{"id":1547,"date":"2014-06-09T11:14:23","date_gmt":"2014-06-09T16:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/policy-procedure-manual\/?page_id=1547"},"modified":"2022-02-23T20:34:12","modified_gmt":"2022-02-23T20:34:12","slug":"5-7-academic-affairs-programs-and-policies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/policy-procedure-manual\/5-general-university-policies\/5-7-academic-affairs-programs-and-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"5.7. Academic Affairs Programs and Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n5.7.1 The Academic Services Center<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.1.1 Academic Alert<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.1.2 The Department of University Studies<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.1.3 Tutorial Learning and Academic Enhancement Center<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.1.4\u00a0 Retention\/Academic Advising<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.1.5 Center for Dyslexia<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.1.6 Study Programs Abroad<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.2 Graduate Assistantships<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.3 Academic Computing<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.4 Assessment and Institutional Research<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.5 The Center for Women and Government<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.6 University Computer Services<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.6.1 The Telecommunications Center<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.7 Records and Registration<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.8 Research and Sponsored Programs<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.8.1 Faculty Research Support and Faculty Research Council<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.9 Academic Program Development and Changes<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.9.1 Curriculum Development<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.9.2 Modifications to or Creation of Degree Programs<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.10 Faculty Appointment to the Graduate Faculty<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.10.1 Criteria for Appointment as a Member of the Graduate Faculty<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11 Library\u00a0Policies<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.1 Copying<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.1.1 Procedures for Copying<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.1.2 Microform Copies<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.1.3 Staff Assistance<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.2 Courtesy Cards<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.2.1 Criteria<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.2.2 Cost<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.2.3 Regulations<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.3 Fee Collection<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.11.4 Policy Review<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.12 Honorary Degrees<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.12.1 Honorary Degree Committee<\/a><\/p>\n

5.7.12.2 Procedure to be Followed for Nomination and Selection of Candidates<\/a><\/p>\n

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5.7.1 The Academic Services Center<\/h3>\n

The Academic Services Center is the academic and administrative college for all freshmen, transfer, and other students who intend to pursue a degree and have met regular or conditional admission requirements. Students who meet exit requirements of the Academic Services Center may apply for entry into the senior academic colleges.<\/p>\n

The Academic Services Center introduces students to the purpose of the University through comprehensive student development services including curricular offerings and personal development programs that prepare students to enter senior academic colleges or choose alternative post secondary educational experiences or careers.<\/p>\n

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5.7.1.1 Academic Alert<\/h4>\n

After mid\u2013semester examinations, the Academic Services Center students should see their assigned counselor\/advisor for academic advice. Students with unsatisfactory grades have the option of dropping courses.<\/p>\n

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5.7.1.2 The Department of University Studies<\/h4>\n

The Department offers courses emphasizing study skills, orientation, self\u2013awareness, interpersonal relationships, career awareness, and critical thinking. University Studies 101 is a required course for all entering freshmen. For those students who qualify, Leadership Studies 152 and Academic Success substitute for University Studies 101.<\/p>\n

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5.7.1.3 Tutorial Learning and Academic Enhancement Center<\/h4>\n

The Tutorial Learning and Academic Enhancement Center is designed to aid in developing competencies needed to earn a college degree by providing specialized tutoring in developmental and freshman level course offerings. Students are tutored in small groups through peer and computer assisted instruction. Night tutoring sessions are available. Students and faculty should contact the Director at 448\u20134097.<\/p>\n

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5.7.1.4\u00a0 Retention\/Academic Advising<\/h4>\n

The Director of Retention\u00a0and Advisor Training and Assessment\u00a0has general responsibility for improving the quality of academic advising at the University. The Director also offers a Master Advisor certification program that is available to all faculty. Please contact the Director, the Advising Center, or University College for information about the certification program.<\/p>\n

Each student in University College is assigned an academic advisor through the office of the Director of Retention and Advisor Training and Certification. Students are encouraged get the name of their assigned advisors through the ICAN\u00a0online advising system on the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ homepage ( https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu<\/a> ). For general assistance with scheduling, curriculum changes, and other administrative procedures, students may also contact the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Academic Advising Center\u00a0located on the second floor of Elkins Hall.<\/p>\n

