University Regulations

General Educational Goals of the Undergraduate Program 

The General Degree Requirements established at the founding of UNO and most recently modified by a 2010 mandate of the Board of Regents further thesegoals by providing a common general education for all who completean Undergraduate Program of Study. All students completing a baccalaureate degree attain appropriate competencies, as follows:

General Regulations

Registration

No one may register in any semester, summer session, or intersession after the official registration period indicated in the University calendar. The University does not guarantee that during a given semester a student will be able to schedule every class which he or she might be required to take or wish to enroll. No student will be permitted to remain in class unless the instructor has received from the University Registrar evidence of proper registration.

Changing Majors

Students will not be allowed to change their Program of Study/Major for the current term. The current term begins on the first day of classes. Students may change their Program of Study/Major at any time; however, after the term has begun (the first day of classes), the change of Program of Study/Major will be made effective for the next available term.

Cross-Enrollment Agreements between UNO and Southern University in New Orleans, Delgado Community College, and Elaine P. Nunez Community College

Through separate formal agreements between UNO and Southern University in New Orleans and Delgado and Elaine P. Nunez Community Colleges, UNO students may register for a limited number of classes at each of these institutions when they register at UNO. Students should contact the Office of their College Dean or the University Registrar for information regarding the procedures to be followed in this process.

Concurrent Registration

A student registered at UNO may not automatically receive degree credit at UNO for any work taken concurrently at another college or university or by correspondence study. Any work taken concurrently at another college or university would be subject to UNO's transfer articulation policies and evaluation criteria.

Contact Information

Students are responsible for accurately maintaining their demographic contact information via the University's web portal – WebStar. The University considers each student's school/UNO email address as the official, formal contact point for each student. All official university correspondence will be sent to this address. Students should further maintain their physical addresses via WebStar as there are periodic occasions when students will be contacted via USPS. The University will consider all correspondence mailed to a student at their email or physical address currently on file to have been received unless it is returned to the sender.

Credits and Semester Hours

The value of each course of instruction and the amount of work required for graduation are stated in terms of semester hours. A semester hour of credit represents one hour of class work, or two or more hours of laboratory or recitation work per week for a semester (more per week during the shorter summer sessions).

Enrollment Classification Full-time Students

For undergraduate students:

• Fall and Spring - enrolled for twelve or more hours in total; special permission required to enroll in more than 19 hours
• Intersession – three hours maximum credit allowed (Intersession is not Financial Aid eligible)
• Summer – enrolled in six or more hours in total; special permission required to enroll in more than 12 hours

For graduate students:

• Fall and Spring – enrolled for nine or more hours in total
• Intercession – not available for graduate students
• Summer – enrolled in six or more hours in total

A candidate for graduation may request to be classified as a full-time student in the semester or summer session during which he or she is scheduled to complete the requirements for a degree, even though the number of hours scheduled is less than that ordinarily required for classification as a full-time student. A student thus classified full-time is required to pay the fees appropriate to the full-time classification.

Part-time Students 

Students who do not qualify as full-time students as defined in the section above are part-time students. A part-time student is subject to all University rules concerning registration, attendance, scholarship, and conduct. Students are considered half-time if they are enrolled for at least 6 credit hours but no more than 11 credit hours. Please check with the Office of Enrollment Services to determine the impact of part-time status on Financial Aid awards.

Auditors

Regularly enrolled students at UNO may be admitted to classes as auditors by obtaining written permission from the Chair of the department in which the course is taught and the Dean of the college in which they are enrolled. Others must obtain official admission to the University in addition to obtaining permission, as indicated. The fee for auditing a course is the same as for enrolling for credit. Auditing fees are not refundable.

Auditors will not receive university credit and will not be permitted to take an advanced standing examination on audited work. Upon certification by the faculty member in charge of the course that the student did not actually attend, notation that the student audited the course will be stricken from the record without right to a refund of fees.

Students may not change from audit to credit after the last day to add a course. With permission of their Dean, they may change from credit to audit within the first 15 class days of the semester (7 class days in the summer).

Schedule Changes 

Adding Courses for Credit 

Courses may be "added" for credit only during Registration or Late Registration for a given term. Students are required to monitor the official University Calendar – traditionally found in the Office of the University Registrar (http://registrar.uno.edu) – regarding scheduling dates and their particular access to registration via their WebStar portal. Students should be aware there are differing dates and associated fees for registration actions (adding vs. dropping vs. auditing courses). Please consult The Bulletin for charges associated with dropping and adding courses.

Dropping Courses

Courses may be "dropped" during Registration or Late Registration for a given term. Students are required to monitor the official University Calendar – traditionally found in the Office of the University Registrar (http://registrar.uno.edu) – regarding scheduling dates and their particular access to registration via their WebStar portal. Students should be aware there are differing dates and associated fees for registration actions (adding vs. dropping vs. auditing courses). Please consult The Bulletin for charges associated with dropping and adding courses.

