UCAC FAQs

Available Counseling Services
Brief, confidential, and individual counseling and advising services are provided to enrolled and prospective UCAC students on matters relating to academic, career and/or personal matters as they impact LSU students. Counselors are available Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

Adding/changing classes
This schedule change can be accomplished in one of two ways: student uses his/her PAWS account on-line; or if there are issues/questions, the student comes to UCAC office, 150 Himes Hall. Adding/changing classes should conform to current deadlines. (See current LSU General Catalog, Schedule of Classes Booklet)

Cross-registration
If you want to take classes at LSU AND either Baton Rouge Community College or Southern University, you want to participate in the cross-registration program. The process starts by completing the cross-registration form in 150 Himes Hall.

Deficit
If a student's grade point average (GPA) is below 2.00, that student has a deficit. If a student has a 2.00, but his/her degree program requires a higher GPA to enter, that student also has a deficit. The deficit is calculated by multiplying the total hours carried by 2.00 (or the needed GPA) and subtracting the total number of quality points earned.

Degree Audit
A degree audit is an individualized status report of a student's progress in completing degree requirements. It is an important tool in the course selection process, but does not replace personal advising by the degree program advisor(s). An audit can be downloaded from a student's PAWS account. An audit can also be printed for a student by a UCAC counselor, 150 Himes Hall.

GPA
Grade point average (GPA) is a numerical assessment of a student's academic progress. At LSU, it is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the number of hours attempted for a grade. Students who would like more information should visit the Center For Academic Success website (http://www.lsu.edu/cas) and use their GPA Calculator; or contact a UCAC counselor, 150 Himes Hall.

How to drop a class
Schedule changes can be accomplished in one of several ways: student may use his/her PAWS account on-line; or the student may come to the UCAC office, 150 Himes Hall. Dropping a class(es) should conform to current deadlines. (See current LSU General Catalog, Schedule of Classes Booklet) If the student is enrolled for only one class, that class cannot be "dropped." That student is seeking to leave LSU before the semester is over so that student must resign for the semester and it cannot be done electronically. If a student needs to resign, he/she must consult with a UCAC counselor, 150 Himes Hall, or 225/578-8281. Resignation should also conform to the current university deadlines.

How to open a PAWS account
You may open a PAWS account and it generally requires 24 hours for your account to be activated. PAWS stands for Personal Access Web Services. It includes free e-mail and a host of other university services including schedule changes, checking grades, supplemental instructional materials and more.

How to get more time to complete the semester
If a student experiences a crisis which makes it difficult to complete the semester, at least two alternatives are possible. If the deadline for dropping has not passed, that student may decide to reduce his/her course load by dropping one or more classes or he/she may drop all classes (resign). If the last day to drop has passed and the student can provide documentation of the crisis he/she might receive an incomplete or "I" Grade which extends the semester in one or more classes. An "I" Grade must be requested through a UCAC counselor but will only be granted if certain conditions apply: 1) The student must be passing the class; 2) A final grade has not yet been awarded; 3) It is possible to make up what ever work was or will be missed; and 4) The instructor is supportive of the student being granted an "I" grade. For more detail, please contact a UCAC counselor in 150 Himes Hall.

How to get a flag removed
A schedule flag is an electronic stop sign used by this and other colleges to require target groups of students to receive counseling prior to scheduling. UCAC flags certain groups of students: students not in good academic standing (on probation or warning), those in their 1st UCAC semester to sign an enrollment agreement, those in their 3rd UCAC semester, and those in their 4th UCAC semester. The flag is removed when the student comes for a conference with a UCAC counselor.

How to get a hold removed
A hold is another electronic stop sign. The hold is used to prevent a student from obtaining a fee bill. Students who have used their eligibility to participate in the UCAC program will have a hold placed on their schedules. Instead of receiving a fee bill, such students get a letter reminding them of the hold. That student would then visit their senior college after final grades are posted and be admitted. Once admitted, that college will be able to remove the hold and the student would complete their registration via their PAWS account, or report to the Office of the Bursar, 125 Thomas Boyd Hall.

How to leave school officially before the end of the semester
If a student simply stops attending class(es), he/she will still receive a grade. To officially withdraw from school for the semester, that student must initiate resignation. The needed paperwork to accomplish this change must be obtained from a UCAC counselor in 150 Himes Hall. Resignation simply means the student is leaving school early this semester. The student is eligible to continue in school in the next semester/term without reapplying for admission.

