit hour is defined as not less than one collegiate hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction per week over a fifteen week semester and a minimum of two hours out of class student work weekly (homework assignments, research, test preparation, etc.) for fifteen weeks for one semester.  In addition to seat time requirements, academic courses not subject to the Clock to Credit Hour Conversion require a minimum of two hours of unsupervised work completed by the student outside of scheduled class time per week for every one semester hour of credit for that course.  A course offered in fewer than 15 instructional weeks shall contain the same total hours (contact hours, preparation time, content, and requirements) as the same course offered in the standard 15-week semester. 

Louisiana Delta Community College recognizes that college-level learning may be acquired in a variety of settings and can be documented objectively and comprehensively through written or performance examinations and other academically sound procedures. With the growth of distance education; the introduction of technology in delivering instruction; and the increase in the number of special topic courses and independent study courses, the nature of contact hours has changed and requires greater flexibility.  All courses not subject to the Clock to Credit Hour Conversion must be of reasonable length and include both content and contact sufficient to maintain high academic quality and standards commensurate with the credit hours awarded. The basis for such certification of learning is a valid, credible assessment system which reliably determines whether a student possesses clearly identified, standards-based knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

For the purpose of awarding credit hours for distance education courses, hybrid, studio, clinical, directed study, and lab course formats, all LDCC courses not subject to the Clock to Credit Hour Conversion shall engage students for a minimum of three hours per week (homework assignments, research, test preparation, class meeting, clinical experience, etc.) not less than 2250 minutes per credit hour per week for every one semester hour of credit.  Because it is difficult to measure engaged time for courses offered in hybrid or online formats, course content and learning outcomes should be matched to those established in face-to-face sections of the same courses. 

Academic Programs subject to Clock to Credit Hour Conversion (Technical Diploma Programs/Certificates)

For courses in programs that are subject to the Clock to Credit Hour Conversion Formula (programs that do not lead to an Associate’s degree), LDCC follows the Federal Department of Education Guidelines regarding Gainful Employment (GE) Program student contact hours.  Credit hours for courses meeting the GE criteria will be determined based upon 37.5 contact hours per one credit hour if no unsupervised outside-of-class work is included in the course.  If the course does require substantial outside-of-class work to be completed at a ratio of 7.5 hours per one credit hour then the credit awarded for that course will be based upon 30 contact hours per one credit hour.  Documentation of unsupervised outside-of-class work must be contained within the syllabus for that course along with an appropriate list of assignments to demonstrate compliance with Federal Department of Education Guidelines regarding Title IV funding.    

For the purpose of awarding credit hours for distance education courses and other alternative formats (hybrid, studio, clinical, directed study, and labs) which are applicable to GE programs and subject to the Clock to Credit Hour Conversion shall engage students for a minimum of 37.5 hours per credit hour.  Because it is difficult to measure engaged time for courses offered in hybrid or online formats, course content and learning outcomes should be matched to those established in face-to-face sections of the same courses. 

Note: Programs governed by separate accreditation bodies or state boards (i.e. LSBNE) must adhere to special guidelines stipulating program length or contact hours in a particular course.  For these programs, the aforementioned policy regarding the clock to credit conversion will serve as the minimum.  These programs may have student engagement time in excess of 37.5 hours per credit.

Students will be purged from all classes in a semester or term if their financial account is not in good standing and/or if they are reported as not attending in every registered class within the census period; 14 class days for full semester courses, and 7 days for the summer term. The census period for parts of term within a semester or term will be set by the Registrar’s Office.

To explicitly define a student’s financial account to be in good standing and prevent removal of classes, a student must meet one of the following conditions:

• The student has paid all tuition and fees for all classes in which the student is registered in the entire semester using cash, check, credit card, or debit card and the amount is posted in the system of record to reflect the student does not owe any amount of money to the college.
• The student has applied and is granted financial aid to include all grants, scholarships, waivers, outside resources, and loans that cover the entire amount owed to the college for all classes the student is registered for the entire semester and the amount has been applied in the system of record in the student’s account.
• The student has applied and is granted scholarship money.  The responsible issuer of the money has completed all proper processes and has officially and properly notified Louisiana Delta Community College of the money to be applied toward the student’s account, and the amount has been properly posted to the student’s account in the system of record by the responsible party.