Students will not be allowed to drop a course after the published "last date to drop a course". Students who fail to drop courses by the published final date for such action will be retained on the class rolls even though they may be absent for the remainder of the semester.

A student may be dropped, at the discretion of the Dean of the College, from any course for which the student is ineligible.

Failure to attend class does not constitute a course drop. Withdrawn courses reduce a student's enrolled hours, but not the student's financial obligation (see section on Withdrawal from the University).

Changing Sections

Section changes, if permitted, are subject to the same time limitations as the adding or dropping of courses. A section changes requires dropping and adding a course and therefore fall under the same fee structure. Please consult The Bulletin for charges associated with dropping and adding courses.

Attendance Regulations

Students are expected to attend all classes regularly and punctually. Students in regular classes who are not present when attendance is checked are considered absent. Students in on-line classes are expected to participate in all work assigned by the instructor including submission of homework, assignments, quizzes, discussion board postings, and other assigned work. Students in on-line classes who do not participate in accordance with the requirements of the course are considered absent.

University Closures

If the University must close due to unexpected circumstances, faculty and students may have to make up missed class and laboratory time. In some circumstances resulting in closure of the University, the Provost will determine how classes will be made up. In other circumstances, the methods for making up missed classes and laboratories will be with extra assignments and readings, additional days of class or laboratory, additional class time, or in other manners to be determined.

The Right of Student Appeal

When extraordinary circumstances compel a student to request an exception to University Policy or Regulations, the student must petition the Committee for Student Appeals, a standing committee of the Office of Academic Affairs, for exception.

Requests for exceptions must be made within three calendar years following the end of the semester that is being appealed.

Students may not petition for exceptions after graduating.

All committee procedures are confidential, respecting the privacy of the student.

Committee decisions are final.

The procedure for appeal can be found on the Appeal Form found on the Registrar's Website at http://registrar.uno.edu.

Withdrawal from the University

Students are responsible for initiating action to resign from the University (withdraw from all courses) on or before the last day to resign as indicated in the current Bulletin. After that date a student may not resign from the University. Students who fail to resign by the published final date for such action will be retained on the class rolls even though they may be absent for the remainder of the semester and be graded as if they were in attendance.

Failure to attend classes does not constitute a resignation. Resignation eliminates a student's enrolled hours, but not the student's financial obligations.

Caution: Withdrawing from courses may have an adverse effect on financial aid, scholarships, loan deferments, athletic eligibility, health insurance, veteran's benefits, degree requirements, or other areas. Students considering course drops or resignation should first check with their advisor, College, and Enrollment Services to determine if this is really their best option.

Final Examinations

Final examinations are required and shall be held at the end of each semester/term or summer session in accordance with the schedule issued by the Office of Academic Affairs. When final examinations are inappropriate because of the nature of the course, exceptions to this requirement may be made upon approval of the appropriate Dean and the Office of Academic Affairs.

Grade Reports

The University reports grades at mid-semester and at the end of each semester for all students. Only the grades reported at the end of the semester (final grades) are used in the computation of the student's grade-point averages. Mid-semester grades are simply an indication of the student's progress and are not calculated in the summer session.

The University does not mail final grade reports. Students may access their grades through WebStar.

Grade Appeal Policy

The course final grade appeal policy provides the student with a safeguard against receiving an unfair final grade in a course, while at the same time respecting the academic freedom of the instructor which is vital to the integrity of the teaching process at The University of New Orleans. The course final-grade appeal process strives to resolve a dispute between student and instructor in the assignment of a course final grade at the collegial level. The intent is never to embarrass or disgrace students or instructors, nor to assess penalty or retribution on any party when mistakes are discovered, but instead to provide a neutral forum for the discussion of differences of opinion. Every student has the right to have a request for consideration of his or her final grade reviewed by the Chair of the department and a departmental Grade Appeal Committee. The course final-grade appeal is confined to charges of unfair action against an individual student and may not involve a challenge of an instructor's class grading standard. It is incumbent on the student to substantiate the claim that his/her final grade in the course represents unfair treatment, compared to the standard applied to the remainder of the class. Only the final grade in a course may be appealed.

Credit for Repeated Courses

When a student is permitted to repeat a course for credit, the last grade earned shall be the one which determines course acceptability for degree credit. A student who has earned a C or better in a course may not repeat that course unless 1) the catalog description indicates that the course may be repeated for credit, or 2) the student's Dean gives prior approval for documented extenuating circumstances.