How to notify instructors of an extended absence
If serious illness or other emergency will require absence from class for several consecutive days, a student should contact their professor(s). Students may also contact a UCAC counselor. We will notify each instructor via campus mail or email. The student should bring documentation upon his/her return to class, as attendance policy is set by individual instructors and could be required. Depending on how much time is missed, a student may need to discuss schedule changes to protect academic standing/GPA.

How to plan appropiate school/work load
To determine a student's current workload, add the following three numbers: hours a week a student works, plus their current course load, plus minimum study time -- 2 times the course load is the recommended amount of study per week. Students whose work week exceeds 60 hours are generally trying to accomplish too much. If that student is also in poor academic standing, the outcome of such overloading is often scholastic drop, resignation to protect GPA, and frustration with their lack of academic progress. This is a good subject to consider with a UCAC counselor.

How to resign
According to the current academic calendar, (see current LSU General Catalog, Schedule of Classes Booklet or click here for calendar) report to 150 Himes Hall and see a UCAC counselor. The counselor will initiate the paperwork needed for a student to withdraw from LSU for the remainder of this semester. If the deadline has passed or if for some important reason a student cannot come to campus, a UCAC counselor should be contacted as soon as possible to see what assistance can be provided.

How to transfer to senior college
Continuing students have a limited time to seek admission to a degree granting college. The "window of opportunity" is from the time final grades for the semester or term are posted on the LSU Database until the last day to add a class in the next immediate semester/term. A student reports to the senior college he/she seeks to enter before the deadline. The location of the senior college offices are as follows:

How do I sign up for Independent Study
Students interested in enrolling in an Independent Study course should visit the LSU Independent and Distance Learning website at http://is.lsu.edu/ or pick up an Independent Study booklet. Students enrolled in UCAC must have their application signed by the Dean or by a Counselor. Each senior college has different restrictions regarding Independent Study. Students should check with the senior college or with a UCAC counselor.

How do I know which courses will transfer to LSU
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions evaluates credit from other institutions after the student's complete application and all official transcripts from each college and university attended have been received. Students may also contact UCAC if they are unclear as to whether academic credit at other institutions is transferable.

How do I get on a waitlist for a course
Students who are scheduling via their PAWS account will have the option to add their name to a wait list for a specific course that is full. This does not guarantee a seat in the course, but it does let the student hold a spot in line should a seat open up. The University Registrar will automatically move students off the lists and into courses as space becomes available. For more information, please visit the Office of the University Registrar at:
http://appl003.lsu.edu/slas/registrar.nsf/$Content/Waitlisting?OpenDocument

Why can't I schedule 3000/4000 level classes
Students in UCAC may be permitted to register for courses numbered 3000-3999 only if they have approval. A student with fewer than 30 hours of credit earned needs the permission of the instructor of the course, the college offering the course, and the dean of the student's college. UCAC students with fewer than 60 hours earned are not normally allowed to enroll in courses numbered 4000 and above. However, student with 30 hours earned and a 3.50 GPA or higher may request permission for the course(s) from the instructor of the course, the college offering the course and the dean of the student's college. UCAC students can obtain the Request for Permission to Enroll in a 3000 or 4000 Level Course form in 150 Himes.

What are some easy A courses
There is not a list of "easy A" courses. Students should use their own judgment when determining whether or not to schedule a certain course.

How do I audit a course
An enrolled student may be admitted to class as an auditor by obtaining written consent from the course instructor and the dean of the college offering the course. After scheduling the course, students must submit the required approvals to their deans' offices to change their enrollment from credit to audit. Auditors will not receive credit for courses audited, although courses previously audited may later be taken for credit.

What can I do with a degree in _______
Students with questions or concerns regarding their degree/major should visit Career Services in B-1 Coates or their website.Students are also encouraged to speak with the Faculty Advisor of their major.

How many Ws can I have
Students may drop courses through the sixth class day without receiving a grade of "W". A "W" grade will be entered on a student's record for any course dropped between the sixth class day and the final date for dropping courses. Students should consult the academic calendar maintained by the University Registrar http://appl003.lsu.edu/slas/registrar.nsf/index to determine deadlines each semester. Withdrawals cannot exceed the numbers allowed in the following table unless authorized by the dean of the student's college. Withdrawal allowances cannot be carried forward.