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For more information on GRCC Policies visit: www.grcc.edu/generalcounsel/policies
Admissions and Placement
Gaining admission to enroll at Grand Rapids Community College is open to any individual who wishes to earn college level credit or participate in training programs. Admission to Grand Rapids Community College requires the submission of an application and, depending on the specific program, evidence of college readiness (e.g., high school transcripts, previous college transcripts, placement tests).
Academic Standing
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) requires all credit students to maintain good academic standing. Academic standing is reviewed at the end of each semester of enrollment at GRCC. Students who fail to meet the standards for good standing will be placed on alert, followed by probation, and suspension. Students will be suspended for one semester of enrollment. Suspension may be appealed through a formal process. Students receiving financial aid and/ior veteran’s benefits must also meet the specific academic requirements that detemrine continuation for these programs.
Once a GRCC student has attempted 12 credit hours, he/she must maintain a cumulative grade point average of not less than the following:
| Credit Hours Attempted |
Min. Cumulative GPA Required |
| 12-14 |
1.5 |
| 15-28 |
1.75 |
| 29 and Above |
2.00 |
Students are placed on Academic Probation when they have attempted at least 12 credit hours at GRCC and have failed to meet the minimum cumulative GPA listed above. The student will be notified of probation status. Students on academic probation are required:
1. To complete the Academic Success Workshop prior to the fourth week of the semester/session following placement on academic probation. A registration hold will be placed on the student’s account until this requirement has been met.
2. In collaboration with a counselor/advisor, the student will complete a written success contract. Enrollment limitations may be recommended based on counselor/advisor success assessment.
3. To obtain a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 for every semester/session.
Academic probation is removed when the cumulative GPA requirement is met.
A student on academic probation who does not achieve a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 in any subsequent semester/session will be placed on Academic Suspension. The student will be prohibited from enrolling in classes at GRCC for the next semester/session. The student placed on suspension may appeal to the Academic Probation and Suspension Committee for immediate return. The Committee’s decision is final.
Academic Forgiveness
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) offers academic forgiveness to provide students an opportunity to exclude a portion of their academic history that has negatively impacted their overall GPA calculation. The purpose of this policy is to increase opportunities for degree and credential attainment for students whose academic performance has improved. Academic Forgiveness may only be granted once. Information on eligibility and how to apply is found at https://www.grcc.edu/students/student-records/academic-forgiveness
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law protecting the privacy of student education records. GRCC is subject to federal regulations under FERPA and is committed to student privacy and access to their educational records as defined under the law.
More information maybe found on the Student Records web page: www.grcc.edu/studentrecords/studentrightsunderferpa
Code of Conduct
The mission of Grand Rapids Community College is to provide the community with learning opportunities that enable people to achieve their goals. In order to achieve its mission, the College must foster a secure learning environment by protecting people, property and processes. The Student Code of Conduct sets forth expectations for individuals who choose to become part of the College community.
More information maybe found on the Student Life web page: www.grcc.edu/studentlifeandconduct/studentconduct
The number of credit hours granted for a grade of E or higher is indicated in the description for each course. Each hour of credit is valued in honor points according to the grade received. I, W, and DR grades are not included in the grade point average calculations.
To determine grade point average, multiply the number of honor points of each grade received by the number of hours of credit for that course. E grades need to be calculated as attempted credits, using the above formula. Next, divide the total number of honor points by the total number of credit hours earned. A GPA calculator is available online at www.grcc.edu/registrarGPA.
Students are advised that many colleges and universities compute grade point average differently. Upon transfer to one of these institutions, the student’s grade point average might be recomputed and thus be lower than the GRCC grade point average.
Students are reminded that a 2.0 grade point average is required for graduation from Grand Rapids Community College.
No grade may be changed other than the I grade after the end of the semester during which the grade was earned unless an error occurred.
Students may choose to receive an audit grade of V for classes in which they enroll. Students may audit a class for enjoyment, for personal exploration, for gaining insight into a new subject, or for other reasons. Audit status does not count toward full-time enrollment or graduation. The course will appear on the student’s transcript.
Students pay full tuition for classes they audit and are expected to participate in all class activities. However, they are not compelled to take tests or examinations or to write term papers, but they may do so voluntarily.
Students may withdraw from a course and receive a W grade until the 70% date of course completion (as noted on the class roster) through the Online Center or at the Enrollment Center. After the 70% date, students may not initiate a course withdrawal or receive a W grade and the final course grade (A, B, C, D, or E) will be assigned based upon all graded and missed assignments. Instructors may not assign a W grade.
However, during the last 30% of a course, students who have a documented extenuating circumstance such as an illness or injury, or the illness, injury or death of a significant other or family member may apply for a Hardship Withdrawal (Late Semester Hardship Withdrawal policy).
A DR may be assigned by the Registrar’s office if a student ceases to attend a class in accordance with the Attendance Policy, or, other instances as determined by the Registrar’s office where an administrative withdrawal is required. There is no impact on the student’s GPA for receiving a W or DR grade in the Grand Rapids Community College grading system; however, other institutions may have different policies governing the impact of W or DR grades on transfer student acceptance and/or their calculated GPA. In addition, W or DR grades may have a negative impact on financial aid eligibility.
An incomplete grade of I may be temporarily assigned in the event of extenuating circumstances such as illness, injury, birth of a child, death of a family member, jury duty, or other situations that are beyond the control of the student and prevent completion of the course requirements during the semester. The following requirements must be met in order to receive an incomplete grade:
The coursework up to the time of the absence has been satisfactory, and in the instructor’s judgment, the student can complete the required work without repeating the course or attending any class sessions in subsequent semesters.
Approximately 90% of the course time has elapsed or coursework has been completed as determined by the instructor.