Transcript of Record

The official permanent academic records for all UNO students are in the custody of the Office of the Registrar. Release of these records is protected by the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.'' Transcripts of the academic record may be secured by the individual personally or will be released on the student's written authorization. Transcripts cannot be issued until the student or former student has settled all financial obligations to the University and has submitted all required transcripts from other colleges attended. A minimal fee will be charged for each copy of the transcript. Transcript processing requires a minimum of three working days. Official transcripts can only be released to a third party.

Eligibility to Represent the University

No student will be permitted to represent the University unless he or she is classified as a full-time student. Students may participate as members, substitutes, or officers so long as they are enrolled for at least six semester hours unless otherwise indicated by a particular unit or organization. Organizations may include dramatic, literary, musical or other types including Student Government.

The Student Identification Card

The University Computing Center issues to each student a permanent identification card, including a photograph, and a student number. This card will be used for the entire duration of the student's enrollment at the University. The card is required for borrowing library books, cashing personal checks, admission to athletic and social events, selling used textbooks, Testing Services, meal plans, and other official purposes. Fraudulent use of the ID card will result in disciplinary action. The card is issued to the individual student and must not be loaned to another person for any reason. Any University official having just cause has the right to request that a student show the identification card for identification purposes. Upon such a request by a University official, the student is required to comply.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The University of New Orleans complies with all guidelines as established in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380). This Act was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal or formal hearings. Students have the right to file complaints with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the Act.

University policy explains in detail the procedures to be used by the institution for compliance with the provisions of the Act. Copies of the policy can be found in the following offices: Admissions, President's Office, Academic Affairs, Office of Business Affairs, Student Affairs, Student Personnel Records, each college/school/division/dean's office, each academic department office, and on the web at http://academicaffairs.uno.edu/.

Questions concerning the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may be referred to the University Registrar.

University Discipline

The University of New Orleans expects of its students a high degree of honor in all phases of college life. It is the responsibility of all students to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations governing student conduct as published whether in print or on the web, in the UNO Student Handbook and other official publications.

The authority structure for administrating the judicial code is the President, through the Vice President for Student Affairs to the Dean of Students. Please refer to the section on Judicial and Student Assistance in this catalog and to the UNO Student Handbook for more details.

Statute of Limitations

In the absence of any designated time limits in documents on policies or procedures, the University imposes a time limit of three years for the initiation of any request for an exception to its rules or regulations.

GENERAL UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

Classification

Classification of undergraduate students is made in the Office of the Registrar based on the number of credits earned, and is revised, as may be necessary.

The rules governing the classification of undergraduate students are:

a. Freshmen: Students having fewer than 30 hours of credit (0 – 29.99).
b. Sophomores: Students having at least 30 hours of credit (30 – 59.99).
c. Juniors: Students having at least 60 semester hours of credit (60 – 89.99).
d. Seniors: Students having at least 90 semester hours (90+).

Maximum and Minimum Work

The normal freshman schedule in a regular semester should range between 12 and 15 hours. Short sessions, including Summer and Intercession, are on compressed timeframes and students should be aware there is an advanced pace to courses offered in a compressed format. Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor to determine a course load that best meets their academic preparation. Students with an at-risk Cumulative GPA may be advised to limit their academic load to fewer than 15 hours. Students on Academic Probation are limited to 13 semester hours in a regular semester and seven hours in a summer session.

Students may register for more than 19 semester hours of work only with permission of their Dean and provided they have maintained an overall 3.0 (B) Cumulative GPA and have not fallen below a grade of C in any subject during the preceding semester; but in no case will any student be permitted to register for more than 21 semester hours of degree credit. Students who register for fewer than 12 semester hours or drop below 12 semester hours of work (six in the summer session) will not be considered full-time.

In the Summer session, six semester hours is the minimum full-time load, and the maximum load permitted is 12 semester hours. 

General Degree Requirements 

To become eligible for a baccalaureate degree from UNO, a student must fulfill the following General Education Goals mandated by the Board of Regents:

1. Complete the following courses: 
           a. English Composition- Six hours. English 1157 and 1158/1159 or their equivalent. Completion of 1158 or 1159 with a grade of C or better.
           b. Mathematics - six hours at or above the 1000 level. 
          c. Science - 9 hours, including a six hour sequence in one science and an additional three hour course in another.  One of the sciences must be Biological Sciences and the other one must be Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Physics.
           d. Humanities- nine hours to include:
                    i. three hours  in Literature.
                    ii. six additional hours to be taken from the Departments of Film and Theater; English; Foreign Languages; History; Philosophy; Women’s and Gender Studies.
           e. Social Sciences - six hours from Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and/or Urban Studies. 
           f. Arts – three hours to be taken from the departments of Fine Arts, Music, or theatre/dance/film-related courses in Film and Theater.