The Academic Advising Center (AAC) was created to provide academic advising and support to ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ students from the time of their admission until their acceptance into their majors. Students may arrange for an appointment with an advisor to discuss academic progress or any other problems related to coursework. The AAC is committed to assisting students in taking responsibility for their own intellectual and life skills development. The process of advising is therefore designed to recognize the developmental and situational need for such assistance to students. All students are strongly encouraged to use advisors and the AAC to assist with course selection and academic planning. For more information call 985\u2013448\u20134117.<\/p>\n

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5.7.1.5 Center for Dyslexia<\/h4>\n

The Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders, located in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, has statewide responsibility for establishing programs for the identification, and remediation of dyslexia and other language processing disorders. The Center is a result of 1990 Louisiana Legislative Act 854 that mandates in\u2013service training for teachers. The Director of the Center works with community educators, parents, and students at both undergraduate and graduate levels.<\/p>\n

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5.7.1.6 Study Programs Abroad<\/h4>\n

ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ offers programs of foreign study in which students can travel to foreign countries on an organized tour and receive academic credit at either the undergraduate or graduate level. The ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Europe Program is designed for high school students who have completed their junior year, undergraduates and graduate students who seek to improve their professional competency through advanced study, research and travel abroad. The Department of Foreign Languages also offers study programs at specific study sites in Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Individualized study programs may be organized for students desiring to study in these countries or pre\u2013approved sites in other countries. Programs are offered normally for the month of July, but may be arranged for longer and different time periods. Both graduate and undergraduate credit is available.<\/p>\n

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5.7.2 Graduate Assistantships<\/h3>\n

College deans are responsible for developing a description of the graduate assistantship duties in their particular college. Assistantship awards are available to full\u2013time graduate students. These two\u2013semester awards are full\u2013 or half\u2013time assistantships offering stipends and are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and\/or professional experience. A full assistantship requires twenty (20) hours of work per week and a one\u2013half assistantship requires ten (10) hours of work per week during the fall and spring semesters. Full details regarding graduate assistantships are available in the academic deans’ offices.<\/p>\n

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5.7.3 Academic Computing<\/h3>\n

The Director of Academic Computing reports to the Executive Vice President. The Department of Academic Computing provides computer and instructional technology support to students and faculty. All students have a private electronic mail account and access to the Internet. Computer laboratories located in the University Library, the College of Business Administration, and the College of Nursing are available to all enrolled students. Many departments have dedicated computer classrooms\u00a0or labs for specific majors, art, business administration, computer science, criminal justice, education, English, family and consumer science, legal assistant studies, mass communication, music, nursing, and office information systems are among the areas that have dedicated computer facilities. In addition, large data bases and statistical analysis software are available on a MicroVAX minicomputer.<\/p>\n

The administrative side of the Computer Center provides administrative record keeping for the University. Support includes the development and maintenance of software, terminal and personal computer hookup to the network, hardware maintenance for certain remote equipment, training on the use of equipment and software, consultation on the acquisition of computer resources, and a variety of other services.<\/p>\n

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5.7.4 Assessment and Institutional Research<\/h3>\n

Assessment and Institutional Research is responsible for performing and assisting in the areas of data exchange, accountability reporting, analytical studies, and planning.<\/p>\n

Assessment and Institutional Research maintains various institutional data bases related to enrollment, admissions, degrees granted, and overall student body characteristics. Thus, this office is responsible for completing data inquiries from internal and external sources. In addition, this office is responsible for coordinating the University’s planning effort and provides staff support to the President and Vice Presidents.\u00a0 Executive Director of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness chairs the University’s Planning Council and represents the University on state budget committees and advisory groups. <\/i><\/p>\n

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5.7.5 The Center for Women and Government<\/h3>\n

The Director is responsible for the encouragement of the future leadership of women by preparing then for public service through non\u2013partisan provision and support of education, research, training and development of creative programs. The program is designed to provide a full semester of learning experience focusing on the role of women in government.<\/p>\n

