Chapter 7 - Answer Your Questions

Registration, Scheduling and Advising Frequently Asked Questions

HOLDS

Registering/Dropping/Withdrawing Classes
DO I REGISTER FOR MY CLASSES OR SHOULD MY ADVISOR DO IT FOR ME?
Once registration opens, you should log in to LOLA in order to register for your own classes.  Advisors are not authorized to register students for classes, nor do they have access to do so.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED TO BE A FULL-TIME STUDENT?
You must register for a minimum of 12 credits in order to maintain full-time status. This requirement applies to fall and spring semesters. 6-9 credits for the summer semester.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM CREDIT LIMIT PER SEMESTER?
The maximum class load that you may schedule is 18 credits during a fall or spring semester and 9 credits during the summer semester. In order to exceed these limits, you must obtain written permission from the dean for your major.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN THERE ARE NO OPEN SECTIONS OF A CLASS?
You will need to continue checking LOLA for available seats. Once a seat becomes available, you may add the class in LOLA. The waitlist option is available for some classes. You can also review your degree plan for alternate course options.

WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES FOR ADDING, DROPPING, AND WITHDRAWING FROM CLASSES?
Adding Classes

• New, returning, and transfer students can make subsequent changes to their schedules by logging into their LOLA accounts. Applicable deadlines are posted on the academic calendar.
• Continuing students: Classes may be added by logging into their LOLA accounts. Applicable deadlines are posted on the academic calendar. 

Dropping Classes

• New, returning, and transfer students can make subsequent changes to their schedules by logging into their LOLA accounts. Applicable deadlines are posted on the academic calendar.
• Continuing students: Classes may be dropped by logging into their LOLA accounts. Applicable deadlines are posted on the academic calendar.

 Did You Know?

• Dropped classes are not recorded on the student’s transcript.
• Students who stop attending any class without officially dropping will earn a grade of “F” in the class.
• After the end of the add/drop period, students may withdraw from a class with a grade of “W” (see “Withdrawing from Courses” below).
• Withdrawing from a class after the add/drop period will not reduce the student’s financial obligation and may affect eligibility for current and continued financial aid.
• Students are responsible for officially dropping classes. Instructors are not responsible for dropping students for non-attendance.

 Withdrawing from Classes

• Students must log into their LOLA account to withdraw from a course.

 Did You Know?

• Withdrawn classes are recorded on the student’s transcript with a grade of “W.” Grades of “W” are not calculated in students’ GPAs.
• Students who stop attending any class without officially withdrawing will earn a grade of “F” in the class.
• Students who withdraw from a class or who stop attending without completing the withdrawal process may be subject to repayment of Federal student aid awarded for the semester.
• Applicable deadlines are posted on the academic calendar.

INCOMPLETE GRADES
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING AN INCOMPLETE GRADE?
An “I” or Incomplete grade may be awarded to a student who has experienced a serious, documented, catastrophic problem in the final two weeks of the semester. All of the following criteria must be met:

• A final grade in the course has not yet been awarded.
• Work in the class reflects at least a “C” average at the time of the catastrophic event.

To receive a letter grade of “I”, a student should petition his/her instructor. The academic dean of the division should be contacted if the instructor is unavailable.

It is vital to note that “I” grades are temporary. When a grade of incomplete is awarded, students have 90 days from the end of the semester to complete all work and take the final examination for the class. Students are required to complete the course by this deadline whether or not they are enrolled at BRCC. Upon completion of the work, the student’s “I” grade will be replaced with the grade earned for the course. Failure to complete the required work within the prescribed time limit will result in an “F” for the class. 

FINANCIAL AID
WHAT IS SAP?
SAP stands for Satisfactory Academic Progress. SAP is a set of federal regulations which determine if a student is in good standing to receive financial aid.

• Students must meet the following requirements in order to maintain SAP:
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
• Maintain a 67% completion rate of all classes.
• Completion rate is the number of credits the student has attempted divided by the number of credits passed (credits passed / credits attempted = completion rate).
• Example: Tom registered for 15 credits. He passed 6 credits, failed 6 credits, and withdrew from 3 credits. His completion rate is 6 / 15 = 0.4 or 40%.

DEGREE TYPES
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CERTIFICATE AND A DEGREE?
Generally, a certificate program requires fewer credits than a degree program. Certificate programs generally are narrower in scope than degree programs, focusing on a specific subject, content area, or skill.

HOW MANY CREDITS ARE REQUIRED FOR DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS?
Most associate’s degrees (AA, AAS and AS) require a minimum of 60 credits. Most technical diplomas require a minimum of 45 credits. Certificates require a minimum of 30 credits.

The degree plan indicates a “recommended” class? Am I required to register for it?

Several degree plans list recommended classes for electives (e.g., the basic general studies degree plan lists “Recommend: ENGL literature” as a third semester elective.). While the elective is required, the specific course to fulfill that elective is not. These recommendations are based on courses that are transferable to many four-year institutions.

CROSS-ENROLLMENT
WHAT IS CROSS-ENROLLMENT?
Cross enrollment allows BRCC students to register for classes here and at LSU, SU, SELU, RPCC or Delgado in the same semester. Classes taken at either of those institutions apply towards enrollment at the student’s home institution.