2. Earn a minimum of 120 hours including at least 25 percent of the credit hours for the degree through instruction offered by the university and

3. Achieve a quality point ratio of 2.0 or better in:

• all work attempted (the Cumulative Grade Point Average or CGPA),
• all work taken at UNO (the UNO CGPA or UGPA), and,
• the major subject (the Degree Grade Point Average or DGPA).

Since each curriculum has requirements in addition to those listed above, students should consult the appropriate section of this Catalog to determine such additional requirements and restrictions as may apply to the particular degree program.

4. Writing, linguistics, and grammar studies are not considered literature.
5. Transfer courses in religious studies may be used to fulfill literature requirement(s).
6. Other subjects under the Social Sciences in Area of Concentration may not count for this General Degree Requirement.
7. Transfer courses in architecture, dance, interior design or landscape architecture may be used to meet the Social Sciences requirement.
8. No more than one-half the semester hours required for the completion of a degree program may be transferred from a junior college.

Substitutions and Waivers of Degree Requirements

A substitution is defined as a course that is outside of the prescribed curricula that is used to substitute for a course that is within the prescribed curricula. At The University of New Orleans, no more than five (5) courses may be substituted in a prescribed curricula.

A waiver is defined as an exception to a required degree component. Each curricula will be different with some curricula requiring external benchmarks such as meeting a minimum score on a required test and other curricula requiring a course or series of courses to satisfy a particular degree component and even other curricula requiring additional components. Students are encouraged to discuss any deviation of prescribed coursework with their advisor. Waivers of degree requirements must be approved by both the Dean of the College as well as the Office of Academic Affairs.

Requirements for All First-Time Full-Time Freshman

All first-time freshmen will be required to successfully complete UNIV 1001 with at least a grade of C during their first year of enrollment.

All students having earned less than 30 credit hours are required to be advised by their Academic Advisor in the Privateer Enrollment Center.

Graduation Requirements 

A student must meet all the requirements for a degree in one Catalog. A student is assigned their Catalog (by year) corresponding to their initial enrollment to the University. A student who breaks enrollment (either voluntary or by compulsion) is assigned a new Catalog (by year) upon re-enrollment to the University. A student may elect to change their Program of Study/Major at any time during their academic tenure; the Catalog (by year) in force at the time of the Change of Program/Major will be the Catalog (by year) used to evaluate the student for satisfactory academic progress toward degree and/or graduation requirements.

There are several requirements which must be completed by all students prior to graduation.

The student must:

1. complete all academic requirements for a degree based on their Catalog. This includes both the general degree requirements and the particular Program of Study in which the student is enrolled.
2. ascertain, through the college of the major, that his or her academic record is accurate and complete. This should be done not later than one semester prior to graduation.
3. submit an application to the Registrar's Office for the degree during the registration period of the last semester in residence. The student will be required to make this formal application and state the exact name to appear on the diploma.
4. pay the diploma fee. A student who has previously paid a diploma fee, but who failed to graduate at the time expected, must re-apply and pay the diploma fee again.
5. satisfy all financial indebtedness to the University cleared prior to graduation.
6. complete an exit interview for financial aid, if applicable.

A student who does not follow and complete the above requirements and procedures will not be allowed to graduate.

Requirements for a Double Major in a Single Degree Designation

Students who wish to earn two majors simultaneously in the same college at UNO may do so, provided they:

1. complete all requirements for each major,
2. meet all quality point average and grade requirements applicable to each major,
3. complete requirements for both majors before receiving the baccalaureate degree,
4. meet the residency requirement for each major (typically, the last 30 earned credit hours must be taken at UNO – students should check with their College for specific requirements), and,
5. cannot declare a minor in one of the major curriculum areas.

(Any student who receives a baccalaureate degree after completing the requirements for only one major must comply with the guidelines for a second baccalaureate degree.) Students wishing to double major in subjects in different colleges may do so provided both majors lead to the same degree designation (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.). In these cases, however, students should check with each college to decide whether they would be best to pursue the dual major or the dual degree.

Students earning two degrees simultaneously at UNO

Students who wish to earn two baccalaureates at UNO simultaneously may do so, provided the majors have different degree designations (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) and they:

1. complete all requirements for both degrees,
2. meet all quality point average and grade requirements applicable to both degrees,
3. develop degree plans with both colleges if the two degrees being sought are in different colleges,
4. meet the residency requirement for each degree major (typically, the last 30 earned credit hours must be taken at UNO – students should check with their College for specific requirements), and,
5. cannot declare a minor in the area in which the other baccalaureate is being earned.

(Any student who receives a baccalaureate degree after completing the requirements for only one major must comply with the guidelines for a second baccalaureate degree.)