The Louisiana Center for Women and Government provides funding to the Department of Government for the Women and Government Program. There are three major components to the program\u2014an internship, a seminar, and an independent research project. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive eighteen (18) hours of college credit.<\/p>\n

Acceptance into the program is competitive and accompanied by a full academic scholarship. A stipend is also granted to offset the cost of living. If the internship necessitates residency in Baton Rouge, housing is provided. Students from any major are welcome to apply. For more information contact the Department of Government (ext. 4610).<\/p>\n

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5.7.6 University Computer Services<\/h3>\n

The Director of University Computer Services reports to the Executive Vice President. University Computer services assists students, faculty, staff and administrators with their data processing needs.<\/p>\n

The University main computer center in Room 155 Peltier Hall provides services to students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The computer configuration consists of an IBM 9221 computer system, model 130, with 64 million\u2013byte main memory. The system has two magnetic tape drives and 11.20 billion\u2013byte disk capacity. The campus has a fiber optic cable system connecting buildings; in addition, more than 750 terminals and personal computers are connected to the network. Its server is operated by a NOVELL operating system which connects users to the campus main network (NSUNET), the state computer network (LaNet), and Internet.<\/p>\n

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5.7.6.1 The Telecommunications Center<\/h4>\n

Every faculty and staff member has access to a telephone for business use. The University telephone system is computer controlled and is maintained by the Telecommunications Center. Any on\u2013campus number may be called by dialing the four\u2013digit extension number after hearing a dial tone. To call an outside number, the caller should wait for the dial tone, dial 9, wait for the second dial tone, and then dial the outside number. Long distance calls can be made only from designated extensions. Faculty\/staff who need to make several long distance calls on University business should request this service through the Department Head or immediate supervisor.<\/p>\n

The University’s phone system has several useful features that faculty\/staff may wish to use: call forwarding, call waiting, conference calling, and the ability for all users to have incoming calls automatically transferred. Faculty and staff members are encouraged to have telephone calls forwarded to departmental secretaries for the convenience of students. An instructional booklet on the details regarding these features can be obtained through the Telecommunications Center at extension 4999. The University Computing Center\u00a0also offers a telephone equipment troubleshooting service and will forward requests for telephone equipment service.<\/p>\n

The following are established procedures that apply to phone service<\/p>\n

ADDS, MOVES, CHANGES:<\/p>\n

These requests will require a campus work order, with appropriate signatures, routed through Purchasing. Work orders will be processed in the order they are received (FIFO).<\/p>\n

PROBLEMS:<\/p>\n

Problems can be reported by e\u2013mail to \u201cPHONE\u201d describing the nature of the problem and providing the following: a) Extension with problem b) building and room, and 3) contact person with extension.<\/p>\n

Problems will be handled as a priority item (higher than Adds, Moves, or Changes).<\/p>\n

E\u2013mail reports are encouraged because the technician may be away from the office performing repairs.<\/p>\n

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5.7.7 Records and Registration<\/h3>\n

Records and Registration reports directly to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.<\/p>\n

The responsibility of this office is to assure the accuracy and integrity of student academic records. The office operates registration services, drop\/add, resignations, class rosters, and enrollment verifications. Transcripts of the student’s academic record are sent at the request of the student.<\/p>\n

Other responsibilities of this office include monitoring compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974\u00a0(FERPA) (described in the University Catalog<\/em>), NCAA student athletic eligibility, academic renewal, grade changes, credit petitions, and recording credit by examination.<\/p>\n

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5.7.8 Research and Sponsored Programs<\/h3>\n

The Director initiates and disseminates research grant activities and other sponsored programs, serves as a liaison with the Board of regents Research Council and with staff of other universities with regard to research grants, assists in grant writing for faculty and staff, and works in conjunction with the university\u2019s Coordinator of Grants to disseminate funds<\/p>\n

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) promotes and facilitates research and scholarly activities for faculty and administrative staff by helping them locate and secure external funding. The office encourages the inclusion of students in grant projects. ORSP provides a central source of information on major governmental agencies, foundations and corporations that support research, and pedagogical and creative activities.<\/p>\n