If a student has not completed all applicable requirements to have financial aid applied to their account, they must provide acceptable monies to cover the entire bill or utilize the payment plan to stay in classes.  This includes students who have not completed all financial aid requirements, but think they will be granted financial aid, and students applying for a Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal. The Director of Financial Aid and Financial Aid Advisors have the authority to review a student’s account and place a Financial Aid Purge Protection (FP) on the student’s record to hold the student’s classes as necessary. If the student is unable to secure funding or utilize the payment plan in order to stay in classes; the student will be required to cover their financial responsibilities, and if they are awarded monies from financial aid after the purge, the student will be reimbursed the amount they are eligible to receive.

Non-attendance status is defined as a student whose attendance is reported as not attended/not participated in all classes (to include online courses) within the first 14 class days (7 days for the summer term).

Procedure

The Registrar will pull reports that will provide the information for each purge.

There are three set purges directly following set payment deadlines, which are published on the college’s calendar.

1. FIRST PURGE – This purge is usually set the Thursday prior to the start of the first class for the full term, which is the first tuition deadline. The purpose of this purge is to identify classes for low-enrollment cancellation thus allowing the college to secure classes based upon paying students.
2. SECOND PURGE – This purge is set one day after add/drop date (on the fifth “in-class” day of the full term) and is the final tuition payment deadline.  The purpose of the second purge is to set and maintain proper student rosters for classes prior to 14^th day data freeze.  No late enrollments will be authorized without exceptional extenuating circumstances.
3. FINAL PURGE - Once census rosters have been submitted to the Registrar’s Office, students who have never attended or participated in all registered courses (to include online courses) will be identified and dropped. This ensures the College reports the student as non-attending and federal financial aid will not be disbursed. The disbursement of federal financial aid funds creates an institutional responsibility to collect unauthorized funds from the student. 

Students who fall into any of the three categories listed above during the specified time-periods will be removed from their courses as if they never attended, and all related tuition and fees are removed.

Prior to each purge, a committee consisting of representatives from the Registrar’s office, Academic Affairs, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid and Finance will determine the purge threshold after scrutinizing the total balance due for all registered students.

Effected students will be notified by the Registrar’s office before and after each purge. In addition, students who fall into any of the categories listed above during the specified time-periods receive timely notices from the Registrar’s office regarding the status of their balance due and/or attendance.

Purge Protection

In order to prevent a student’s classes from being purged, the following purge protections can be placed on the account:

• Bursar Purge Protection (BP) – Bursar’s/Accounting Office
• Enrollment Services Purge Protection (EP) – Office of Enrollment Services
• Financial Aid Purge Protection (FP) – Office of Financial Aid
• Registrar Purge Protection (RP) – Registrar’s Office

Under the discretion of the offices listed above, a purge protection may be placed on a student’s account when it has been clearly identified and determined that a student will be eligible to receive enough financial aid, including Scholarships, VA Benefits, and Third Party Payments (WIOA, PHOCAS, etc..) to cover the student’s entire account balance or enough funding that will prevent the student from being purged.

Below are the allowable reasons for LDCC staff to place a Purge Protection on a student’s account:

Bursar Purge Protection (BP)

• Third party payment verification has been received.

Payment Plan Purge Protection (PP)

• Automatically placed on accounts once student enrolls in a payment plan with BankMobile.

Special Circumstances - Bursar

In the event that a special circumstance occurs and a student does not meet the allowable reason for a purge protection, a purge protection should not be placed on a student’s account without approval from the CFO. Approvals for a Special Circumstance purge protection will be provided by an email.