Requirements for Second or Subsequent Baccalaureate Degrees

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from The University of New Orleans or from a regionally accredited institution other than UNO may earn a second baccalaureate degree by completing thirty semester hours at UNO that are in addition to the requirements for the first degree, and by meeting all other requirements for the second degree.

Residency Requirements

For all UNO students, the last 25 percent (typically, 30 hours) of all coursework must be taken in residence while enrolled in the College from which the degree is to be earned. A transfer student or a student who enters with advanced standing from another university and becomes a candidate for a bachelor's degree at UNO must fulfill a minimum residence requirement of two semesters (or four summer sessions) at UNO and must earn at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by the University.

Areas of Concentration 

The University recognizes four general areas of concentration. These areas, with the specific subjects falling under each one are:

 

The above areas of concentration are referred to in specific curricula listed elsewhere in this catalog. Arts & Sciences (A&S) courses may count toward humanities or social sciences general degree requirements for graduation credit.

Degrees with Honors

Baccalaureate degrees are awarded with honors on the basis of two criteria, the curriculum undertaken and grade-point average.

University Honors

This distinction is earned by students who are admitted to and complete the requirements of the University Honors Program. Through special sections of regular courses, specially organized interdisciplinary courses, and independent study and research, members of the Honors Program acquire an undergraduate education that testifies to their superior academic ability and the extensive educational resources of UNO.

To graduate with University Honors, students in the Honors Program must: earn 30 semester hours of honors credit; concurrently enroll in and complete Arts and Sciences 1119 and either English 1159 or English 2151; complete a Senior Honors Thesis; and attain a 3.25 grade-point average in all coursework attempted and a 3.5 grade-point average in all courses in the major. Students who wish to participate in the Honors Program should contact the Director of the University Honors Program.

Departmental Honors

Some subject areas offer programs which lead to the bachelor's degree with honors in the particular subject. Requirements include a 3.25 grade-point average in all coursework attempted and a 3.5 grade-point average in all courses in the major; completion of specified courses in the major; and completion of a Senior Honors Thesis. Details for each major are discussed in the Major Programs section of the Catalog. Students wishing to earn departmental honors should contact the Director of the University Honors Program.

Honors Degrees

The baccalaureate degree is awarded with honors to students who earn a minimum of 60 credit hours at UNO and who maintain a high grade point average. To be eligible for academic honors students must have a grade point average, including course grades eliminated through suspended grades and grades deleted by academic renewal, that fall within the ranges show below - both for courses taken at UNO and for all courses.

Honor	Grade Point Average
Summa Cum Laude	3.90 to 4.00
Magna Cum Laude	3.700  to 3.899
Cum Laude	3.500 to 3.699

Graduation with honors applies to all undergraduate degrees within the limitations set by the policy.

College Honors/Dean's List

College honors are awarded each semester with the publication of the Dean's List for each division, college, or school. To be included on the Dean's List, a student must have earned at least a 3.5 grade-point average for that semester (Term GPA) while attempting a full-time, in-residence schedule.

University Honors/President's List

University honors are awarded each semester with the publication of the President's List. To be included on the President's List, a student must have earned a 4.0 grade-point average for that semester (Term GPA) while attempting a full-time, in-residence schedule.

Advanced Standing Examinations

Students of superior ability and preparation and students who have already gained fundamental knowledge of subjects offered at the University may be permitted to take Advanced Standing Examinations in specific courses which, if passed with satisfactory grades, will enable the student to receive degree credit. Advanced Standing Examinations are also referred to as credit examinations.

Requests for permission to utilize such examinations are initiated in the office of the dean of the college, school, or division in which the student is enrolled, and permission may be given subject to the following conditions:

1. Credit by Advanced Standing Examinations cannot be used to reduce the University's minimum residence requirement.
2. The student must have been admitted to the University and must be in good standing. If the examinations are taken while the student is not enrolled in the University, credit will be granted when he or she is registered for resident study.
3. In requesting authorization to take an Advanced Standing Examination, the student must obtain permission from the Chair of the Department offering the course and the Dean of the College in which the course is taught.
4. A student may not take an Advanced Standing Examination in a course which he or she has audited, nor in which a grade has been earned. A student may take an Advanced Standing Examination in a given course only once.

The administration of the examinations is also subject to the following regulations:

1. The examination must ordinarily be taken and the grade submitted within 30 days of the date of initiation of the request.
2. If a grade of C or higher is earned on the examination, a mark of P and regular credit in the course is entered on the student's record. If a grade lower than C is earned, only the fact that the examination has been attempted will be recorded; credit will not be allowed. Credit earned through Advanced Standing Examinations will not be used in computing the student's grade point average.
3. Advanced Standing Examinations are given free of charge to the student planning to enroll at UNO as a freshman, and until the final date for dropping courses without receiving grades of the first regular semester in which he or she is enrolled either part-time or full-time as a first-year student. All other students must pay a fee of $20 per course.