ORSP provides assistance with the conceptual development and planning of proposals. More specifically, it offers pre\u2013award assistance in identifying potential extramural funding sources, developing proposal narratives and budgets, completing standardized application forms, assuring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, and negotiating grant awards and contracts.<\/p>\n

Every proposal for external funds submitted by ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ faculty and staff legally binds the University to certain activities and\/or cost. Therefore, the planned project must be in accord with University, college, and department goals, capabilities and policies. For this reason, all grants, contracts or cooperative agreements must be submitted to the ORSP for review and designated administrative approvals.<\/p>\n

Pre\u2013award handbook and policies regarding human subject research are available on the ORSP website.<\/p>\n

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5.7.8.1 Faculty Research Support and Faculty Research Council<\/h4>\n

The Faculty Research Council\u00a0gathers and disseminates information concerning grants and funds available to the University. The Council also reviews faculty proposals requesting University funding. There are eight members on the Faculty Research Council.<\/p>\n

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5.7.9 Academic Program Development and Changes<\/h3>\n

Specific information about such topics as academic program changes can be found in Board of Regents memoranda on file in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.<\/p>\n

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5.7.9.1 Curriculum Development<\/h4>\n

\nFaculty have the primary responsibility for curriculum, including course additions, deletions, or modifications, and program additions or modifications. These additions and modifications may involve Board of Regents approval. Faculty should be aware of the complete process from the department level to the Board of Regents (Section 5.7.9.2). Knowledge of time limitations is crucial for a successful conclusion to the process. In most cases, a curriculum proposal is developed intra-departmentally. The college curriculum committees review the proposal and either approve it by sending it on to the Dean or sending it back to the Head with suggested modifications. The Dean may return the proposal to the committee for further modification or send it on to the Courses and Curriculum Committee or the Graduate Council as required.<\/p>\n

After review by the Graduate Council\u00a0or appropriate committee, the proposal may be returned to the appropriate Dean for modification. The committees may also schedule hearings with specific Department Heads or faculty proposing changes in order to obtain further information. Upon approval by the committee, a recommendation is forwarded to the Faculty Senate.<\/p>\n

Upon approval by the Courses and Curricula Committee, minutes are forwarded to the Faculty Senate and a recommendation is made by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs makes final disposition of the proposal and notifies the Senate of the recommendation. More detailed information of the responsibilities in the routing process for curriculum changes is found in the Courses and Curriculum Procedures document.<\/p>\n

Approximate deadlines for the steps described above are as follows. These deadlines are necessary in order to make the publishing deadline required by the University Catalog:<\/p>\n

\n\u2022 Department Head must submit notice that the curriculum change proposed herein has been communicated to the campus community 2 weeks prior to scheduled Courses and Curricula Committee (C&CC) meeting (Notice of Proposed Action to C&C)
\n\u2022 For schedule of meeting times with C&CC see \\\\NICHNSUNET\\USERS\\admins\\COURSES AND CURRICULA\\C&C Calendar\\COURSES AND CURRICULA calendar.doc on V Drive.
\n\u2022 Check appropriate boxes on this form to indicate action proposed to C&CC and documentation included in packet. A separate form must be completed and submitted for each action proposed.
\n\u2022 Explain WHY this change is being proposed using documented assessment that has been done by faculty in your department and attach documentation.
\n\u2022 This completed form and applicable attachments must be emailed to the C&CC at coursescurricula@nicholls.edu at least two weeks prior to the meeting date scheduled with C&CC. These documents are emailed to the C&CC members to review prior to the meeting.
\n\u2022 Department representative must bring the original, signed copy of this document and one hardcopy of all attachments to the scheduled C&CC meeting.<\/p>\n

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5.7.9.2 Modifications to or Creation of Degree Programs<\/h4>\n

The Board of Regents for the State of Louisiana has the authority to grant Program and Curriculum
\nChanges for Louisiana Colleges and Universities. Guidelines for “requests to offer a new program”
\nand “requests to revise or eliminate an existing program and\/or administrative unit.” were modified in
\nSeptember 2011.<\/p>\n

The first step in the method for proposing these changes is the \u201cLetter of Intent.\u201d It is important for all faculty members to realize that<\/p>\n

\n