Once the coursework is completed or the allotted time lapsed, the instructor will make the grade change in the Online Center within 10 business days. If the course work is not completed and/or the instructor does not change the grade, the incomplete grade will default to a grade of E one year from the end date of the class. In the event of further unforeseen, extreme or unusual circumstances, a written appeal for an extension may be made to the Associate Dean of Hiring and Evaluation of the School where the course resides.
Blocking Late Enrollment
GRCC permits the late registration of students in classes until 11:59 pm on Friday following the start of the semester for classes that run the full length of the semester (14 weeks). GRCC permits the late registration of students in classes until 11:59pm on the second school day following the start of an accelerated session (any class meeting less than the full 14-week semester span). These dates are published on the Academic Calendar.
Missed class as a result of enrolling after the class begins still apply toward the 14-day absence rule and any course requirements. Students are responsible for contacting their instructors regarding absences in accordance with the attendance policy (8.8)
Catalog Year
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) students admitted as degree-seeking students are assigned the Catalog year in place during the semester they are admitted. This Catalog year is used to evaluate fulfilled graduation and academic program (major) requirements. The GRCC Catalog goes into effect at the beginning of the fall semester and expires after seven (7) years (Summer Semester).
Class Attendance
Each faculty member is required to create and make available a course syllabus which clearly and explicitly describes the course attendance policy. Faculty members are encouraged to create an attendance policy that takes into consideration anticipated (such as College-related activities, personal issues, etc.) and unanticipated (such as trauma, military duty, court appearances, etc.) absences.
Attendance policies must comply with the 14 day absence rule as defined by Department of Education (Title IV administration). When a student has not attended a course during a 14 calendar day period, this absence is reported by faculty to the institution, and this report would initiate a withdrawal of that student from said class. Faculty do not need to report an absence when a student is in communication and there is a shared understanding on how that student is making progress in the course.
Students are responsible for contacting their instructors regarding absences. Students must understand that they are responsible for class work missed during an absence, doing any extra work that may be required to replace in-class activities, and that missing class will impact student learning and may negatively impact grades. Each faculty member’s attendance policy, as stated in the course syllabus, is the final authority on any academic consequences associated with missing a class.
Attendance policies must take into consideration the need to comply with requirements of state and federal laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IV, and Title IX.
Each faculty member is required to maintain an accurate daily record of the attendance of each student enrolled in each of the faculty member’s classes. This record should include date of last attendance in the case of a student receiving an E or a W in the course.
Course Credit Hour Definition
Courses are the way in which the curricular content and experiences are delivered. Course formats are purposefully defined in the context of the goals and expectations of students and their learning. Courses have student learning outcomes and must meet the same learning outcomes regardless of delivery method (face-to-face, online, or hybrid) and location where offered. A credit hour gives value to an amount of work in the course.
For more informaton on the Definitions, vist the Glossary of Course Enrollment Terms at www.catalog.grcc.edu
Course Repetition
Students may repeat courses. Both the original course grade and the repeated course grade are entered into the student’s permanent record. Credit hours for graduation are recorded only once. If a student repeats a course, the transcript will show both grades, but will use only the credits and grade points associated with the higher grade for GPA computation.
Grade Reports
Grade reports are available to the student at the end of each semester and are accessible through the Online Center. Students needing assistance accessing their grades online may contact the Student Technology Help Desk. Student Records–Office of the Registrar will mail grades upon request. Transcripts, grade reports, and diplomas will not be distributed to students who have unpaid financial obligations to the College and other similar holds.
Generated Graduation Policy
Students will automatically be awarded the degrees and certificates that they earn at GRCC. Students will have the opportunity to decline these credentials.
Mandatory Student Orientation
All students new to GRCC who are seeking a degree or certificate are required to attend a mandatory New Student Advising and Registration (Orientation) session prior to enrollment in courses. Excluded from this policy are guest, personal interest, dual enrollment, early college, and students who transfer in 12 credits taken at another college. Students can select the orientation format that best fits their needs.
Max Student Credit Hour
Students who want to enroll in more than 18 credit hours in a semester must get permission from the appropriate Associate Dean (e.g. the AD for Faculty Evaluation and Hiring in the School which houses the student’s program or the course which takes the student over 18 credits).
Minimum Institutional Credit
Associate Degree - To be awarded an Associate’s Degree from Grand Rapids Community College, students must have earned a minimum of 15 credits through college-level course work within their program of study at GRCC.
Certificate - To be awarded a Certificate from Grand Rapids Community College, students must have earned a minimum of eight (8) credits through college-level course work within their program of study at GRCC.
*This policy does not apply to consortium agreements.
Multiple Degrees
The College recognizes that there are instances where students may require additional degrees and certificates for employment or for personal growth and satisfaction. This policy applies to any Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) student who has received a degree from GRCC. Students may be awarded additional associate degrees subject to the following stipulations:
A. The Associate of General Studies degree may not be earned as an additional degree.
B. No additional associate degree will be granted in programs that require the same Program Courses.
Prior Learning Assessment
Prior Learning Assessment is an alternative approach for analyzing prior learning in a non-academic setting and to grant credit for that learning in a non-academic setting.
Seminar Course Definition
Seminar courses employ instructional methods that work best among a small group of learners, such as, but not limited to, intensive discussion, reading primary literature, individual or group presentations, and/or learning special laboratory-based skills. Seminar courses are variable credit offerings. The credit hour allocation for each seminar topic is established by the instructor in the seminar topic proposal.
Transfer, Test, and Industry Recognized Credential Credit
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) awards college credit for students that have completed coursework at regionally accredited institutions, foreign institutions, external college-level tests, and industry recognized credentials.
For accepted credits for coursework, tests, and industry recognized credentials please visit Transfer Credit web page at: www.grcc.edu/studentrecords/transfercredit
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