A special invitation only program is conducted during the spring of each year in which prospective freshmen who meet certain minimum ACT score qualifications come to the campus and take Advanced Standing Examinations in one or more subjects. There is no fee for these exams, and credits earned will be entered on the student's record after official enrollment at UNO.

CEEB Advanced Placement Examinations

Advanced placement and credit will be granted in appropriate subjects to students who have taken the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board. When the student has achieved a grade of four or five on the advanced placement examination, credit will be granted; when the grade is three, the decision regarding credit will be referred to the judgment of the individual department.

Questions concerning the recording of these grades should be directed to the Office of Admissions.

Other Advanced Credit

Advanced credit may be awarded for certain subject examinations completed through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and for non-collegiate courses recommended for credit by the National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-Collegiate Courses. Credit so earned may or may not be applicable to the student's degree program; final determination will be made by the student's Dean. Prospective students desiring detailed information on these programs are advised to write to the Office of Admissions requesting a brochure on advanced placement and credit.

Advanced Placement Credit for Courses Bypassed New Freshmen

In some departments, initial placement in sequential courses is based upon level of achievement from earlier training, as measured by scores on American College Testing program or departmental tests. Students who first entered the University after June 1967, and secured placement in this way above the normal beginning level, may petition for credit in the courses bypassed. No credit is allowed for remedial courses bypassed.

Other UNO Students

In some departments, students who perform exceptionally well in a sequential course at a given level may be permitted by the department to enroll in a course in that sequence other than the succeeding course. Students who received advanced placement in this manner after August 1976 may petition for credit in the courses bypassed. No credit is allowed for remedial courses bypassed.

Validation of Advanced Placement

The validity of placement must be established by passing the next course in the sequence with a C or better grade (on the first attempt). Detailed information may be secured at the office of the college or division in which the student is enrolled.

Credit Limitation

Credit from all forms of advanced standing examinations (including those of the College Entrance Examination Board and the College Level Examination Program) and from bypass credit cannot exceed 30 hours. This credit cannot be used to reduce the University's minimum residence requirement.

Credit for Correspondence and Extension Work

Each College fixes the amount of degree credit it will accept in correspondence or extension courses. In no case will a College accept more than 30 hours of work in this category and in all such work presented for degree credit the same requirements as to grades and quality points must be met.

Credit for Armed Services Courses

Many military educational programs are not directly usable in university degree programs because the focus is too narrow and pragmatic. On the other hand, some service schools provide instruction which may be equated with university work.

When the student presents the Office of Admissions with an official record of completion of a course at a service school, a notation will be made on the student's evaluation sheet in accordance with the recommendation of the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services prepared by the American Council on Education. Credit for such courses may or may not be applicable toward the student's degree program; this will be determined by the student's Dean.

Credit for Experiential Learning

The University does not evaluate experiential learning portfolios. However, for non-traditional educational programs, credit may be awarded on the basis of the successful completion of an appropriate advanced standing examination. Discretion for giving such an examination belongs to the individual academic department. In addition, formal education programs sponsored by non-collegiate organizations (business, industry, government, voluntary, and professional agencies) may be awarded credit if recommended by the American Council on Education.

Credit Limitation

Combined credit from advanced standing examinations, bypassed credit, armed services credit, correspondence/extension, and American Council on Education recommended credit work cannot exceed 32 hours.

Undergraduate Grading System 

A ‑The grade of A has a value of four quality points per semester hour and is given for work of the highest degree of excellence.

B ‑The grade of B has a value of three quality points per semester hour and is given for work of a high degree of excellence.

C ‑The grade of C has a value of two quality points per semester hour and is given for satisfactory work.

D ‑The grade of D has a value of one quality point per semester hour and is given for passing but marginal work.

F ‑The grade of F does not earn quality points. This grade is given for work failed.

XF ‑The grade of XF has no quality point value and is calculated in the GPA the same as an F. This grade is earned when a student stops attending a class.

P ‑The grade of P means passing and is assigned for satisfactory work taken by advanced standing examination, for satisfactory completion of certain noncredit courses or courses numbered below 1000, and for satisfactory completion of courses taken on a pass-fail basis. This grade does not carry quality points and is not used in computing the official grade average of a student.

U ‑The grade of U means unsatisfactory and is assigned for unsatisfactory completion of courses numbered below 1000. Credit hours for which a grade of U is recorded are not used in calculating the student's average.

XU ‑ The grade of XU has no quality point value and is calculated in the GPA the same as an F for courses numbered below 1000. This grade is earned when a student stops attending a class.