Enrollment Services Purge Protection (EP)

• Student is a dual enrollment student. At the start of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer), a purge protection hold is applied to allow for accounting to apply their dual enrollment waiver and bill the student’s school district.
• Student is enrolled in a Workforce or “Special program” (i.e. Mortgage Document Program) where payment is secured (i.e. State funded) but will be delayed.

Financial Aid Purge Protection (FP)

• Student has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has submitted all required documents to the Office of Financial Aid in order to process the student’s financial aid.
• Student has accepted Federal Direct Student Loans or Alternative Loans and the loan(s) have not authorized to the student’s account.
• Students enrolled in the “Student Offender Program” that have been determined eligible for Federal Pell Grant and require a waiver to be applied to the student’s account.
• Student’s Federal Financial Aid has been authorized, but is not enough to cover the student’s entire balance and the student is eligible and awaiting for TOPS to post to his/her account.

Special Circumstances – Enrollment Services and Financial Aid

In the event that a special circumstance occurs and a student does not meet the allowable reason for a purge protection, a purge protection should not be placed on a student’s account without approval from the Executive Director of Enrollment Management, the Director of Financial Aid, or a Campus Director. Approvals for a Special Circumstance purge protection will be provided by an email.

Registrar Purge Protection (EP)

• Student is eligible to receive VA Benefits.

Purge Expiration Date

No LDCC staff can place an end-of-time purge protection (XX-DEC-2099) on any student’s account for any reason; any purge protection placed on a student’s account should not exceed the census date for that term. Payment Plan Purge Protections will not exceed the final payment plan date for the semester.

Students in Financial Good Standing

To explicitly define a student’s financial account to be in good standing and prevent removal of classes, a student must meet one of the following conditions:

• The student has paid all tuition and fees for all classes in which the student is registered in the entire semester using cash, check, credit card, or debit card and the amount is posted in the system of record to reflect the student does not owe any amount of money to the college.
• The student has applied and is granted financial aid to include all grants, scholarships, waivers, outside resources, and loans that cover the entire amount owed to the college for all classes the student is registered for the entire semester and the amount has been applied in the system of record in the student’s account.
• The student has applied and is granted scholarship money. The responsible issuer of the money has completed all proper processes and has officially and properly notified Louisiana Delta Community College of the money to be applied toward the student’s account, and the amount has been properly posted to the student’s account in the system of record by the responsible party.

Attendance After Purge

A student is strictly not allowed to attend a class without being registered for the class.  If a student is identified as not being on the roster, the instructor will direct the student to immediately go to the Knight Center or Student Services to identify why the student is not listed on the roster.  The student is not allowed to attend the class until the situation is resolved.

Student Appeal of Purge

If a student is inadvertently purged and can prove their finances were in place appropriately prior to the final purge, they can fill out an add/drop slip (found on the college’s website) and contact their appropriate division chair for reregistration.  All add/drop slips after the final purge will require a signature from each instructor and the appropriate division chair.  The form will be turned in to the Registrar for policy compliance review/approval and registration. 

If the division chair and/or the Registrar, based on policy enforcement, denies the add/drop request, the student can appeal to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for review of the evidence.  The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, in collaboration with the Chief Finance Officer, has the authority to make exceptions based on extenuating circumstances that are out of the control of the student.  These appeals will require evidence that exceeds normal circumstances and is considered to be exceptional, not common. (See Tuition and Fee Refund Policy FN_107)

A student auditing a class must meet all College admission requirements. Students who audit courses are assessed the same tuition and fees as those assessed for credit courses, and audited course-hours are included in a student’s course load.

Students in audited courses must abide by the College Academic Calendar guidelines and are subject to the same add/drop, tuition refund, and withdraw deadlines. Audited courses do not count as a course attempt and cannot be converted to credit hours after a student has attended a class or completed a course. Auditing students can participate in class activities; but they are not required to take examinations. Students auditing courses are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Procedure

The student must access the Audit Request Form from the LDCC website and submit the completed request to the Registrar’s Office before the end of the Add/Drop period for the given semester/term.