• The home institution is BRCC.
• The host institution is LSU, SU, SELU, RPCC, or Delgado.
• Cross-enrollment credits at LSU cannot exceed 3 credits and SU cannot exceed 6 credits in the fall, spring or summer semesters.
• Cross-enrollment credits (credits at LSU, SU, or SELU) cannot exceed 3 credits in the summer semester.
• BRCC students cannot exceed (including cross enrollment hours) the maximum 18 credits at BRCC.
• A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for cross-enrollment. However, LSU require 30 semester hours and 2.5 GPA.
• Students must submit application before the last day to add classes at visiting institution.
• Forms are available on the Cross-Enrollment webpage

PROGRAM DIFFERENCES
A.A. (Associate of Arts) Degree: Student seeking an A.A. degree must complete an additional 5+ credits in humanities/social science.

A.S. (Associate of Science) Degree: Student seeking an A.S. degree must complete an additional 5+ credits in math/science.

A.A.S (Associate of Applied Science) Degree: Student seeking an A.A.S degree must satisfactorily complete a program as established by the College. It is not designed for transfer, however, graduates may be accepted into a four year institution.

T.D. (Technical Diploma): An applied, technical program (45 to 60 hours), often formed by combining multiple T.C.A’s.

T.C.A. (Technical Competency Areas): An applied course or a series of courses (1-16 hours), a T.C.A. provides a student with a specific technical competency and serves as a curricular construct. T.C.A’s are strictly limited to technical and community colleges and are often combined to form a technical certificate.  

TRANSFER COURSES, TRANSCRIPTS, AND EQUIVALENCIES FAQs
HOW CAN I KNOW IF A COURSE COMPLETED AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION IS EQUIVALENT TO A BRCC COURSE?

Review the Louisiana Board of Regents master course articulation matrix to determine what courses from other Louisiana institutions will transfer to BRCC. Transcripts are evaluated by the registrar’s office at the time of your initial BRCC registration.

WHAT IF A COURSE OR INSTITUTION IS NOT ON THE LOUISIANA BOARD OF REGENTS MATRIX?
If a course is not listed on the matrix, the registrar’s office will determine an equivalency for transferable courses.

I ATTENDED ANOTHER COLLEGE BUT THE CREDITS ARE MISSING FROM MY   TRANSCRIPT.  WHAT SHOULD I DO?  
Contact the BRCC registrar’s office and request a transcript review. If credits are missing from your BRCC transcript, you likely will need to order an official transcript from your previous institution(s).

MAJOR CHANGE
HOW DO I CHANGE MY MAJOR?
You must complete the Change of Program form located in your LOLA account in the student tab to change your major. Please allow 3 business days to process.

• You should speak with your advisor before making any changes to your major.
• Be advised that credits earned for one major/program will not apply automatically to a new one. Some credits from your original major may not apply toward your changed major/program. Therefore, please review your new degree checklist. 

COURSE TYPES
WHAT CLASSES APPLY TO THE SOCIAL OR BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES REQUIREMENT?

Social and behavioral sciences include the study of human behavior and how we influence the world around us. At BRCC, the following disciplines are included as social and behavioral sciences:

• Anthropology: study of people across time and space with an emphasis on cultural diversity.
• Criminal justice: study of the people, procedures, and institutions that uphold law in society.
• Economics: study of the production, transfer, and consumption of good and services.
• Geography: study of environments, landscapes, people, and places.
• Political science: study of how people create and exercise power.
• Psychology: study of the mind and behavior.
• Sociology: study of society and behavior shaped by social categories and institutions.

WHAT CLASSES APPLY TO THE FINE ARTS REQUIREMENT?
The fine arts include the study of visual and performing arts created for aesthetic and intellectual purposes. At BRCC, the following disciplines are included as fine arts

• Arts (art history and visual arts)
• Music
• Theater (performing arts)
• Film

WHAT CLASSES APPLY TO THE HUMANITIES REQUIREMENT?
The humanities include the study of how people process and document the human experience. At BRCC, the following disciplines are include as humanities:

• Speech
• English literature (2000 level)
• History
• Foreign Language (French and Spanish)
• Philosophy

WHAT CLASSES APPLY TO THE NATURAL SCIENCES REQUIREMENT?
Natural sciences include the study of the physical world. Some introductory science classes are offered at two levels: one for science majors and a second for non-science majors (e.g., BIOL 1000 Introduction to Biology I is designed for non-science majors while BIOL 1010 General Biology I is designed for science majors.) At SLCC, the following disciplines are included as natural sciences:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Physical Science
• Physics
• Astronomy
• Environmental Science

WHAT IS AN ELECTIVE?
An elective is a class in which students explore an academic interest or focus on a pathway toward a bachelor’s degree. At BRCC, there are three types of electives:

• Discipline elective: A course that must be chosen from a specific academic discipline (e.g., a fine arts elective or a natural science elective).
• General elective: A course that may be chosen from Humanities, Social Science, English, Fine Arts, Mathematics, or Natural Science.

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