W ‑The grade of W means withdrawal. This grade is earned when a student drops a course or resigns from the University during the "W grade" period. Credit hours for which a grade of W is recorded are not used in calculating the student's ­Cumulative Grade Point Average.

I ‑The grade of I means incomplete and is given for work which is of passing quality but which, because of circumstances beyond the student's control, is not complete. The issuance of the grade of I is at the discretion of the faculty member teaching the course. For all graduate and undergraduate students, a grade of I becomes a grade of F if it is not converted before the deadline for adding courses for credit (as printed in the Important Dates Calendar) of the next regular semester including summer semester.

Suspension of a Grade 

Under certain conditions, when a course has been repeated, UNO permits a student to request that a grade of D or F in a course be suspended and only the subsequent grade be used in calculating the grade point average. Some of the limitations are:

1. Course to be suspended is numbered below 3000.
2. Course to be suspended has not before been suspended.
3. The total number of hours suspended to date, including the hours to be suspended, does not exceed nine hours.
4. The repetition of the course to be suspended occurred before the student reached junior standing.
5. The student does not complete, prior to repeating the course, two or more higher-numbered courses for which the course is a prerequisite.
6. The student is eligible to enroll at UNO.
7. Both enrollments in the course are at UNO.

The official academic record (transcript) will indicate this suspension and will show in the academic summary a grade-point average calculated on the basis of the total number of hours attempted and a grade-point average calculated on the basis of suspended grades.

Class rankings, graduation honors, and eligibility for UNO academic honors programs are determined on the basis of the grade-point average for all credits attempted including those suspended.

The suspension of credit is an internal policy of The University of New Orleans and may not be recognized by other universities.

Maintenance of Academic Standing

General

Scholastic regulations embody the academic standards of a university. The application of the following regulations is directed toward upholding the standards of this University - specifically, to impose the requirement of satisfactory academic progress. Continuation of students who have demonstrated a lack of the necessary ability, preparation, industry, or maturity to make such progress and to benefit from a program of university study is inconsistent with the purposes and responsibilities of a University.

The academic regulations, beginning with the section entitled Scholastic Requirements, set forth the conditions for good standing, probation, and exclusion. These regulations are intended to be consistent with the following objectives:

1. To indicate to the student, at an early date and with regularity, that achievement below the standards required for graduation is regarded as unsatisfactory.
2. To allow the first-time freshman the opportunity to remain a student until he or she has attempted two enrollments.
3. To give the student who performs poorly a warning which may prompt him or her to seek timely help from instructors, counselors or other appropriate sources.
4. To provide the student whose record shows that ultimate success in the University is in doubt with a trial period to prove that he or she is able to make reasonable academic progress.
5. To prevent the student who lacks the required motivation or maturity from building a deficiency of quality points so great that it cannot later be overcome.
6. To state the standards and the consequent results of inadequate scholastic performance clearly enough that students, parents, faculty, and administrators can know the academic action (if any) which would follow from a particular academic record.

Definitions

Cumulative Average

A student's cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted. (See Undergraduate Grading System in this chapter for the quality points assigned to each final grade.)

Semester/Term Average

A student's Semester/Term grade-point average (TGPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned in the semester by the total number of hours attempted in the semester. (See Undergraduate Grading System in this chapter for the quality points assigned to each final grade.)

Good Standing

It is expected that all undergraduate students should maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 (Cumulative GPA) on all college work attempted and on all work attempted at UNO. The University will, however, certify a student to be in Good Standing as long as that student has a CGPA that does not result in an Academic Suspension or Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal.

Academic Warning

A student is placed on Academic Warning when the earned Semester/Term GPA (TGPA) falls below a 2.0 yet the earned Cumulative GPA (CPGA) remains higher than a 2.0. This academic action serves as a warning to the student their CGPA will be negatively impacted by future Semester/Term GPA's lower than the required CGPA of 2.0.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on Academic Probation when their CGPA falls below a 2.0. A student on Academic Probation will be suspended from the University at the conclusion of any semester (Summer included) in which he or she fails to earn a TGPA of at least a 2.0 (see Academic Suspension below). A student will remain on Academic Probation until an overall cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher is achieved for all college work attempted.

Academic Suspension

Undergraduate students on Academic Probation will be suspended from UNO at the conclusion of any semester (Summer included) in which they fail to earn a TGPA of at least a 2.0. First-time freshmen admitted in Good Standing will not be suspended prior to the completion of two semesters of enrollment.

First Suspension – first Suspension at The University of New Orleans is one full semester (Fall or Spring only).

Second or Subsequent Suspension – second or subsequent Suspensions at The University of New Orleans is categorized as Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal. See description below.

