General Information

The University complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Questions regarding FERPA may be directed to the Office of the Registrar at 475-5149.

Notification of Rights

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. (This right also applies to parents of dependent students, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.) A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student believes is inaccurate or misleading, and specify how and why it should be changed. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The University discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using University employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the governing or management board; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University. Upon request, the University also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-5901.

Directory Information

Under FERPA, only directory information may be released without a student’s written consent, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Directory information is defined as: a student’s name, address, telephone number and email address; date and place of birth; major field of study and classification; enrollment status (full-time or part-time; undergraduate or graduate); photograph; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of attendance, degrees, awards, and honors received; and previous educational institution most recently attended.
To prevent the release of directory information without written consent, an enrolled student may complete a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information form with the Records Manager in the Office of the Registrar. Requests to withhold information are in effect until the student provides written notification to the Office of the Registrar to rescind the request.

Class Attendance Regulations

Class attendance is regarded as an obligation as well as a privilege, and students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are enrolled. Students enrolled in e-learning classes must log in and participate in course activities. Failrue to do so may jepoardize a student’s scholastic standing and may lead to suspension from the University. 

1. Each instructor is encouraged to keep an attendance record for each class. Instructors are required to state in each course syllabus their expectations regarding class attendance and make-up policies. The course syllabus must be distributed during the first week of the semester.
2. A student must submit excuses for class absences within the time frame specified in the syllabus. If the absence is due to required participation in a University sanctioned event (band trips, special field trips, music performance, athletic team trips, etc.), the student must present an official University excuse signed by the provost.
3. Students who are absent due to medical issues should present valid documentation signed by a health care provider to the instructor as soon after the absence as possible. The instructor will determine if the absences is excused or unexcused. Medical documentation is subject to verification by the instructor. Proof of medical issues that cause a student to be absent for an extended period must be presented to the instructor as soon as possible after the student receives this diagnosis from a medical professional. The instructor may allow the student to complete exams or assignments in an alternative course format (use of Moodle, use of note takers, independent study, etc.), if appropriate. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor and make arrangements and discuss if options are available to complete the course requirements. Note: An ‘incomplete’ grade for the course must be in accordance with University policy.
4. When the excuse is presented to the instructor in the specified time frame, the instructor will provide the student with an opportunity to complete any outstanding work due to the absence. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to make arrangements for makeup work or exams. After the student has provided the instructor with an official University excuse, make up assignments or exams should be completed as soon as possible after the absence or when appropriate, prior to the absence.
5. Instructors will not require a student to make up all exams at once.
6. Recipients of Federal financial aid should contact the Office of Financial Aid and consult the section of the catalog concerning financial aid to understand the implications of withdrawals for non-attendance on funding and the repayment of funding received. Students must also understand that failure to attend class may have a negative impact on TOPS eligibility, private insurance coverage, tax status, or other financial assistance.

Assistance for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities who will need assistance during registration and/or accommodations in classes should first meet with their advisor, then contact the Office of Accessibility Services  in Drew Hall, Room 200 or call 475-5916 no later than one (1) week prior to registration. Other services, such as an interpreter for hearing impaired students, require two (2) weeks’ notice.

Graduation Notice

Students who plan to complete graduation requirements at the end of this semester should file an Application for Degree for each degree they are to receive. The application(s) form is available in the student’s academic department and should be turned in to their department head during the first week of classes. Any student who submitted an application for degree last semester, but did not graduate, must file a new application if he or she plans to complete degree requirements this semester.
If a student is transferring hours from another university in order to complete degree requirements at McNeese, the grade(s) from the other university must be received in the McNeese Office of the Registrar no later than the date specified in the Calendar link.
Graduating students who plan to return to McNeese for additional course work must complete and submit an Application for Admission to the Admissions Office.

Change of Curriculum 

1. A curriculum change form may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. The academic department head(s) involved must approve the change. All copies of the completed form must be returned to the Office of the Registrar. A student who is unable to come to campus to complete this process should contact his/her academic advisor for assistance.
2. A curriculum may be changed through the last date for late registration for a regular semester or summer session. Any curriculum change form received after the last date for late registration will be processed for the next semester in which the student enrolls. However, if requested by the student and approved by the registrar, a curriculum change form received after the last date for late registration may be processed for the current term, provided the change will not negatively impact the student nor the University. 

Institutional Disclosure and Reporting Requirements

Federal law requires all public universities to provide students with information concerning graduation rates, security policies and crime statistics, and athletic program participation rates and financial data.
Security policies and crime statistics are available on the University Police website.
Athletic program participation rates and financial data are available each year by October 15, and the report is placed on reserve in Frazar Memorial Library. The report on completion and graduation rates is available each year by July 1 and can be reviewed in the Office of Institutional Research.

Jeanne Cleary Act – Annual Security And Fire Safety Report

McNeese State University and the campus community receives policing services through the University Police Department , which is staffed 24 hours-a-day by state certified police officers. Security, safety and crime prevention policies and crime statistics are included in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Additional crime and prevention information is available on the University web site: http://www.mcneese.edu/police .

Final Grades

Final grades can be viewed by accessing Banner Self-Service or My McNeese Portal. A student who requires an official report of grades may request an official transcript from the Office of the Registrar. Final grade reports are not mailed to students.