Academic Catalog Policy

McNeese State University complies with Standards 10.1 and 10.2 of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement by publishing an online academic catalog, which serves as a principal policy document. The catalog provides information on:

• Curriculum requirements
• Academic policies and procedures
• General guidelines for enrollment and degree completion
• The official academic calendar
• Tuition and fees, financial aid, and academic and student support services

McNeese State University also complies with Standard 10.3 of the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement by providing online access to archived catalogs from the 2008-2009 academic year to the present. Hard copies of catalogs from the 1939-1940 academic year to the 2011-2012 academic year are housed in the Frazar Memorial Library archives. Instructions for accessing archived catalogs are provided below.

Curriculum and Degree Plan Requirements

Curriculum or degree plan requirements are placed in the catalog by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness and entered into the Banner system and Degree Works by the Office of the Registrar and Admissions. Curriculum items must first be reviewed and approved according to the procedures stated in the Curriculum and Course Development Policy. Once approved, they are incorporated into the catalog, Banner system, and Degree Works.

Items requiring approval from external entities (e.g., University of Louisiana System, Louisiana Board of Regents, Louisiana Department of Education, and/or SACSCOC) are included in the academic catalog and take effect only after receiving the necessary approvals.

Approval Process for Non-Curriculum Changes

Catalog information regarding matters other than curriculum requirements must be approved by the appropriate vice president and the provost and vice president for academic affairs before being placed in the catalog.

Deadlines for Academic Catalog Revisions

To ensure timely updates, the following deadlines apply for revisions to the academic catalog for the next academic year:

• Curriculum and Course Development Submissions: Due by the last working day in September and must include all necessary attachments for consideration by the respective curriculum committee. (See Curriculum and Course Development Policy.)
• Narrative Changes: Due by the last day of final exams in the fall semester.

Catalog Updates and Student Responsibility

The academic catalog is subject to change and may be implemented without prior notice. Every effort is made to ensure the online catalog remains current. As changes occur during the academic year, the online catalog is updated accordingly. In cases of discrepancies between a previously published hard copy and the online version, the online version takes precedence.

Students are responsible for using the correct catalog. If uncertain, students should consult an academic advisor. Prospective students should refer to the most current catalog.

The University reserves the right to modify the academic calendar, fees, degree program requirements, admissions, registration, graduation regulations, and other student-related policies without notice. The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness reserves the right to edit the catalog as needed unless the edit significantly impacts a policy, procedure, or degree requirements. Changes become effective upon approval by the appropriate authorities and apply to current and prospective students.

The academic catalog does not constitute a contract or an offer to contract with students enrolled or intending to enroll at the University.

Accessing the Academic Catalog

The current academic catalog can be accessed online at catalog.mcneese.edu. Archived catalogs beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year are available via a dropdown menu on the catalog homepage.

Hard copies of catalogs from McNeese’s first academic year (1939-1940) through the last printed edition (2011-2012) are stored in the Frazar Memorial Library archives. These materials are available to the public by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled via email at archivesdept@mcneese.edu or by phone at (337) 475-5731. Archived materials may not be removed from Frazar Memorial Library.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.