Exceptions

1. A student suspended for the first time at the end of the Spring semester (only) may attend summer school. If the student raises their CGPA to 2.0 or higher, they are placed in Good Standing and their suspension period is lifted. The student may then attend the Fall semester. If the student does not raise their CGPA to 2.0 or higher in the Summer session, the Suspension for the Fall semester is in effect. In this case, only one suspension is counted against the student.
2. A student earning Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal at the end of the Spring semester (only) may also attend summer school. If the student raises their CGPA to 2.0 or higher, they are placed in Good Standing and their suspension period is lifted. The student may then attend the Fall semester. If the student does not raise their CGPA to 2.0 or higher in the Summer session, the Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal for the calendar year is in effect.
3. An undergraduate student suspended from UNO may not enroll in another 4 year university, but may enroll in a community college. To ensure minimal or no loss of credits upon return to UNO, it is recommended the student consult with his/her 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 UNO provided grades of "C" or higher are earned in each of the courses to be transferred.

Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal

Undergraduate students earning a second Academic Suspension at the University of New Orleans are placed on Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal which will be for a period of one calendar year from the date of the last term in which the academic action was accrued. Any student who is not permitted to re-enroll for continuing semesters must apply for re-admission upon completion of the prescribed period of absence. Prior admission decisions will not guarantee re-admission to the University.

Readmission after Academic Suspension or Indefinite Academic Suspension/Dismissal

A student who has been suspended or dismissed from the University will not be permitted to register until the expiration of their academic action (see descriptions above). The student must re-apply for Admission to the University through the Office of Admissions.

SCHOLASTIC AMNESTY/RENEWAL

The purpose of academic renewal is to provide an opportunity for undergraduate students who have not been enrolled in a college or university for three consecutive calendar years to have any academic record earned prior to the three year period disregarded for the purpose of admission or readmission to UNO. While the prior record remains a part of the student's overall academic record, none of it carries forward as part of the degree program. Academic renewal may be offered and awarded only once and is only applicable to students who enroll at UNO.

The following conditions will apply when a student accepts academic renewal:

1. All college enrollments will be listed as part of the student's UNO academic record.
2. No work taken prior to the three year period will be counted in the student's hours earned or grade point average at UNO.
3. All semesters for which academic renewal is accepted will have the notation "Academic Renewal Declared on Credits Attempted."
4. Credits earned prior to the date that academic renewal is accepted will not be counted to satisfy UNO graduation requirements.
5. Grade point averages computed to determine eligibility for degrees with honors, for membership in honorary or professional societies, or for UNO based scholarships will be based on all college work attempted including the work on which the student has declared academic renewal.

The process is as follows:

1. When a student applies who has been out of school for more than three years for admission and has a less than 2.25 grade point average, their application will be referred to the student's major academic college by their admissions counselor.
2. The college office will then contact the student to set up an interview to discuss academic renewal and the implications of accepting or rejecting it.
3. Once the student has made a decision and the Academic Renewal Form has been signed, the college office will notify the admissions counselor of the two parts of the decision.   The renewal decision will be one of the following: accepts renewal, declines renewal, or renewal not offered. The admission decision will be one of the following: admit student, admit student on probation, admit student as an exception, or deny student. Please note that a student recommended for an exception must then be approved by the director of admissions. Also, in cases in which students are admitted without renewal and have below a 2.0, they will be admitted on probation.
4. If the student accepts academic renewal, the admissions counselor will then notify the Offices of the Registrar and Financial Aid. The Coordinator for Records Management in the Office of the Registrar will make any changes on a re-entry student's record after the student has enrolled. The admissions counselor will post the amnesty notations for any transfer students. If the student is receiving financial aid, the Coordinator of Student Loans in the Office of Financial Aid will note the acceptance of renewal in the student's file as all prior work will be used to compute a student's Satisfactory Academic Progress.

All students who have been out of school for more than three years but have above a 2.25 that wish to declare renewal must contact the Office of Admissions for a review. Students have one year from the first semester that they are admitted to request this review. The student will remain subject to the university policies on probation, suspension, and dismissal.

Students who accept academic renewal may still acquire credit by taking and passing advanced standing examinations, placement tests, and credit examinations as long as the student is not within completion of the last 30 hours of the degree requirements.

Students should be aware that academic renewal is an internal UNO policy. Most other schools, including graduate and professional schools, will use all college work attempted in determining whether an applicant is eligible for admission.

ACADEMIC RENEWAL AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY

A student who has enrolled at another regionally accredited institution of higher education under an academic renewal plan (e.g., academic amnesty or bankruptcy) may be considered for academic renewal at UNO provided that:

The academic renewal plan at the previous institution meets all the provisions of the academic renewal plan at UNO;credits earned since the student entered the program at a previous institution will be evaluated in the same manner as credits for other transfer students; and,

the petition for academic renewal is submitted for approval to The Office of Admissions and subsequently to the student's Academic College.