ACADEMIC PROBATION The Academic Probation and Suspension Policy applies only to students in curriculum programs.

     Level 1 Probation (Warning): Degree, diploma and certificate seeking students performing below a 2.0 grade point average in the previous semester will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation will work with his/her advisor to develop an academic plan and/or will be directed into specialized coursework. (Warning does NOT appear on the student’s transcript.)

     Level 2 Probation: Degree, diploma and certificate seeking students who have not attained a 2.0 grade point average for two consecutive terms will be required to review and modify their academic plans with their advisor. Additionally, they may be required to limit their semester course load and will be advised to register for ACA 118 if they have not already done so. (A “Probation” notation appears on the student’s transcript.)

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
     Probationary students who have not attained a 2.0 grade point average for three consecutive terms and have a cumulative GPA below 2.0 will be suspended for one semester. (A “Suspension” notation appears on the student’s transcript.)

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
     All students are expected to be present and regular in attendance for scheduled class/lab sessions. Absences will be considered justified and excusable only in cases of emergencies, serious illness or death in the immediate family. At the discretion of instructors, students may make up work missed. When a student must be absent, it is vital that he remain in contact with his instructors.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT
     Southwestern Community College values mutual respect between faculty and students. The College understands that students may disagree with an instructor on occasion. On these occasions, the instructor may defer the issue to an after-class discussion so as not to interfere with classroom objectives.

     If on any occasion the instructor feels that a student’s conduct is not conducive to the learning atmosphere of the class, then the instructor may direct the student to cease the conduct. If the student fails to comply, the instructor may direct the student to leave the classroom. The instructor may also suspend the student from class for the remainder of the semester as outlined in the SCC Discipline Procedure. Whenever an incident of misconduct does occur, the incident will be evaluated after class by the necessary faculty and administrative personnel. The student at all times has the right of due process as stated in the SCC Disciplinary and Appeals Procedure.

CLINICAL EDUCATION
     Clinical or Cooperative education is a required component of most of the Health Science Curricular Programs at Southwestern Community College. Clinical/Co-op education centers are off-campus and vary in location. Students are responsible for housing and transportation while attending the clinical/co-op education centers. The College has the final decision regarding clinical/co-op education site assignments.

COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS
Advice for Associate in Arts, College Transfer Students
Timeline for a Successful University Transfer

1st semester

COMMENCEMENT APPLICATION
     Commencement exercises are held at the end of the spring and summer semesters for all students who are candidates for degrees, diplomas or certificates. Students should apply between the first and 50th class day of the semester in which they expect to complete their program. Applications will not be accepted after the announced deadline. Application steps are as follows:

     Students completing requirements during the summer and fall semesters can apply for commencement and pay fees at the end of the particular semester. If the student is qualified, the Registrar orders credentials and mails them to the student. Those completing degrees, diplomas and certificates at the end of the summer or fall semesters may participate in the next spring commencement exercises by simply stating their intention in a letter to the Registrar. Those who apply and do not qualify must reapply after deficiencies are completed. Credentials will not be ordered and held for students to complete requirements in a subsequent semester.

     A student must maintain an overall average of C (2.00 GPA) in order to graduate. Some health science programs have additional graduation requirements as defined by those programs.

NOTE: Students enrolled in a course(s) required for graduation at another college, must submit a copy of the registration form to the Registrar.

GRADING SYSTEM
     Official grades are issued for every student at the end of each semester. Students enrolled in curriculum courses will be graded by the letter grade system and assigned a grade point average (GPA) for each semester. Instructors inform students about their specific grading scales. The College does not have a uniform grading scale.

     The GPA is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the number of credit hours attempted.

     A GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation. Transfer credits are not included in the GPA computation.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

Before Registration

RESIDENCY CLASSIFICATION FOR TUITION PURPOSES
     To qualify for in-state tuition, students must have maintained domicile in North Carolina for at least 12 months immediately prior to enrollment. Individuals must establish that their presence in the state during the designated 12-month period was for the purpose of maintaining a bona-fide domicile and not to simply establish temporary residence. Special situations involving marriage to a NC resident or out-of-state military assignments should be brought to the attention of the Dean of Student Services.

     Regulations concerning classification for tuition purposes are set forth in “A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes.” A copy of the manual is available for review in Enrollment Services.

     If a student's residency classification changes, it is his obligation to apply for reclassification with the Dean of Student Services. A student who provides false residency information or knowingly withholds residency information shall be deemed to have submitted a fraudulent application. A student making a fraudulent application is subject to reclassification and, if appropriate, payment of the difference between non-resident and resident tuition for the enrolled semester(s) intervening between the fraudulent application and its discovery.

     If a student is not satisfied with his initial residency classification or reclassification, he may appeal to the Vice President for Instruction and Student Services. After review by the vice president, if the student remains dissatisfied, the student may file notice of appeal to the State Residence Committee.

STUDENT GRADE APPEAL
     The grade appeal process applies only to final course grades. In the event a student appeals a grade that prevents progression in a program, the student will be allowed to enroll and attend the following semester pending the outcome of the appeal. If the grade is upheld, the student will be withdrawn and refunded the tuition.

TRANSCRIPTS
     Transcripts for course work completed at SCC are issued by the Registrar’s Office. Written permission must be granted by the student before a transcript may be released. Permission may be granted by letter or by completing a “Transcript Release Form” in the Registrar’s Office. No fee is charged for transcripts.

     As stated in the Student Record Policy section of this handbook, a transcript will not be released to a student who is indebted to the college. Indebted students who request transcripts will be referred to the Business Office for resolution of the outstanding balance.

TRANSFER OF EARNED CREDIT
     Applicants to degree, diploma or certificate programs who want credit for coursework completed at other post-secondary institution are responsible for having an official transcript transcript from each institution submitted directly to the Admissions Office. Courses with a grade of “C” or higher may be accepted if the courses are applicable to the program selected at this college and were earned at an accredited college, university, community college or technical institute.

     Credits transferred to Southwestern Community College from another institution will be recognized as hours toward the appropriate degree, diploma or certificate, but will not be calculated toward the cumulative grade point average (GPA) for that program.

     All official transcripts submitted to the Admissions Office prior to a student’s enrollment will be evaluated for transfer credit before registration, if possible, and in no case later than the end of the first semester of enrollment following acceptance into the program of study.